The Builders Merchants Federation’s (BMF) Building Materials Forecast reports signs of hope for the building materials sector and forecasts improvements in late 2024. In the short-term, the BMF states that affairs could improve and there could be an annual growth of 0.4% for 2024 – increasing to 1% in 2025. …
Read More »Michael Gove unveils plans to reform housing and planning
Michael Gove has unveiled his plans to reform housing and planning; the Builders Merchants Federation’s (BMF) CEO, John Newcomb, was in attendance to listen to the Secretary of State for Levelling up, Housing and Communities at the RIBA head office in London. In his speech Gove said he was “confident” …
Read More »Crystal-Direct returns to the BMF
Crystal-Direct has rejoined the Builders Merchants Federation and is looking forward to working with the Federation and supporting merchant members in 2024. The Crystal brand is well known in the merchant sector, having manufactured PVCu windows and doors at its Hertfordshire base for 30 years. Its A+ rated products are …
Read More »BMF shortlisted for two Trade Association Forum Awards
The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has been shortlisted in two categories of the prestigious Trade Association Forum (TAF) Awards. The BMF is shortlisted for Trade Association of the Year and Best Association / Supplier Partnership. BMF CEO, John Newcomb, said: “We are constantly striving to ensure our members gain value …
Read More »BMF CEO says Autumn statement “missed opportunity”
BMF CEO, John Newcomb, has welcomed the announcement to make full expensing permanent but highlights that the government has missed several opportunities. These opportunities include: the chance to create new jobs and boost local growth; failing to support a national retrofit strategy which would have improved the energy efficiency of …
Read More »NMBS achieves apprenticeship milestone
NMBS has achieved its target to recruit 60 apprentices in its 60th Anniversary year – and is now set on reaching 100 new recruits by February 2024. The apprentices are studying at NMBS members including Gardner and Scardifield Ltd, YARD Direct and Silverton Builders Merchants Ltd, as well as other …
Read More »BMF’s Kerry Wilson joins RCI Panel Discussion on Skills Gap
Kerry Wilson, learning and development manager at the Builders Merchants Federation, will take part in an important panel discussion at the RCI Show discussing how we close the skills gap and recruit new blood into the industry – the show takes place on October 19 at the MK Stadium in …
Read More »BMF claims 78% of suppliers see sustainability as important
A report by the BMF to establish the current state of sustainability in the building materials sector has revealed a disparity between the BMF’s supplier and merchant members. It found that 78% of suppliers place sustainability in the top three priorities for their business, and are leveraging it as a …
Read More »Leading organisations launch Construction Inclusion Coalition
Leading organisations in the construction industry, representing over 250,000 workers, have launched a coalition that aims to tackle a lack of diversity across the industry. The Construction Inclusion Coalition has been established by CEOs at organisations including Aliaxis, Baxi, Bradfords, Highbourne Group, Ibstock PLC, Knauf, Travis Perkins PLC, Wavin, Wolseley, …
Read More »Chief Economist to speak at BMF Annual Conference
The Builders Merchant Federation announces that James Sproule, chief economist of Handelsbanken UK, has been confirmed to speak at the BMF Members’ Annual Conference on 21 September. Sproule is an adviser to a wide range of the bank’s clients, as well as being an integral part of the bank’s broader …
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