INDUSTRY VOICE
BMF brings mental health to the fore with 2020 charity partners
The BMF has nominated Mental Health UK and Samaritans as its charity partners for 2020. Both charities support people affected by mental health problems, a subject that the BMF clearly believes merits both fundraising support and greater attention within the building materials supply industry. Mental Health UK’s CEO, Brian Dow, was one of the speakers at the BMF All Industry Conference this Summer, alongside mental health campaigners Neil Laybourn and Jonny Benjamin MBE, whose powerful presentation based on personal experience highlighted the importance of strengthening mental health awareness within our industry. Mental Health UK supports people affected by mental health problems including friends, family and carers. Samaritans is the largest dedicated suicide prevention charity that offers emotional support to anyone in distress. Every six seconds, a volunteer answers a call for help. Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 45, affecting people from every walk of life. The Construction News 2018 Mental Health Survey found more than half of those in the construction trade (57%) said they had experienced mental health issues at some point, and one in four workers across the industry have considered taking their own life. Brian Dow, CEO of Mental Health UK, said: “We’re really excited to announce this partnership and to develop the conversation about mental health in such a vital industry. Mental Health UK
combines the strength of four charities to support people with mental health problems. This collegiate approach to the issue from the BMF is pioneering and we’re also thrilled to be working with our close friends and colleagues at Samaritans. We believe that by combining forces we can help promote the importance of mental health in the industry and make a positive impact on BMF’s members across the UK.” Matt Lock, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Samaritans said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as charity partner of the Builders Merchants Federation for 2020. This support will allow Samaritans to continue to be there for anyone in distress. We know the risk of suicide in the construction industry is high, so we are looking forward to raising awareness of the support service and the importance of listening, as this can save lives.”
In the past two years, the BMF has worked with the industry to raise just under £250,000 for its partner charities.
John Newcomb, BMF CEO said: “The two charities selected as our partners this year are particularly pertinent as there is a growing understanding within our industry that mental health is as important as physical health. In addition to vital fundraising, and of equal importance, we will be working with our charity partners to promote training to raise awareness amongst staff and customers and improve mental health in the workplace.”
BMF KPI Report shows industry’s resilience to political uncertainty
The BMF has published its latest Key Performance Indicators Report which provides a benchmark for trading performance in the UK independent builders merchants sector over the 12 months ending April 2019. Key findings indicate a resilient industry with a 9.9% increase in sales despite the economic and political uncertainty experience through the prolonged Brexit process. The full BMF KPI Report is one of a suite of survey reports
44
among BMF merchant members in mid-2019. Member returns covered the periods to their year ends that fell between 1 May 2018 and 30 April 2019. The ratios used within the report are a selection from the full survey findings. The BMF KPI Report uses a core sample of participants that enables a true like for like comparison with previous years ratios.
available exclusively to BMF Members. As well as the changes in sales, it analyses ratios such as trading margins, sales from stock, gross profit, profit per employee and other key indicators. The survey was carried out
Members can log into www.
bmf.org.uk and view the report in the Members’ Zone. For more information please contact Nyssa Patel, BMF Industry Analyst/Economist at nyssa.
patel@bmf.org.uk or on 02476 854994.
BMF DIARY DATES OCTOBER
15-16 National Apprenticeship Show North West - Bolton
17 BMF Finance Forum, BMF, Coventry 17-19 UFEMAT Congress, Montreux, Switzerland
18 BMF Anglia regional meeting, Ridgeons, Pampisford
22 BMF Health & Safety Forum, BMF, Coventry
22 BMF Scotland regional meeting, Superglass, Stirling
29 BMF Parliamentary Reception House of Commons, London
30 BMF HR Forum, Grundfos, Leighton Buzzard
31 BMF Branch Managers Forum, BMF, Coventry
NOVEMBER 5 BMF North East regional meeting, Seymour CE, Hartlepool
5 BMF West Midlands regional meeting, HMP Onley, Rugby
6 BMF East Midlands regional meeting, Xtratherm, Chesterfield
7 BMF South Wales regional meeting, Rockwool, Bridgend
12 BMF Kitchen & Bathroom Forum, Roca, Leicester
21 BMF Timber Forum, BMF, Coventry
DECEMBER 3 BMF Ireland regional meeting, Xtratherm, Navan
4 BMF Yorkshire regional meeting, Middlethorpe Hall, York
2020 JANUARY 24 BMF Burns Supper, Double Tree Hilton, Dunblane
28 BMF Transport & Distribution Forum, BMF, Coventry
9 Bob Beaver Memorial Shoot, Royal Berkshire Shooting Ground
10-12 BMF Mastermerchant, Ambleside
JULY 9 Bob Beaver Memorial Shoot, Royal Berkshire Shooting Ground
10-12 BMF Mastermerchant, Ambleside
SEPTEMBER 16-17 BMF Annual Conference & Awards, DeVere Beaumont Estate, Windsor
To book your place or for more information about BMF events visit
www.bmf.org.uk/events
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net October 2019
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 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
