INDUSTRY VOICE
BMF Welcomes its 1,000th Member: Kronospan
The BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) has proudly announced that Kronospan, a global leader in wood-based panel manufacturing, has become its 1,000th member. This milestone not only reinforces the BMF’s standing as the leading trade body for the building materials industry but also coincides with the launch of its high-profile Sector Awareness Programme. The programme, which aims to increase public awareness of building materials as a vibrant and diverse employment sector, marks the BMF’s largest single investment, with £225,000 committed so far. The BMF’s members, which include merchants and suppliers with combined sales of £50.2bn,
employ nearly 203,000 people. The awareness programme will highlight the wide range of career opportunities within this critical sector.
Kronospan exemplifies the dynamic and innovative companies within the building materials industry. With over 100 years of experience processing timber, the company is committed to sustainability, using alternative energy and recycled wood to create high-performance engineered products that contribute to reducing carbon footprints.
John Newcomb, CEO of the BMF, expressed his excitement: “We are thrilled to welcome Kronospan as our 1,000th member. Their forward-
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www.bmf.org.uk for all the latest news and events updates in this ever-changing environment.
thinking approach and focus on sustainability align perfectly with the values of the BMF. With 1,000 companies now part of the Federation, the BMF stands as the only trade body capable of representing the entire
Research confirms the need for the BMF’s Sector Awareness Programme
New research has revealed a major challenge for the building materials industry: while 48% of UK adults recognise the term “Building Materials,” nearly 9 out of 10 don’t understand the sector’s businesses, and 67% wouldn’t consider a career in it. This skills gap presents a significant issue for employers. To tackle this, the BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) will launch a Sector Awareness Programme aimed at increasing knowledge of the industry and attracting new talent.
Research commissioned by the BMF, conducted by CMDi and YouGov, highlights the need for this initiative. While 75% of adults are familiar with the construction sector, only 13%
42
could identify businesses within the building materials industry. Additionally, only 16% of adults would consider a career in building materials, compared to 19% for construction.
John Newcomb, BMF CEO, says, “This research confirms the urgency of our sector awareness programme. We need all BMF members to unite and raise the profile of the industry.” Dianne Lucas, CMDi’s Managing Director, adds, “This research sets the baseline for our efforts and identifies the actions needed to put building materials on the map.”
With the programme positioning building materials as “Materially Different,” BMF is set to launch a national PR campaign in late
2024. By working together, BMF members can inspire a new generation of professionals and
showcase the wide range of career opportunities in the sector.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net October 2024
building materials sector.” This achievement highlights the BMF’s growing influence, having tripled its membership since 2012, and underscores its mission to support, develop, and advocate for the industry.
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