Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Builders merchants E H Smith, Harlow, Huws Gray and LBS have been nominated for the title BMF Training Company of the Year 2021, part of the annual member awards made by the Builders Merchants Federation.
Nominated by BMF Regional Managers, who work closely with members in their area to satisfy training and other service requirements, the four shortlisted companies were selected for their commitment in supporting and developing their teams through their use of BMF training.
E H Smith uses a range of class-room based and online learning programmes, including the Maximising Margin programme, which has run across all branches and a management training programme for branch managers.
Timber specialists, Harlow run face to face courses on sales and people management, offer virtual training in computer skills and subscribe to BMF Campus, which enables staff to access online product and technical learning modules tailored to their job role.
Huws Gray have worked with the BMF to develop a bespoke training programmes and an in-house BMF Diploma in Merchant Management group. They have also created their own online Academy Platform with BMF’s training partner Cortexa and have committed to taking on new apprentices in the coming year.
LBS have also developed their own Academy Platform with BMF’s training partner, Cortexa. In addition, they have made a significant investment in sales and management training running group programmes for the BMF Diploma in Merchant Management, the BMF Certificate in Merchant Management and an ISM Essential Sales Management course tailored to the specific needs of their team.
BMF CEO, John Newcomb said: “We rested our Training Award last year during the worst of the Covid pandemic, but it is clear to see that there is still a huge appetite amongst our members to develop their teams, no matter what the external circumstances. The four companies chosen by BMF Regional Managers have all maintained, or increased, their investment in developing staff at all levels. I am delighted that they are making full use of the broad range of formal and specialist training offered by the BMF. Whoever wins the title, each of the nominated merchants are clearly winning in terms of building excellence within their own business.”
The overall winner will be announced at the BMF Members’ Day Awards Dinner, which takes place after the BMF Members’ Day Annual Conference on 23 September 2021
