Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Builders merchants trade association, the Builders Merchants Federation now has 751 members, its highest number since the early 1990s. That’s according to figures revealed at the BMF’s first Virtual AGM and Conference, held online on Thursday September 17th.
BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “Your support means that we now have just under 400 members members who operate from 5700 branches and account for 85% of the total merchant sector. We also represent over 350 supplier service and associate distributor members so collectively we have a combined turnover of £38bn. And we present some of the biggest and best-known brands in the industry.”
Newcomb detailed the BMF’s progress the Project Excellence programme, the new strategic roadmap centred on the concept of building excellence in building materials supply, which was first revealed at last year’s Members Day.
Part of the project is a new way of segmenting members so that they can be targeted according to their differing needs for membership and member services. Three of the six distinct groups have little or no active involvement with the BMF and its member services, so these are the groups which will be targeted first, Newcomb said.
“The BMF has developed a range of specific marketing materials for each of these groups, offering a wide range of materials, led by member advocates to help low engagers recognise their peers and how they are driving value through their membership.
“This is all about how we build value for our individual members. The more you use it, the better the BMF gets.”
Newcomb also detailed the work the BMF continues to do with the Construction Leadership Council to help the industry work through the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes sitting on working parties and getting involved in the Construction Talent Retention Scheme.
“There is no question that as an industry we will face significant challenges and changes in a world post-Covid and a world post-Brexit, but I am absolutely convinced that by not only working together as a trade association but in in the wider eco system of the construction industry we can rise to meet those challenges,” he said.
