INDUSTRY VOICE
BMF Annual Conference and Awards 2025: Building momentum
The BMF brought together its members on 17-18th September at the Hilton Metropole, Birmingham, for its flagship Members’ Day Conference and Awards. Raising an outstanding £22,500, the highest amount ever generated at this occasion, the event attracted a record number of attendees, seeing over 400 people in attendance.
With a keynote address aimed at inspiring leadership in turbulent times, Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE spoke on building a winning culture, maintaining morale through challenge and navigating uncertainty with resilience and belonging. Delegates also heard from Managing Director of Insight Retail Group and Executive Editor of Insight DIY, Steve Collinge, on his research into what “The Builders Merchant Branch of the Future” could look like. In one of the standout sessions from the conference, Steve highlighted how shifting customer
BMF DIARY DATES
Please check the BMF website at
www.bmf.org.uk for all the latest news and events updates in this ever-changing environment.
the conference’s networking, social programmes, and exhibition components reinforced the value of bringing people together. For many merchants and suppliers, the peer-to-peer learning and connections made at these events are just as important as what is said on stage.
expectations, digital integration, and data-driven decision-making are set to reshape traditional branch models.
The conference rounded up with Former Foreign Secretary Sir James Cleverley MP, bringing a political perspective to the conference, sharing insights on the government’s priorities and their intended impact on the construction and housing sectors. In a lively Q&A, delegates pressed
James on issues ranging from housing supply and planning reform to his perspective on the critical role of the smaller, independent builders merchants in the building materials sector and wider construction ecosystem. His candid responses gave BMF members a rare opportunity to engage directly with a senior political figure on matters shaping their industry. Beyond the formal sessions,
Setting consistent data standards
The BMF has launched an updated version of the Industry Product Data Template, which now includes a new waste packaging tab.
Developed by the BMF’s cross industry working group, the template provides a practical solution to the lack of efficiencies caused by the historical emergence of multiple product data formats. Its purpose is to support the reliable and consistent flow of product information across the building materials supply chain. Version 3 of the PDT can be downloaded from www.
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bmf.org.uk under the services tab. Available as a multi- tabbed Microsoft Excel file, it is straightforward to use and can be easily integrated with existing systems.
Critically, the template underpins wider industry initiatives aimed at raising data standards. Building Materials Digital Services’ (BMDS) Data Yard, the joint venture formed by the BMF and NMBS to create an industry-owned data pool, has been built on the standards set by the template, to ensure consistency across the sector. Following its recent launch,
BMDS now welcomes early adopters of the Data Yard, having secured its first five suppliers to share their product data on the new platform, branded Data Yard.
The forward-thinking companies leading the way include C-Tec (CT1). Fernco, Knauf, Knauf Insulation and Ox Tools UK, whose onboarding marks a significant milestone in the platform’s rollout.
Built on Omiteo’s established PIM solution Etimix, Data Yard is designed as a centralised, scalable, secure hub for improving product data quality,
The event concluded with the presentation of the BMF Awards Dinner in the evening, which shone a light on the talent, innovation and leadership driving the industry forward. The awards dinner saw successful members of the building materials community recognised with accolades such as BMF Training Company of the Year, Sustainability Award, Marketing Excellence Award and Honorary Achievement Award. Their success stories served as a reminder that, even in a tough trading climate, the sector’s greatest strength lies in the passion and ingenuity of its people.
We look forward to welcoming our members again in 2026 at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield on 16-17th September, and also to our other UK events and forums taking place in between.
reducing duplication and streamlining the exchange of information across the supply chain.
Gareth Thomas, Managing Director of BMDS, said: “We are delighted to welcome the first five forward- thinking companies who are contributing to the transformation of product data sharing within our industry. Their proactive engagement and dedication provide an excellent model for others, and we anticipate that many additional suppliers will join BMDS’ Data Yard in the coming weeks.”
Suppliers looking to join BMDS’ Data Yard, please email
gareth.thomas@
bmds-idp.com.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net October 2025
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