The Builders Merchants Federation has announced the five regional nominations for the title of BMF Training Company of the Year, selected for their commitment in supporting and developing their teams through their use of BMF training.

The nominated companies are:

• BPS Builders Merchants - NW England, West Midlands & North Wales

• Dumfries Timber Co - Scotland & Northern Ireland

• Chandler Material Supplies - London and Southern England

• Howarth Timber & Building Supplies - NE England, East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humberside

• LBS - SW England and South Wales

BPS, based in Leamington, incorporates a range of BMF courses within their development programme. In particular they are developing young managers through the BMF Diploma in Merchant Management followed by the Foundation Degree.

Dumfries Timber, one of the BMF’s smaller member companies, operates from three branches in SW Scotland but has consistently provided more training per employee than any other member in their region. In the past year their training with BMF has run the gamut from Apprenticeships to Foundation Degrees.

Family-owned Chandler Material Supplies committed to a sales-focused bespoke development plan and worked closely with the BMF to ensure key areas were covered to achieve their objectives, for example an advanced training programme for sales executives, senior management and directors.

With over 30 branches, Howarth Timber has no fewer than 15 staff members on the BMF Diploma in Merchant Management course and regularly sends delegates to sector Forums as part of their informal training.

With 16 outlets in SW Wales, the LBS training culture incorporates a mix of classroom based and online learning. They have over 200 registered users BMF Campus users on a bespoke platform, a ten-strong Diploma in Merchant Management group and have run numerous in-company one and two day courses this year.

BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “It is great to hear about five such different companies with a shared commitment to developing their teams. I am particularly delighted that they are making full use of BMF’s training offer. Whoever wins the title, each of the nominated merchants are clearly winning in terms of building excellence within their own business.”

The overall winner will be announced at the BMF Members’ Awards Dinner, which takes place after the BMF Members’ Annual Conference on 19 September at St George’s Park, Burton on Trent, the home of England’s national football teams.

A limited number of delegate tickets are still available for the BMF Members’ Annual Conference and Awards Dinner. For more information visit the BMF website at www.bmf.org.uk/events or contact: june.upton@bmf.org.uk.