INDUSTRY UPDATE THE BMA COLUMN


BMA – Conquering the information age


T


he information age has led to a world where access to information is immediate and, in many cases,


overwhelming. The sheer scale of resources is countless, with an ‘app for everything’ and companies vying for your attention. For businesses, navigating to find unbiased and relevant knowledge to determine decision-making for growth can be tricky and time-consuming. With this in mind, in January 2021, the Bathroom Manufacturers Association launched a new quarterly magazine, BMA Insights. Written exclusively for our members, the magazine was conceived to


make association information more attractive and easier to absorb for staff in our +55 member companies. BMA Insights provides members with knowledge about emerging


policies which affect them and the economic data to assist them in planning future business across three distinct sections. The first section is the almanac, a timeline of events within the industry and political environment from the last quarter. It serves as a reminder of what has happened, which has a resonance and effect on our sector. The second section contains


policy briefings on any developments in the UK or further afield which could impact bathroom manufacturers. Briefings may involve, for example, analysing a 100-page government white paper and stating clearly in two or three pages of plain English what it contains and may mean for business. We have covered topics as diverse as the Building Safety Bill and Green Taxonomy to the recent analysis of the UK’s political upheavals. The third section is a digest of relevant trend indicators, economic data


and forecasting, condensing the most meaningful information to enable members to make informed decisions. The magazine has delivered our original aims by providing the most


relevant and essential insights in bite-sized chunks and infographics to distil detailed information. One member told us: “Congratulations to the BMA team. You’ve crystalised complicated issues into something useful within the business.” John Naisbitt, the American business guru and author of Megatrends,


once said, “We are drowning in information but starved for knowledge.” We intend to rectify that for our members.


Tom Reynolds Chief Executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association


u For more information contact BMA on 01782 631619 or email info@bathroom-association.org.uk


36 BKU JANUARY 2023


BIKBBI – Now is not the time to withdraw funding


W


ith the doom and gloom of the winter months and ever-increasing talk of recession almost inescapable,


it’s no wonder that businesses are taking a closer look at their budgets in preparation for an ongoing economic downturn. Traditionally, when it comes to reducing operating costs, budget items


that are easier to cut such as marketing and training tend to be the first to go, along with subscriptions and memberships for associations and business support organisations. However, business leaders should


give serious consideration to the impact that axing support for industry trade associations will ultimately have on their business. Associations exist to drive industries forward, especially during times of adversity and austerity and, without such organisations, industries will not only grind to halt but could go backwards. Let’s look at the KBB industry. It


was already in turmoil in terms of labour shortages and lack of investment in education before Brexit and Covid expediated the issue. Now we are faced with an economic downtown to boot! So, is the solution to think about the short-term and bury our heads in the sand by focusing on the here and now? Or is it to think beyond the next 12-24 months of hardship and consider the hardships that businesses in our sector will face in five years’ time? Consider the impact on growth and profitability when manufacturers, designers and retailers are unable to find professional, compliant, skilled labour to fit their products? We are already experiencing the reality of the problem - we do not


have the available skilled labour to meet both construction and refurbishment demand today. We are in a tailspin as an industry and there is no magic formula or pill to fix the issue. But there is a trade association working tirelessly to deliver a sustainable


future workforce in order to serve the manufacturers, retailers, suppliers, distributors and designers of the KBB sector. The British Institute of KBB Installation (BiKBBI) is leading the way in terms of establishing a multi- channel solution to the UK skills gap crisis, spanning education, CPD and Armed Forces resettlement. As a not-for-profit organisation, the vital work that BiKBBI does is wholly


funded by membership fees and corporate sponsorship. Simply put, the money invested in to BiKBBI by businesses in the KBB industry is funding the only viable solution to protecting the future of those businesses. So, you can see the dilemma. If businesses take the easy option when


reducing costs and cut support of organisations such as the BiKBBI, even for a short period of time, they are ultimately making a decision to halt a decade of work and ‘kick the can’ down the road with irreversible consequences. So, my plea to our industry is this. Do not assume that organisations like BiKBBI will be here waiting, after a


time when the industry needs it the most. If decisions are made to cut funding in the short-term, the damage to your business will undoubtedly be long-term. Please do not underestimate the importance of the financial support


provided to associations. We need industry support and funding in order to do what we do – and if you value installation and the availability of professional, compliant and competent installers, please make sure you continue to support it, or consider getting involved. Your industry needs you!


Damian Walters, CEO, BIKBBI


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