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Builders Merchants’ sales enjoy Q2 bounce


Sales through UK builders merchants bounced back in Q2 2018, with the BMF’s Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) reporting 7.2% growth in sales value over Q2 2017. There was one more trading day during Q2 this year, adjusting for this the average daily sales growth year on year was 5.5%. The strong performance in Q2 contrasts markedly to a weather-hindered performance in the first quarter of the year.


The Timber and Joinery category had a major impact on total sales value growth in Q2, up 9.5% year on year. Within this the Sheet Materials sub category was a big contributor.


Heavy Building Materials, the


largest product category, also showed strong growth in Q2 2018, up 6.3% on the same period last year.


Plumbing, Heating and Electrical reported exceptional year on year growth in Q2, up 13.3% on 2017, possibly driven by people looking to upgrade old or failing equipment after the winter freeze. Looking at the year to date, which takes into account two very different quarters of construction activity, total builders merchants sales in the first six months of 2018 increased by 4.0% over the same six months in 2017. The BMBI uses GfK’s point of sale tracking data drawn from over 80% of UK builders merchants’ sales, making it the most reliable


BMF shortlisted as Trade Association of the Year


The high standard of member support provided by the BMF has been recognised in the Association Excellence Awards, where the Federation has been nominated in the Association of the Year category.


The BMF was also shortlisted in the Conference, Website and Leadership categories. BMF’s John Newcomb said, “This is the first time that the BMF has been shortlisted as trade association of the year and I’m delighted to see the team’s work recognised in this way. Being nominated for such an award reflects the breadth and depth of our work for members. It is only


by working diligently to represent and support their interests that the BMF has received this prestigious nomination.” The Association Excellence Awards, which are judged by a panel of over 20 CEOs and senior managers, recognise and reward the achievements of UK trade bodies, professional membership organisations and associations. The winners will be announced at an Awards event in October.


source of data for the sector. The full Q2 report can be downloaded at www.bmbi.co.uk.


John Newcomb, BMF CEO said, “For the second quarter running the impact of the weather on construction output – and builders merchants sales – is clear to see. The warm, dry weather through much of Q2 has enabled construction work to catch up on sites that had stalled earlier in the year. The merchant industry will be buoyed by Q2 sales and, with above average temperatures forecast into the autumn, we remain confident of continued growth this year.”


Richard Frankcom, Client Insight Director at GfK said, “Following the dramatic weather in Q1


Dubrovnik Conference Sold Out!


The 2019 BMF All Industry Conference, which takes on 13-16 June 2019, has sold out in record time, just six weeks after launch.


The BMF welcome the following new members:


Service Service Service


Merchant Merchant


Bank of America/Merrill Lynch GLG Partners Alser UK


Ken Ratcliffe & Son Ltd Wilcox Enterprise Ltd / Wel Timber Merchant September 2018 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


There has been a huge amount of interest in the Conference venue – the stunning coastal city of Dubrovnik - and its theme, Building Excellence, since it was launched in June. The BMF managed to allocate additional delegate places but the event is now fully subscribed and no further bookings can be accepted. Over 80 merchant and 60 supplier companies will be attending, including, for the first time, members from Ireland, following BMF’s group membership agreement with Allied Merchants Buying Association (AMBA), Ireland’s leading independent merchant buying group last year. BMF CEO John Newcomb said, “There was phenomenal


interest in next year’s Conference immediately the venue was announced. Yet again we can see how important it is for the whole industry to come together for the biggest event in the industry’s calendar. We have increased the total number of delegates we can accommodate since our last All Industry Conference, to enable 11% more merchants to attend, but we are now absolutely full. It is going to be a fantastic event, and I am only sorry that we cannot accommodate more people.”


The event will be hosted by broadcaster and TV personality, Gethin Jones. Details of the first keynote speaker will be announced at the BMF Members’ Day Annual Conference later this month.


For Conference details and regular updates please visit www. bmfconference.co.uk.


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delaying the usual end of quarter external work kick off, we had been expecting a strong Q2 performance, and these results did not disappoint. Midway through April the weather improved and May and June delivered strong growth in almost every category. That said, price inflation and one extra trading day in Q2 2018 over the same period in 2017 also had an effect on growth, but we should be content that the builders merchant sector remains in good health.”


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