The challenge continues

by John Newcomb, BMF Chief Executive
18 August 2017

Coming just days after the General Election, the theme of our recent Conference, Change Challenge and Opportunity, could hardly have been more appropriate. The feedback from delegates confirmed that the speakers’ thought-provoking presentations continued to resonate as the attendees returned to business back home.

In times of rapid change, It is more important than ever for the industry to have opportunities like this to come together to consider not only the issues affecting them today but also those about to come over the horizon. It will be interesting to see what the talking points are next summer when the industry meets on the stunning shores of Lake Maggiore for the NMBS All Industry Conference 2018.

Staying on track

Over the last five years the BMF has developed and implemented a strategy that has seen positive benefits for every sector of the building materials supply industry. The result has been a surge in membership amongst general and specialist merchants and their suppliers of every size and in every part of the country. In July, we welcomed our 600th member, swelling our numbers to their highest since 1995.

This is a significant milestone. As the fourth largest construction trade organisation in the UK our views are increasingly sought by policy makers at every level of government. Our voice is also receiving greater exposure in both mainstream and digital media, helping to build wider understanding of the merchant industry

As our membership grows we need to ensure that the BMF continues to meet their needs. The BMF Board is tasked with challenging the status quo and making sure that our strategy is fit for purpose. BMF board members serve a maximum term of six years and three new directors attended their first board meeting in July, which, coincidentally, met for the first time in Northern Ireland. As we move forward holding board meetings in our new BMF Regional Centres of Excellence around the UK will help us to keep in touch with the wider BMF membership.

Our three new directors, Andrew Harrison of Travis Perkins plc, Shanker Patel of Lords Group and Ian Haldane of the Haldane Shiells Group, bring a wide range of experience to the board and their varied backgrounds are in keeping with the BMF’s broad membership. Ian and Shanker have both overseen major growth within family-owned businesses operating in distinct areas. Andrew has served in senior roles in both a large regional operation and in the UK’s largest merchant business. In his latest role, as Deputy CEO of TP's Plumbing and Heating Division, he will also add to the BMF’s understanding of a fast-growing cohort within our membership.

Celebrating success

This year, for the first time, we partnered with the FMB’s Master Builder of the Year Awards, to identify some of the best merchants in the country. The Master Builder of the Year Awards celebrate the work of small and medium sized builders who have demonstrated excellence both in their standard of work and their customer service. Similarly, the BMF Builders Merchant Award turns the spotlight on local merchants who have focused on customer service to drive new business growth. We were delighted with the response and the quality of the entries and along with the FMB, we had a hard task selecting the six regional winners, listed below:

Midlands                            E H Smith
North                                  Milford Building Supplies
Northern Ireland              Haldane Fisher
South                                  Parker Building Supplies
Scotland                             Beatsons Building Supplies
Wales                                LBS Builders Merchants

We wish them all luck as they go forward to the national final. The overall winner will be announced at an Award Ceremony on 15 September and the BMF will be there, along with the six finalists, to celebrate their success.

This article appeared in the July/August 2017 edition of Builders' Merchants News