Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
With around a fifth of general merchant business comprising timber & wood products, maximizing sales opportunities in the category is key to profitability. With this in mind, the Builders Merchants Federation has embarked on a strategic partnership with British timber promotion campaign Grown in Britain, to help BMF members extend their customer choice and business opportunities.
“One of our core functions as a Federation is to help members to market their businesses,” says BMF Managing Director John Newcomb. “British timber is already present in merchant yards yet is not necessarily highlighted to customers as a buying choice. To grow merchants’ wood business, both pre- and post-Brexit, our partnership with Grown in Britain will give members information and ideas for making the most of the British timber in their supply chains,” John Newcomb adds.
Grown in Britain was formed in 2013. It runs a special Grown in Britain Week which this year coincides with UK Construction Week in October. One of its achievements is a timber procurement preference statement in favour of British-grown timber from major contractors.
CEO Dougal Driver relates: “We will be enabling
BMF merchant members to sell British-grown timber with confidence, providing the latest information and promotional guidance. There has been vast investment in producing British timber in the past 20 years, with mills here operating to the same or higher standards than those in northern Europe. Whilst challenging perceptions we’ll be helping merchants to take full business advantage.”
Grown in Britain will be addressing the BMF Timber Forum on 22nd June. Further information, including a new leaflet specifically for merchants with information on the market for British-grown timber, will be available at www.growninbritain.org or by contacting enquiries@growninbritain.org
