BMA – Resilience key to bathroom industry challenges T
he Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) Industry
Conference, held at Carden Park Hotel in Chester, focused on the bathroom industry’s ongoing challenges and the need for resilience and included an array of expert speakers.
Chief Executive of the BMA, Tom Reynolds, opened the conference and said, “The compounded impact of Brexit, COVID, and last year’s budget have caused turmoil for businesses and are now in a period of reduced demand. “While we’ve seen some stabilisation, our journey back to the security and moderation the UK was once renowned for is far from over. “Yet, it’s a testament to our sector’s mettle that bathroom manufacturers have weathered this storm admirably.”
Bonita Norris, the youngest British woman to scale Everest in 2010, was the first speaker to take
to the stage outlining The Resilient Mindset, a quality the sector will need in challenging times. She outlined her two-year journey that led to conquering Everest, focussing on the importance of a clear vision and that “taking the small steps along the path will lead to something great”. Building resilience in business is also about embracing diversity and fostering an environment of inclusion. The authors of Bias Impacts: How Culture and Diversity Affects the Leadership Journey, Patrick Ricketts and Kanthi Ford, took to the stage, outlining that a diverse team provides an array of perspectives, strengthening the decision- making process and enhancing adaptability. As part of the ‘Big Debate’, an expert panel explored the challenges and opportunities to unravel best practices, strategies for resilience, the role sustainability plays in forging a responsible supply chain, and how to prepare for the next shock that may hit us.
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The panel included Paul Crow, MD of Ripples, Keri Barton, Group Sales and Marketing Director of WTA, Adam Law, Head of Sustainability at THG Eco, Kerry Stackpole, CEO and Executive Director of Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) and consumer champion Jane Hawkes (Queen of Customer Service as crowned on BBC’s Your Money & Your Life). Paul Crow outlined the importance of collaboration during the COVID pandemic and said, “Once the fear and panic got better, industry worked well together and became more positive.” Keri Barton noted that current sea freight rates are stable but warned it wasn’t a sustainable business model, while Adam Law noted that B2B buyers will begin to source products from sustainable companies to manage future emissions reporting (Scope 3).
The final speaker, the economist Vicky Pryce, tackled the uncertainties around a world stuck in a slow-growth environment and the geopolitical landscape affecting our economic resilience. She stressed that an emphasis on growth from the UK Government was central to all its problems. The President of the BMA, Jason Parker, concluded the day by reminding everyone that adapting, thriving and evolving in the face of adversity would help to overcome any challenges.
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