Benefits of BMF membership
The BMF is the authoritative voice of the industry representing merchants and suppliers within the industry with one collective voice.
There are 5 good reasons to join the BMF as a Member:
1. Training and development
2. Business support
3. Access to market data
4. Networking opportunities
5. Political representation
The BMF runs a comprehensive range of industry specific and specialist
training courses that can be run regionally or “in-company” and are
accredited as appropriate to national standards for employees of merchants and suppliers, from yard
staff to company directors. Training ranges from on-line product
knowledge to specialist skills training. The BMF also offers formal
qualifications including government subsidised NVQ Level 2 and 3
Apprenticeships, the BMF Diploma in Merchanting for trainee managers and
a Foundation Degree in Merchanting awarded by the University of the
West of England. Courses include:
• Apprenticeships and NVQ’s
• BMF Diploma and Foundation Degree in Merchanting
• Post Graduate Diploma leading to Master’s Degree
• Distance Learning in Customer Care and Health and Safety (IOSH Certified)
• Transport training from CPC driver training to Fleet Manager refresher
• One to four-day course in general management, staff development, operations, sales and management
• MOL product modules and BMF Campus on-line product training
The BMF has now introduced a Postgraduate Diploma in Merchant Leadership
& Strategy for experienced managers that will be awarded by
Birmingham City University and which can lead directly on to a Masters
Degree.
The BMF are striving to recruit new talented young people into the building materials supply sector in all areas ranging from yard work to sales and from
manufacturing to marketing. The BMF has launched a dedicated website
http://www.buildingmaterialscareers.com to promote careers and jobs in
merchanting and list job vacancies with BMF members. The website is also
supported by promotion on social media and the BMF working in
partnership with Jobcentre Plus.
The BMF is a ‘one’ stop shop with relevant and expert information,
advice and support on helping run your business more efficiently and
profitably. Member services include:
• BMF Model Trade Conditions of Sale & Purchase
• Legal Helpline
• Business Guides
• Staff Awareness Guides
The BMF works with insurance brokers and solicitors who have particular
expertise in the merchanting sector and we also offer support services
on Health & Safety, Transport, Credit Insurance and Employment. You
will receive regular communications from us in the form of:
• Monthly BMF Business e-news
• One Voice magazine
• Regular email updates on Forums, meetings, training courses, etc.
• A visit at least once a year from your BMF Regional Manager
The BMF provides a wide range of statistical business reports including:
• Builders Merchants Building Index including Monthly Sales Indicators •
Remuneration Survey • KPI report • Quarterly industry specific product
category data based on merchants own sales out data, provided by
industry experts GFK
A whole range of networking opportunities and events are available
throughout the year for you to become involved in, share your views with
fellow merchants as well as suppliers, feed your ideas back to us at
the BMF, and raise issues of concern to you. These include:
• Regional
meetings, which include merchants and suppliers
• Specialist
functionally specific Forums for Branch Managers, Health and Safety
Executives, Security, HR, Finance and Marketing Directors and Managers
•
Sector specific Forums for Plumbing and Heating and Timber
• Annual BMF
Members’ Day and Awards Dinner
• Bi annual All-Industry Overseas
Conference
The BMF provides an authoritative, co-ordinated and collective voice for
the builders’ merchant trade. We provide the collective perspective
because we advance, defend or support the interests of our members and
we fight to ensure merchants’ way of working is recognised and
protected. We arrange visits from local MPs and local Government
officials to merchant members’ premises. The BMF offers reputable,
balanced and convincing input to inform strategy, policy and funding
options for Government and regulatory bodies and to protect our members’
interests against unwelcome or unworkable regulations.
The BMF collaborates with a number of major industry partners such as
the CBI, CPA and the FMB to further the interests of the building
material industry. We explore common aims, forge alliances and conduct
joint assignments to channel members’ interests with other trade
associations, professional societies and environmental or consumer
groups.