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 (BMF), is working with Miller Homes on a national supply initiative.
The aim is to identify a regional network of BMF merchant members with the capacity to supply the national housebuilder, which spends around £30m a year on building materials through the merchant sector.
Garry McDonald, Miller Homes’ procurement & sustainability director said: “At this stage we want to establish whether or not there is sufficient appetite from the BMF membership to consider a more cohesive and value driven approach in relation to Miller Homes’ £30m annual distributor spend.”
BMF managing director John Newcomb said: “This is a fantastic commercial opportunity for BMF merchant members. Many national builders, including Miller deal extensively on a direct basis with manufacturers through large national merchant groups, but Miller would like to explore the feasibility of what a new supply chain might have to offer.
“This is an excellent opportunity for our members to demonstrate the benefits of a regional distribution network and we are delighted to be working with Miller Homes to oversee the process.”
The BMF will be facilitating a four-phase tendering process the results of which will be available in Q1 2014. In the first instance, BMF members are invited to submit a formal expression of interest to become Miller Homes merchant panel members. A list of suitable candidates will then be invited to present to Miller Homes on the value they believe they can add to the supply chain. These presentations will take place at the BMF’s offices. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to submit prices in a competitive tender situation, to be completed in December. If this proves to be advantageous to Miller Homes, there will be period of engagement with the successful merchants to assess how any new supply chain arrangements can be implemented.
BMF members who want to participate in the tendering process should contact John Newcomb at the BMF for more information.
