The Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) has welcomed three new experts to its panel of industry commentators in the Q4 2015 report: Keith Ellis, commercial director of Hanson Cement, speaking for cement and aggregates, Derrick McFarland, managing director of Keystone Lintels, and Steve Halford, managing director of Crystal Direct, speaking for PVC-U windows and doors.

They join BMBI’s founder experts Andy Williamson, UK group managing director IKO representing roofing, and Steve Durdant-Hollamby, managing director of Alumasc Water Management Solutions, speaking for civils, metal rainwater and drainage.

The BMBI is a new monthly index of builders’ merchant sales, with quarterly reports and expert commentary that explain market trends, markets and the issues that affect them. Launched in 2015 by MRA Marketing, under the aegis of the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF), it fills a gap in the UK’s measures of building activity. It’s based on gold-standard quality data from GfK’s Generalist Merchant Panel. With input from national and regional builders’ merchants accounting for over 80% of industry sales, no other indicator in construction is as comprehensive, up to date or reliable.

The experts speak exclusively for their markets, and are an integral part of the Index, helping to make sense of trends for users of BMBI. They explain issues and opportunities in their markets, and where appropriate make the case for or against legislation, industry schemes or government policy.

John Newcomb, managing director of the BMF, said: “Awareness of BMBI is building rapidly and we’re pleased to welcome the new experts to the Index. BMBI provides reliable trend data, and is an excellent platform to build awareness of our industry and position these expert brands as the leading voices in their markets. Filling an important gap, it will be widely used in construction, and by economists, government, national media commentators and influencers outside the industry.”