INDUSTRY VOICE
BMBI wins Best use of Research & Insight Award at the CMAs
BMBI WINS BEST use of research insight The Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI), a joint enterprise between GfK, the BMF and MRA Marketing, has won the ‘Best Use of Research & Insight’ award at this year’s Construction Marketing Awards (CMAs). A finalist in no fewer than four CMA categories in the 2020 awards, BMBI’s latest win highlights the continued success of the index and its stakeholders’ commitment to improving each year.
Over the past year, usage of the BMBI report within the construction sector has increased substantially, and it has also become more visible to people outside of the industry. The index now reaches decision-makers, advisors and influencers; economists; analysts and commentators; and in the past twelve months it has obtained extensive coverage in national and trade media, with over 200 press appearances for BMBI and its panel of experts.
“The success of the BMBI has
quarterly analysis and interpretation of the data by experts, who explain trends, add perspective and give meaning. For building material and product brands, it has become a powerful and extremely cost- effective channel to reach the decision makers who matter.” BMBI is the most reliable
exceeded all expectations both inside and outside the industry. In working together, the BMF, MRA and GfK have developed the most accurate analysis of current sales through UK builders’ merchants, adding an important segment to the available data on construction output. We are delighted that its value has been recognised in these Awards,” comments John Newcomb, CEO of Builders Merchants Federation. Since July 2019, BMBI has also been a regular feature of the Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) monthly construction update.
“The BMBI has come a long way since winning ‘Best Product Launch’ at the 2017 CMAs,” says Mike Rigby, CEO of MRA Marketing. “In the last twelve months alone, the report’s print circulation has increased by 56%, with an 85% increase online. LinkedIn followers have gone through the roof, and five new BMBI Experts joined the panel. Best of all, in the words of the CMA judges, it now reaches regularly into the heart of Government at a senior level. “While the data generated by BMBI – and the reporting of it – is hugely valuable and reveals the trends affecting the industry, the real power of BMBI lies in the
BMF builds evidence case on imported product availability for government
THE BMF IS collating reports from members on product availability issues relating to capacity problems at British ports and advising government on the impact this is having on the sector.
The current issues mainly relate to goods imported from the Far East, including sanitaryware, power tools, screws and fixings, and timber products imported from Scandinavia where supplies of soft wood are under pressure due to increased demand worldwide. BMF CEO, John Newcomb, who co-chairs the Construction
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Leadership Council’s working group on product availability and the movement of goods and materials following Brexit, is in regular dialogue with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to share intelligence with relevant parties across Government. BEIS has relayed these discussions to the key relevant Departments, including the Department of Transport, which is monitoring the issue and increasing their engagement with the shipping industry.
John Newcomb said: “Pretty
source of data for RMI, the UK’s housing repair, maintenance and improvement market. The index is based on data from GFK’s Builders Merchants Panel, which analyses sales by value from over 80% of the sales of the UK’s generalist builders’ merchants. Thirteen leading industry brands, the BMBI Experts, speaking for their markets, explain trends and issues and add insight and context to the data.
The CMAs are the only awards of their kind and are a national measure of excellence in construction marketing, research and strategy. Winners were announced at a virtual ceremony on 26th November.
View the full list of winners at
www.cmawards.co.uk. To download the latest BMBI reports, BMBI Expert comments and Round Table debate videos, visit
www.bmbi.co.uk.
of container capacity, which also flows from Covid. At the moment we view Brexit as a complicating factor rather than the main area of concern, but we have also raised the issue of the preparedness of UK ports and customs post-Brexit with our contacts at BEIS.”
much all the availability issues at the moment are Covid-related and the result of factories closing and re- opening, along with the shortage
John Newcomb added: “While shortages are not reported to be impacting sites yet, there are a lot of suppliers and merchants already flashing warning signs. It takes only one material to be unavailable to impact work on site.” The BMF has requested anyone experiencing delays or other issues with imported products to email details to John Newcomb directly, at
john.newcomb@
bmf.org.uk, as they continue to build an evidence case to present to Government.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net January 2021
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