The Builders Merchant Federation (BMF) is witnessing a membership upswing, with 18 new members joining the industry trade body in the last few months.
The surge in new members is a ringing endorsement of the BMF’s current plans and its vision for the future says BMF managing director, John Newcomb. “We are delighted that so many new companies are choosing to join the BMF, and equally delighted to welcome back those companies who are rejoining. It’s a real vote of confidence in our new approach, and even more so as this is not the result of a concerted membership drive. Our priority during this period has been membership retention but we have clearly struck a chord with the wider industry.
“I’m even more delighted that the companies joining us are drawn from both merchants and suppliers. The BMF has to be a fully inclusive trade federation representing the interests of independent and national merchants and the companies that supply them. We are now starting to build the critical mass that the BMF needs in order to be the authoritative voice of the whole merchant industry.”
The new supplier members include Monument Tools, manufacturing professional tools for plumbing, roofing and drainage, Hamilton Acorn, a long established brand for painting, decorating tools and paint brushes and Velux roof windows, one of the most famous and well recognised brands in the building materials industry.
New merchant members include Cartmore Building Supplies, Crossling, Grant & Stone, Lawsons, Martin & Partners Builders & Plumbers Merchants, Sydenhams, 3 Counties Timber & Building Supplies, and Willbond.
Martin & Partners Builders & Plumbers Merchants, Northampton’s largest independent, is typical of returning independent merchants. Said managing director, David Dickens: “We are very pleased to be renewing our membership of the BMF. With all the changes taking place and the new plans going forward, it's an exciting time for the BMF, its members and our industry. We are looking forward to being involved and playing our part for the benefit of the BMF and the industry as a whole."
