Buiders Merchants Federation
1180 Elliott Court Coventry Business Park, Herald Avenue Coventry CV5 6UB Tel: 02476 854980
info@bmf.org.uk www.bmf.org.uk
Strong Q4 Builders Merchants’ sales show growth
Another set of positive sales figures for the final Quarter of 2017 published by the BMF’s Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) reflects the continued strength of the sector’s primary markets, private housebuilding and domestic repair, maintenance and improvement.
Total Q4 2017 sales were up +6.3% on Q4 2016, delivering stronger growth for the quarter than the running average, which in turn helped to push the annual growth numbers. Overall, merchant sales in 2017 finished 4.8% ahead of 2016 by value.
Looking at Q4 in detail, total growth was supported by the two biggest value categories, Timber & Joinery (+7.3%) and Heavy Building Materials (+6.4%). A number of smaller product categories also assisted the strong finish, notably Plumbing, Heating & Electrical, and Tools (both up by +7.7%), Ironmongery (+7.3%) and Kitchens & Bathrooms (+6.6%). Perhaps not surprisingly, growth
in annual sales was also driven by the largest product groups, with Timber & Joinery at +5.4% and Heavy Building Materials at 5.1%. Almost every category recorded sales growth in 2017, with just one minor area, Services, falling back at -2.0%.
Richard Frankcom, Senior Client Insight Manager, GfK said: “Builders merchants delivered a strong performance in 2017 during a period of political and economic uncertainty and a changing value of the pound, which compounded trading difficulties. The strength of the
SNP encouragement on late payment
The Government has not spelt out in any meaningful way what leaving the EU means for British business, the Leader of the SNP at Westminster told the BMF last month.
The BMF was part of an invited audience to hear Ian Blackford MP, SNP Member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber (pictured with Brett Amphlett, right) at a breakfast briefing in the City of London. Mr Blackford, a former investment banker at NatWest and Deutsche Bank, told guests he wants the UK to stay in the EU Single Market and the Customs Union. Mr Blackford noted that the UK Government
the economy, address low productivity and improve living standards.
is overwhelmed with Brexit negotiations. But after
Carillion’s collapse, he reminded ministers not to forget the day job - and the need to boost
On late payment cash retentions in construction, Brett Amphlett, BMF Policy and Public Affairs’ Manager, asked if Scotland could have found a solution in the form of project bank accounts. Ian Blackford said the Scottish Government had conducted trials of project bank accounts as a way to speed up time taken to pay sub- contractors, rather than wait 120 days or more for payment. The MP agreed with the BMF that a retentions deposit scheme was another possible remedy to tackle late payments.
BMBI shortlisted twice at national awards The BMBI has been shortlisted in
two categories at the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s 2018 Marketing Excellence Awards. The BMBI, which uses
gold-standard sales-out data from GfK’s General Builders’ Merchants Panel to measure RMI in the economy, is a BMF brand launched and managed by MRA Marketing.
The awards aim to celebrate outstanding, high quality and
March 2018
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
sectors they operate within has generated some of this growth, but price inflation has also been a contributing factor.
“A number of factors could impact on trading in 2018. Initial reports have shown a weakening in new housebuilding, and renewed concerns over skilled worker shortages. With interest rates expected to rise sooner and faster than predicted, we watch with interest to see if generalist builders’ merchants continue to defy market expectations.”
Carlton
Manufacturing joins the BMF
Carlton Manufacturing, which makes bagged, ready- to-use products for fence & gate posts, bases for sheds &
greenho.uses, brick & block laying, has joined the BMF. Marc Case, UK Packed Products Commercial Manager said: “Joining the BMF provides us with a voice within the marketplace and at governmental level. It’s a huge benefit to have organisations such as this promoting our cause.”
FOLLOW US @bmf_merchants
impactful marketing in a range of subcategories. The BMBI has been shortlisted for ‘New Product or Service Innovation’, and for ‘Best Use of Data and Insight’. The CIM Marketing Excellence Awards will be held on 12 April in London.
Builders Merchants Federation
Builders Merchants Federation
Builders Merchants Federation BMF
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