Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has agreed to provide a full secretariat service for the Institute of Builders Merchants (IOBM) in a move to further strengthen the relationship between the two organisations.
The latest arrangement, which is effective from 1 February 2015, means that the BMF will undertake all administrative duties for the Institute including membership renewals, meeting arrangements and minute taking, and promoting Institute events.
The IOBM has been based at the BMF’s HQ, Elliot Court in Coventry, since September 2013.
The BMF will host the IOBM’s AGM on 12 March, at Elliot Court, when Allan Durning will take over as the Institute’s President.
BMF MD, John Newcomb, said: “The IOBM has been based at the BMF’s offices for the last 15 months during which time we have developed a close working relationship. It is clear that our two organisations share common goals and it makes sense to maximise administrative efficiencies to achieve those objectives. We are looking forward to working even more closely and to helping the IOBM to provide the services their members require going forward.”
The IOBM is the professional body for individuals in the merchant industry. While the BMF represents merchant and supplier companies, the IOBM represents the individuals whose skills and professionalism helps those companies to succeed.
The two organisations will also work together to develop and expand the IOBM’s programme of Practical Building Skills Challenge Events around the regions. The Challenge involves merchant teams pitting their building skills against each other, and is designed to offer merchant staff a taste of some of the main building trades. The event includes instruction by building professionals on each task to develop the participants’ knowledge.
Steve Sellick, the IOBM’s outgoing President, said: “We are extremely pleased that the BMF has agreed to provide a professional secretariat for the IOBM, which will help us to better support the needs of our members and to grow our membership.”
