COMMENT
Conference thoughts
M
ost of us, returning from the NMBS Conference (see also: BMF Conference), will, at some point have the same experience. That of
someone - in the office, at home - coming out with the immortal line ‘Good holiday?’ with varying degrees of sarcasm. ‘It’s all right for some’ is another.
Yeah, yeah, heard it all before.
Jetting off to somewhere abroad, usually hot, to hotels that tend to be a bit more plush and spendy than one’s own budget allows, is a nice thing to do. Particularly in this industry, because, as we know, what makes this sector a bit special is its people. It can feel a bit like jetting off for a four- day break with 800 friends, even if you do need to be on-duty, and your best behaviour at all times. Although, let’s think about what that word holiday means. A day on which custom or the law dictates a halting of general business; a break from the norm, a chance to re-set, something that is different to the day-to-day, a chance to step outside of the day-to-day and reassess. That is precisely what events like this weekend’s - I’m writing this on the plane on the way back - gives us. A chance to step outside the norm, to think about something new, as well as to think about stuff we know in a different light. There will be a more detailed write-up in the next issue, of course, but I think it’s fair to say that there was something to take away from every presentation. You may feel that it was the economic outlook from the CPA’s Dr Noble Francis that was of most value, allowing you to see where the business might be going in the light of economic headwinds, and potential green shoots. Or Charlie Blakemore’s nugget that a 170 year old transport business could be taken down by Russian hackers exploiting an employee’s
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EDITORIAL
Group Managing Editor: Fiona Russell Horne 01622 699101 07721 841382
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Assistant editor Will McGill 01622 699185
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weaker-than-it-should-be password. You might feel that Insight Retail’s Steve Collinge’s presentation set the scene for how you can navigate challenges of the increasingly digital- savvy customer, or that former footballer Paul McVeigh said enough about self-belief to help you motivate yourself and others around you. Likewise, Adrian Webster’s Saturday morning presentation about how the small, seemingly inconsequential things can make a difference to your business by changing how they make your customers feel, could spark ideas about your customer service offer, and what you really mean by that. Or, the main benefit might be the structured meetings, the 15 minute chats which could be the start of a beautiful business friendship, or a way to highlight upcoming developments you and your customers could work together on. Then there are the chance conversations around - sometimes in - the swimming pool, or the bar, that can send your business in a different direction, bring out new opportunities, give you a solid lead for a story, or just add to your general understanding of what’s going on in the sector. Sure, you can do all of this without being a few hours’ travel away, or with the individual businesses and customers, but there’s something about having so many like-minded individuals, all gathered together, away from the hurly burly of the day job, that sparks ideas and initiatives. It’s like the butterfly effect: a conversation between two people at the welcome drinks can spread, develop and grow; before you know it, there’s a new business opportunity just waiting to be grasped when you’re back at the day-job. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. BMJ
Fiona Russell-Horne Group Managing Editor - BMJ
“
Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you come from with new eyes and extra colours.
Terry Pratchett
CONTENTS 4 Newsround
The news from around the industry. 8 News Extra
The news from around the industry 8 News Extra
PHG celebrates its Supplier Awards and recognises excellence in the plumbing, heating and bathroom industry.
10 People Who’s moved where, and 10 minutes with…
12 Meet the Future Azpect’s Craig Merritt talks to BMJ.
14 Business Helpdesk The latest advice from the BMF’s business support partners.
16 BMJ Industry Awards 2024 Get your tickets for the lunch event of the year.
18 Viewpoint
Our regular and guest columnists. 20 Merchant focus
BMJ finds out how one south London roofing merchant is gradually growing its influence.
24 Transport and materials handling
The latest trends and developments in transport.
26Timber
Can your stock cope with decking season? 28IT
ADVERTISING
Group Sales Manager: Dawn Tucker 01622 699148 07934 731232
dtucker@datateam.co.uk
Media Account Executive Morgan Borthwick-Hunter mborthwick-hunter@datateam.
co.uk
01622 699126
Publisher: Paul Ryder
pryder@datateam.co.uk © Datateam Business Media Ltd 2024
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means, electronic or mechanical including photo-copying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the prior written consent of the publisher. The title Builders Merchants Journal is registered at Stationers’ Hall. Suppliers have contributed towards production costs of some photographs in this issue.
CIRCULATION
ABC audited average circulation
July 2018-June 2019: 7,801 SUBSCRIPTIONS
UK 1 year: £97 UK, 2 years: £164 Outside UK: one year £113/$204; two years: £196/$353
The latest from the world of tech.
30 Plumbing and Drainage The latest trends and developments in Plumbing and Drainage
34 Industry Voice News & views from the BMF
36 Product news
Latest products and developments from suppliers.
38 And Finally News and the Prize Crossword.
June 2024
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net 3
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