BMF membership

The BMF is the only organisation that represents and protects the interests of builders’ merchants, plumbing, heating, roofing, decorative and timber merchants and their suppliers.  

We are the authoritative voice for the building materials distribution sector, conveying the views and issues that face merchants and suppliers, to the widest possible audience. 

The BMF is the only trade association representing and protecting the interests of builders’ merchants and suppliers to the merchanting industry in the UK. Total membership stands at 640 merchant and supplier companies (February 2018) who together have combined sales of £28bn and employ over 123,000 people in the building materials industry. BMF’s 340 merchant members operate in over 5,000 branches across the UK.  

Become a member


The BMF is the active hub of merchant and supplier activity in the UK working closely with allied industry groups and regulatory bodies such as trading standards and planning departments, to ensure that issues affecting member merchants and suppliers are tackled promptly and effectively. The BMF is an active lobbyist with local and central government in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and has an impressive track record of achievements.  

We are totally dedicated to the interests of our members, providing training and professional and knowledgeable support through services such as Credit Insurance Plus, Intelligent Employment Plus, Insurance Plus, Safety Plus, and Transport Plus, as well as organising key events where members can meet and exchange ideas with fellow merchants, suppliers, and leading industry figures. We work continually to ensure that merchants survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive and fast-developing market.  

So whether you are a large or small merchant or a supplier of building materials or services to merchants, then the BMF is the trade association for you.

Benefits of membership


Training and development

The BMF runs a comprehensive range of industry specific and specialist training courses that can be run regionally or “in-company” and are accredited as appropriate to national standards for employees of merchants, distributors and suppliers, from yard staff to company directors. Training ranges from on-line product knowledge to specialist skills training. The BMF also offers apprenticeships through its Apprenticeships Plus Apprentice Training Agency (ATA), the BMF Diploma in Merchanting for trainee managers and a Foundation Degree in Merchanting awarded by Birmingham City university. Courses include:

• Apprenticeships and NVQ’s
• BMF Diploma and Foundation Degree in Merchanting
• Distance Learning in Customer Care and Health and Safety (IOSH Certified)
• Transport training from CPC driver training to Transport for non Transport Managers
• One to four-day course in general management, staff development, operations, sales and management
• MOL product modules and BMF Campus on-line product training

The BMF has now introduced a Postgraduate Diploma in Merchant Leadership & Strategy for experienced managers that will be awarded by Birmingham City University and which can lead directly on to a Masters Degree.

The BMF are striving to recruit new talented young people into the merchanting sector in all areas ranging from yard work to sales and from manufacturing to marketing. The BMF has launched a dedicated website www.merchant-recruitment.co.uk to promote careers and jobs in merchanting and list job vacancies with BMF members. The website is also supported by promotion on social media and the BMF working in partnership with Jobcentre Plus.  

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Membership Types


Select the membership suitable for you from the list below: