Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
The Builders Merchants Federation is developing a Wellness Programme for BMF members designed to ensure that merchant and supplier members’ staff are physically fit for the future and adequately protected from the stresses and strains of corporate life.
The initiative, with Dr Dorian Dugmore, an internationally recognised expert in the treatment and prevention of heart disease, stems directly from Dugmore’s presentation at the All-Industry Conference in Portugal last month.
The BMF is also talking to Garry McDonald, Procurement Director at national house builder, Miller Homes, who told conference delegates that his company wanted to do more business with independent merchants.
The BMF will work with Miller Homes to facilitate their relationship with a pool of independent merchants around the country.
BMF managing director, John Newcomb said: “Some 340 merchants and suppliers attended the Conference and their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We wanted to deliver a Conference that challenged people’s perceptions and encouraged different ways of thinking, and to demonstrate that the BMF itself is Fit for the Future and able to lead from the front. Looking at the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received, I believe we achieved that aim.
“The industry has seen that the BMF is a very different organisation. We signed up another two new merchant members and one supplier member at the Conference, as well as launching a new buying group membership scheme with IBC that could add up to 100 additional BMF merchant members within the next 12 months, taking our total membership to almost 450. Now our challenge is to build on the success of the Conference with tangible initiatives, such as those we are discussing with Dr Dorian Dugmore and Miller Homes, and with all the ingredients now in place, there will be plenty more from the BMF later in the coming year.”
