COVENTRY: The Totally Shows will welcome the Builders' Merchants Federation (BMF) as first-time exhibitors to the shows next February, said show organiser, Brintex.
BMF managing director John Newcomb said: "This will be our first time exhibiting at the show and we are looking forward to talking to as many companies as possible. We are always very keen to talk to different audiences and promote the work the BMF does and how it can benefit their company through being a member, as well as bringing merchants and suppliers together in different forums building good, stable, relationships."
Paul Grinsell, exhibition director of Brintex, said: "The BMF's interest in the show is indicative of the crossover that exists between DIY and trade products. Keen DIY-ers like to trade up to professional products, and many of our exhibitors supply into both market sectors. We're looking forward to working with the BMF to encourage their current members to attend. We are confident that they will find plenty to keep them interested at the show."
The Totally DIY & Totally Tools shows are supported by all the industry trade bodies and wholesalers including the British Independent Retailers Association (bira) and its buying arm BHF Direct, the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA), the Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association (GIMA) and wholesale groups Stax, Home Hardware and MICA.
The mix of suppliers for next year's exhibitor list contains many of the finalists from the recent DIY Week Awards, including Everbuild Building Products, DK Tools Am-tech, Draper Tools, Gorilla Glue, Mykal, Vitax, Vitrex and Yale.
New companies exhibiting at the show include Spanish door furniture and hardware supplier Nesu sl, the Parkett Freund brand from German company SGH Metall, a leading supplier of profile systems, installation, repair and care products for parquet and laminate floors and stairs and Power Adhesive, which will be showing its PackPoint and Shoulder Dolly brands.
Other recent stand renewals include JMS Bridge, Procter Brothers and The Specialist Group, which are joining already confirmed brands LG Harris, Liberon, Rollins & Sons, Rothley, Rustins, SIKA UK and Silverline Tools to exhibit at the show's new home, the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
Visitors to the show always look forward to browsing the shows' popular New Product Zone, which this year will also be taking a look back at the heritage of our modern DIY tools, by including a display of historic hand and power tools.
A new initiative for the 2013 shows will see all retail and trade buyer visitors being offered a free, hot sit-down lunch during their trip to the show. Exhibitors have been asked to nominate their key customers and potential customers to receive a free lunch invite.
Furthermore, the shows have confirmed that a two day programme of free seminars, designed to give visitors and exhibitors the opportunity to catch up on key industry data and issues from leading industry representatives is currently being finalised and will be publicised soon
The Totally DIY & Totally Tools shows will run for three days from Sunday, February 10 to Tuesday, February 12 in the Jaguar Hall at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry.
Online registration for visitors is now live on the shows' site and is being supported by a major advertising campaign across trade press.
