Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
If an earthquake were to engulf England tomorrow, the English would meet and dine, somewhere among the rubbish, just to celebrate the event.
I’m giving myself, and you, gentle readers, a bit of a break from the usual whining about politicians and the pandemic this week.
Instead, allow me to indulge myself in a little self-promotion. Yes, with the BMN Awards finalised and the online presentations being prepared, it’s time to start thinking about that other major industry awards event – the BMJ Industry Awards for 2021.
Nominations are now open, so enter here: BMJ Industry Awards 2021
As with many things, the awards schedule has gone a little topsy-turvey in the last 12 months. So we have a new date, in the Autumn instead of the Spring, and are holding our event, not online as we were forced to do last year, but in person, in the flesh. With the UK vaccination programme rolling out ahead of schedule, I’ve got everything crossed that events will be back on schedule by the Autumn. Obviously, in the best spirit of ‘Hope for the best; plan for the worst’ we have contingency plans, however, we’re moving ahead with Plan A.
Plan A, a live, glittery awards lunch in London on Friday November 26th, will celebrate the very best that the industry has to offer. And it offers a lot that is the very best as we have seen in the last 12 months. We’re still tying up a few venue details, but as soon as the ink is dry, I’ll let everyone know. It will be in London and it will be somewhere nice and swanky. It’s the very least we deserve, after all we’ve been through last year.
The only industry awards event that is decided, not by a judging panel, but by the readers of BMJ, the people that work in the industry day in day out are the ones who really truly understand what best means in this context.
I’m thrilled that we have a whole range of categories that are open for your nominations:
- National Merchant – Sponsored by Hanson Cement
- Multiple Merchant (21 -100 branches) – Sponsored by Knauf Insulation
- Independent Merchant (8 – 20 branches) – Sponsored by Encon Insulation
- Small Merchant (1-8 branches) – Sponsored by SIG
- Merchant Bathroom & Kitchen Showroom – Sponsored by Lakes
- Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Sponsored by Mannok:
- Industry Personality of the Year – Sponsored by Wilson Brook Consulting
- Independent Rising Star – Sponsored by Xtratherm
- Merchant Marketing Initiative
- Ecommerce Initiative
- Timber Merchant
- Plumbing & Heating Merchant
- Merchant Showroom
- National Rising Star:
- Supplier Account Manager
- Heavyside Supplier
- Plumbing & Heating Supplier
- Landscaping Supplier
- Insulation Supplier
- Roofing Supplier
- Timber Supplier
- Decorating Supplier
- Distributor
- Bathroom Supplier
Champagne Reception – Sponsored by Brett Martin
A huge thank you to those sponsors who have come on board to support the industry with these awards and to those of you who’ve already made your nominations. I look forward to seeing who’s made the cut and, even more, I look forward to celebrating with everyone. Roll on November.
