INDUSTRY VOICE
BMF announces digitalisation initiative
The BMF has announced an exciting new initiative for 2020 which will help members seeking to digitalise their businesses. The BMF has partnered with the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) to develop and implement the ETIM open source data model for the standardisation and classification of product data in the UK. One of the key benefits of ETIM is that it removes ambiguity and ensures that all users of the product data are using the same terms to describe the same attributes and values. It streamlines the transfer of information, removes inefficiency in the supply chain and facilitates the transition to online trading.
ETIM is a tried and tested model that has been adopted by manufacturers and wholesalers in 20 countries across Europe and by the USA and Canada. Initially designed for the electro-technical market, it has expanded to include general building materials and heating, ventilation and plumbing products. It now includes a 3-D modelling version to provide digitalised data for BIM applications. BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “A straw-poll of our merchant
members found that 53% have difficulty in obtaining product data from their suppliers in an easily usable format, and 94% would value readily available and accurate product data.
“With a growing number already doing business online and 65%
BMF opens 30th Regional Centre of Excellence at Ideal Standard The BMF has launched its 30th Regional
Centre of Excellence at Ideal Standard at Clerkenwell in London, unveiling it during the Winter meeting of the BMF Young Merchants on 5 December. The BMF’s growing network of BMF Regional Centres of Excellence means training courses and regional meetings are now far more accessible to BMF members across the UK and Ireland. This BMF centre, based in Ideal Standard’s stunning new Clerkenwell Design and Specification centre, will serve BMF mem- bers in the London/South East region. Ideal Standard International includes the two most recognised and respected bathroom brands in the UK - Armitage Shanks and Ideal Standard. Together they form the leading manufacturer of bathroom and washroom products in the country and have a strong presence in every sector of the construction market. These resources mean the Company are able to combine expertise and experience with the latest manufacturing technology to deliver a range of high quality, high performance products. Katie Cope, Marketing Director at Ideal Standard comments “We are proud that our London centre is the 30th BMF
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Centre of Excel- lence, providing a place for their members to meet, train and network. Investing in skills is incredibly impor- tant
to the ongoing strength of the merchant sector, the investment and support that the BMF is able to offer to members of all sizes is central to the values of the organisation.” John Newcomb, BMF CEO, said: “This is an excellent centre and we are extremely grateful that Ideal Standard are opening the centre to our members too, as localisation is an important strategy for the BMF. We look forward to holding future meetings and training courses here for members in the region.”
planning to launch or increase sales from online platforms during the next two years the need for high quality, consistent and updatable digital data is set to escalate. Supporting the introduction of ETIM within our sector fits well with the BMF’s mission to help members build excellence within their business.”
NMBS has also declared its support for ETIM as the most appropriate data model for the standardisation and classification of technical product data for its members.
The BMF will begin the process of implementation from January. David Bate, who performed a similar role for EDA, has been appointed BMF’s ETIM-UK Project Manager. He will lead a number of ETIM Standardisation Working Groups, drawing together expertise from BMF members involved in different product areas, and drive the UK roll- out of the ETIM Classification model for building materials and HVAC through the UK supply chain, comprising manufacturers, merchants, specifiers, contractors and installers. For more information please contact
dave.bate@
bmf.org.uk.
BMF DIARY DATES
JANUARY 15 BMF Ireland regional meeting, Xtratherm, Navan 24 BMF Burns Supper, Double Tree Hilton, Dunblane 28 BMF Transport & Distribution Forum, BMF, Coventry
FEBRUARY 12-13 UK Construction Week Summits - Marketing & Belonging, CentrEd, ExCel, London
MARCH 18 BMF Marketing Forum, JCB, Rochester 19 BMF South West regional meeting, RGB, Tiverton 24-25 BMF Branch Managers’ Forum BMF, Coventry 31 BMF Civils & Drainage Forum, Geberit, Warwick
APRIL 22 NMBS Exhibition, Ricoh Arena, Coventry 24 BMF Anglia regional meeting, Ridgeons, Pampisford 28 BMF Decorative Forum, PPG Architectual Coatings, Batley 30 BMF/JCB Charity Golf Day, JCB Golf Course, Rochester
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 UK Construction Week, NEC Birmingham 7 BMF Young Merchant Conference, NEC, Birmingham 15-17 UFEMAT Conference, London
To book your place or for more information about BMF events visit
wwww.bmf.org.uk/events
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net January 2020
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