Two family-run companies, Build Supplies of St Columb in Cornwall and Buildrite Trade & DIY Supplies of Weymouth, Dorset are the latest members of the h&b buying group to join the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) in the south west region.

Build Supplies was established 12 years ago to serve mid-Cornwall and the surrounding areas. Specialising in heavyside and timber products, its user-friendly service quickly helped them develop a £5m turnover business. It has recently acquired a new off-site warehouse and distribution facility to provide an additional 20,000 sq ft of internal storage space allowing it to increase the product range and stockholding at its existing 3-acre site.

At Buildrite Trade & DIY Supplies, brothers Jason and Luke House have developed their father’s original roofing business into one of the area’s most successful independent merchants. As well as offering a wide range of building, roofing, timber and sheet materials, Buildrite has a well-established kitchen and bathroom showroom, a large self-service area and a tool hire point.

Welcoming the two merchants into membership, Richard Jones, south west regional manager at the BMF, highlighted the positive effect that a regular programme of local meetings and training events has had in boosting membership in the region.

He said: “I’m delighted that two more thriving independent companies have recognised the benefits of BMF membership and I’m sure that both will participate fully and make the most of the opportunities to network with other members in the region as well as at our national events.

“The opening of the first south west Regional Centre of Excellence at RGB in Tiverton means we now have a focal point for training as well as meetings. The south west BMF Diploma in Merchanting study group meets there regularly, we are running two of our most popular one-day courses, Excellence in Customer Service & Maximising Margin, in early November and it will also be the venue for the next south west Regional Meeting on 13 September.

Mr Jones continued: “Having a regular programme of events in the south west is an undoubtedly helping to boost our presence in the region, and I look forward to welcoming more local merchants, including others in the h&b group, into membership soon.”