The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has announced the nominations for a new award to be presented at its annual Members Conference and Awards.

The award, for the Most Engaged Builders Merchant, highlights and celebrates those merchants who go above and beyond in their involvement with the BMF, helping to drive the industry forward through their active participation and leadership.

The inaugural nominees are Bradfords Building Supplies, Browns Builders Merchants, Chandler Material Supplies, Harlow Timber Group and the Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG).

Bradfords Building Supplies

Bradfords has consistently demonstrated strong support for the BMF and regularly participates in a wide range of industry conferences, forums, and events. Managing Director David Young is the South West Regional Chair of the BMF and has recently stepped down as Chair of the Bricks, Blocks, and Landscaping Forum. COO Lee Harwood currently sits on the BMF Board, while Giles Bradford is Chair of the Sustainability Forum and Sustainability Working Group, and Jonathan Chard is Chair of the Product Data Standardisation Working Group.  The company has also contributed to the Health & Safety Working Group.

Browns Builders Merchants

Browns has demonstrated outstanding engagement across all areas, from their support for apprenticeships and talent development through the IoBM to their regular attendance at meetings and events, several of which they help organise. Their recently retired Managing Director, Jim Parlato, served as the Central Regional Chair for several years, and Ed Parlato is the current Chair of the Young Merchant Group. The company also actively contributes to the Product Data Standardisation Working Group.

Chandler Material Supplies

Chandler Material Supplies exemplifies a family-run business that prioritises training, upskilling, and staff development, while also giving back to the industry through leadership, engagement, and a strong commitment to people. Ben Chandler is the Anglia Region Chair. The company consistently participates in BMF initiatives, regularly contributes to Sector Forums, welcomes MP visits, utilises BMF Business Services, promotes apprenticeships, supports the BMF Young Merchant Group and the IoBM, and actively endorses the BMCareers website.  

Harlow Timber Group

Harlow Timber Group is involved in a range of activities. Neil Sabey, Managing Director, serves on the BMF Board, Alan Harvey, Transport Director, Chairs the Transport & Distribution Forum, and team members contribute to the Health & Safety and Transport & Distribution Working Groups. The company champions apprenticeships, nurtures talent at every level, and has invested in a comprehensive management development programme.  Their engagement is further evidenced by recent MP visits, regular participation in forums, regional meetings and conferences, and continued support for BMF initiatives, including Business Services, the IoBM and Construct Zero.

IBMG

IBMG is engaged across multiple facets of the BMF’s work, underscoring their commitment to the building materials sector.  CEO Martin Stables serves as a BMF Board Member, and CFO, Richard Robinson, chairs its Finance Forum. Beyond these leadership roles, IBMG regularly participates in regional meetings, sector forums and conferences, and contributes to initiatives such as the Health & Safety Working Group and the Product Data Standardisation Project. The company actively supports the BMCareers website and the BMF Apprenticeship Pledge and consistently engages with BMF Business Services. Their comprehensive engagement exemplifies commitment to collaboration, best practice, and the long-term sustainability of the industry.

Commenting on the nominations, John Newcomb, BMF CEO, said: “This may be a new Award, but it is a very important one. The BMF exists to serve and work with its members for the benefit of our sector.  

"Member Engagement is one of the BMF’s core strategic priorities, and we currently track over 42 distinct engagement measures, spanning a wide variety of involvement, to monitor and assess participation.

"Put simply, those who engage the most gain the best value from their membership, so whichever one of our five nominees takes the Award, all are winners.”

The annual BMF Members Conference and Awards takes place on 18 September at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham.