NEWS EXTRA: BMF CONFERENCE 2025
BUILDING TOMORROW TOGETHER
The second BMF Conference to be held in the Catalan city of Barcelona was opened by BMF chairman Richard Hill.
“BARCELONA WAS transformed by the decision to award it the Host City for the 1992 Olympic Games.” Thus did BMF chairman Richard Hill open the BMF All Industry Conference 2025 with a few choice facts about the conference venue. These included the fact that the city itself was awarded the Gold Medal for Architecture 2026, and that it has the largest amount of inner-city
green space of any city in the world. It was also the inspiration for World Book Day, from the custom of giving books away to children to celebrate the Sant Jordi feast - also known as St George’s Day.
As well as that, it was the venue city for the 1995 BMF Conference, and Hill looked at a few things that have changed since then. “Back in those days, there
were many building product manufacturers who were still under UK ownership. Time moved on and much has changed, both in our sector and across the world, but I think the good news for us is that there is a very strong thread running throughout our sector. That thread is relationships. If we are to build our future on the past, it is that strength of relationship building that is the best possible foundation
WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
John Ryzowski sales director of Conference Headline sponsor ACO, told delegates about the importance of the company’s commitment to water sustainability.
BARCELONA HAS HAD a challenging history, particularly when it comes to its most vital resource, water. In fact, official declarations from Catalan authorities earlier this year, confirm the region was navigating its worst drought on record. Imagine reservoirs, the life blood of the region, having dipped below critical thresholds like 16% capacity in early 2024. this has meant significant water restrictions for millions and an urgent focus on innovative solutions, including advanced water regeneration to secure supplies.
Yet this city of resilience also knows the other extreme’ the challenge of sudden, intense rainfall leading to flash floods. And this story of water stress isn’t unique to Catalonia. Back in the UK, we face our own version of this paradox.
8
Projections warn that one in four properties in England could live with flood risk by the mid century. Simultaneously, the National Audit Office cautions that part of England could face severe water shortages within 20 years, with demand potentially outstripping supply in some areas as early as 2034 if we don’t act.
This has profound implications for our water supply and the resilience of our built environment. That’s why it feels so right, so vital, that we’re all here today, investing our time in this conference, themed ‘Building Tomorrow Together’, because to build anything that lasts, water is a foundational ingredient. It’s not just an issue. It truly sits in its own super-category of sustainability, water is that critical to everything we do.
The fundamental truth is the
driving force behind ACO. Our purpose is simple yet profound. We help protect people from water, and water from people. We are passionate about managing our water sustainably, and I’m delighted that our colleagues from ACO Spain are here today, and our managing director Miguel will be joining us during the conference. They are on the front line addressing these critical water challenges right here in Spain, just as we at ACO in the UK are
we can have moving forward.” Hill looked at the list of
challenges the sector has to face. “It’s almost never ending,” he said. “We have the consequences of Grenfell, we have digital and technology changes that are developing so rapidly, we have the innumerous topics that suround people and health and safety, and, quite simply, we have change itself. “In the last few years we at the BMF have launched seven bold, some might say brave, initiatives. These are all designed to help support you, our members, as you face these challenges, and as you look to keep your businesses valid and competitive.
“If one of the core strengths of our past is relationship building it is good to know that this theme runs through every one of these initiatives one way or another. By us supporting you, and you supporting us, I think that we can together make sure that our £52bn sector evolves, strengthens, improves efficiency and perhaps most importantly, offers opportunity to all who work within it.” BMJ
committed to doing so back home, Many of you know ACO for our drainage solutions, but our commitment towards water goes much deeper. We are dedicated to the entire water cycle. From developing systems of clean water before it returns to precious ecosystems and aquifers to innovative solutions that allow water to infiltrate and recharge groundwater, helping to build resilience against drought and the impact of climate change. This year, the ACO group is incredibly proud to be an ambassador for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Six: Clean Water and Sanitation for all. This goal isn’t just a target for us, it’s the essential building block for building tomorrow together. In the spirit of shared challenge and collective action, we find it a genuine privilege to be part of this incredible builders merchants community. You, your company, your staff are such a vital link in the construction supply chain, the hands that help deliver sustainable solutions on the ground. We cannot build our better tomorrow without you. BMJ
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net July 2025
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
