INDUSTRY VOICE
Minister acknowledges Building Materials Industry’s net zero carbon role
Nadhim Zahawi MP, the Minister for Business and Industry has acknowledged the vital role the building materials industry will play in the development and delivery of new technologies that will significantly reduce carbon emissions, to help deliver the Government’s net zero target by 2050. Mr Zahawi was speaking at the BMF’s Parliamentary Innovation Reception at the House of Commons on 29 October, which showcased some of the latest products developed by the BMF’s supplier members. Thirteen companies were on hand to show how they use materials science and process technology to develop low-carbon solutions, increase resource efficiency and improve product performance. Paying tribute to the innovations that BMF members have developed, Mr Zahawi said: “Whether it is to improve insulation, to develop new applications for traditional products, reduce the environmental impact of buildings or products and processes, or bringing to market emerging technologies such as heat pumps, BMF members are playing a leading role in improving the productivity and international competitiveness of the sector in the UK.”
The BMF’s industry and parliamentary programme actively engages with politicians from all parties throughout the year, representing members’ interests on relevant issues of the day and demonstrating the role they play in the construction supply chain.
Addressing the Parliamentary Innovation Reception, BMF CEO John Newcomb stressed the need for the building materials sector to shine a spotlight on its investment in innovation and the contribution this makes to the country’s economy. John Newcomb said: “We are aware that Construction and, in particular, the Building Materials sector has for far too long flown under the radar. Despite the importance of a sector that is overwhelmingly based in the UK, directly provides jobs for hundreds of thousands of people and is critical to the future economic success of the country, our industry is often overlooked by Government, perceived as “old fashioned” and lacking innovation. Collectively we need to address this error and this event is part of that process of change. “It is, therefore, extremely gratifying to hear Mr Zahawi praise the innovation he has seen today. Our desire is to work with Government to harness the current investment in innovation within the building materials sector to help to deliver the jobs and growth that we will need in a post-Brexit economy.” The BMF thanks UK Construction Week for their Headline sponsorship of this event and our supplier sponsors: ACO, Aliaxis, BSW Group, Crystal Direct, Fernox, Grundfos, Ibstock, JCB, Marsh Industries, Rockwool, Talasey, Velux and Worcester Bosch.
Welsh procurement consultation
BMF Wales has responded vigorously to the Welsh Government's consultation on public sector procurement. SME merchants have a poor experience of the tendering process and there is a long-held dissatisfaction that procurement and framework agreements do not offer a level playing field to regional businesses.
Many merchants have walked away from the process, complaining that it is too cumbersome, requiring excessive amounts of documentation to support or validate tender bids. They also claim that they are encouraged to take part simply for Welsh Government
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to tick a box to say they have been given the opportunity. Mr Mike Jones, Managing Director of C L Jones Ltd, based in Bethesda, Gwynedd said: "We are not looking for favours; all we want is a level playing field. If the aim of procurement is to help generate the regional economy, well it's not working." The consultation, which
is being examined by the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills committee, has also generated strong responses, including from the Federation of Master Builders Cymru and Civil Engineering Contractors Association Cymru. Members have already attended workshops on what is supposed to be a much simpler process of tendering for the new Building Materials Framework, but only time will tell. BMF Wales has also been involved in the launch of Welsh Government's Self Build Scheme due to be launched in February. For more information, please contact David Harding at dh@
hardingpr.co.uk.
BMF DIARY DATES
2020 JANUARY 8 BMF Bricks, Blocks & Landscaping Forum, JCB, Rocester
14 BMF Roofing & Insulation Forum, BMF, Coventry
24 BMF Burns Supper, Double Tree Hilton, Dunblane
28 BMF Transport & Distribution Forum, BMF, Coventry
MARCH 18 BMF Marketing Forum, JCB, Rocester
19 BMF South West regional meeting, RGB, Tiverton
24-25 BMF Branch Managers’ Forum, BMF, Coventry
25-26 RCI Show, Ricoh Arena, Coventry
APRIL 22
24
NMBS Exhibition, Ricoh Arena, Coventry
BMF Anglia regional meeting, Ridgeons, Pampisford
28 BMF Decorative Forum, PPG Architectural Coatings, Batley
30 BMF/JCB Charity Golf Day, JCB Golf Course, Rocester
JULY 9 Bob Beaver Memorial Shoot, Royal Berkshire Shooting Ground
10-12 BMF Mastermerchant, Ambleside
SEPTEMBER 16-17 BMF Annual Conference & Awards, DeVere Beaumont Estate, Windsor
30 BMF Marketing Forum, BMF, Coventry
OCTOBER 6-8
7
UK Construction Week, NEC Birmingham
BMF Young Merchant Conference. NEC, Birmingham
15-17 UFEMAT Conference, London
To book your place or for more information about BMF events visit
www.bmf.org.uk/events
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net December 2019
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