COMMENT
Let’s collaborate, commit and comply
M
uch of my last week was spent discussing the C word. Three C words to be precise. No, not that one, and not even the other one, the one that I try not to think about until the begining of December.
Four days spent up in Glasgow at the NBG Conference and Exhibition and the talk was all of, commitment, compliance and collaboration. Commitment, because NBG is a buying group that exists to strengthen the buying power of its merchant Partners by ensuring that they stick to the deals that have been negotiated on their behalf.
Compliance, because it’s not enough to commit. To get the best deals, and get the best out of those deals, sticking to them really has to be mandatory.
Collaboration, because the tie-up between NBG and fellow independent buying group IBC has finally been signed off. It’s still in its infancy of course, and the ironing out of the details is an ongoing process, but, in essence, NBG has gained one new member, IBC. The businesses that make up the constituent parts of IBC have gained, or will gain, access to the NBG deals that have been negotiated.
This all gives NBG more power to buy better with their suppliers, means those suppliers have access to more outlets for their goods, and IBC’s members the ability to compete better in their respective marketplaces.
Talking attendees at the Supplier Summit through the framework for the changes, NBG managing director Mark Hughes described it as a Win, Win, Win: a win for NBG, for IBC, and for suppliers. The whole event, was, he said, a powerful demonstration of what can be achieved
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when all parties work in true partnership, and proves that NBG is evolving into a stronger organisation, the better equipped to take on the challenges facing the market.
He’s not wrong. Those challenges are many and they are mighty. You just have to look at the CPA forecasts, and the S&P PMI figures which show, that for, October, UK construction companies were still seeing output levels on a downward trajectory. Not only that, but that trajectory was going downwards at its steepest rate since May 2020.
It’s not as though the much-promised housebuilding cavalry is going to come charging over the hill to the rescue, if the Home Builders Federation’s missive to the Office for Budget Responsibility is anything to go by. Just because the Government wants to see 1.5m new homes get built won’t make it happen. There’s no Hogwarts spell that will magic up the requisite builders, materials, signed-off plans. It was always going to be a big ask of an industry beset by issues with planning, and shortage of skilled workers. BCIS estimates that 150,000 extra builders would be needed to hit that target Not wanting to be the voice of doom and gloom, I can also report that the S&P PMI did show some hopeful signs with business activity expectations for the year ahead more positive, although still pretty low.
Of course, at time of writing we are still just over two weeks away from the Autumn Budget when all will be made smooth. I mean, after last year’s NI and minimum wage rises, how much worse could it get? Oh, wait. BMJ
Fiona Russell-Horne Group Managing Editor - BMJ
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CONTENTS 4 Newsround
What’s happening in the sector 8 News Extra
Heidelberg’s carbon capture facility 10 People
Who’s moving where, and 10 Minutes With… 12 Rising Stars
BMF Young Merchant Achiever Louise Parkes shares her experiences
14 Business Helpdesk What’s concerning BMF Members
15 Viewpoint
Our Guest columnists talk insulation and inclusivity
19 Kitchens
Obsidian’s Cheltenham showroom has had a glow-up
22 Merchant Focus Jewson re-launch Luton
24 Sustainability
Building a better future with Harris & Bailey, and training for a better future.
28 Heavyside
A look at the heavy side of things 31 Insulation
Adapting to changing regulations
36 Timber Timber for the home 39 IT
New technology for customer convenience
42 Industry Voice Latest news from the BMF
44 Product News What’s new from suppliers 46 And finally
News from all around and the Prize Crossword
November 2025
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net 3
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