The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) is set for a year of celebration with three major events taking place during 2018 to commemorate a trio of landmark anniversaries.

As well as the 40th anniversary of the Builders’ Merchants Federation itself, the BMF is marking 110 years as a Trade Body and 5 years since it relocated from London to its current HQ in Coventry.

To celebrate these milestones in the BMF’s history, the Federation is holding:

  • Its first Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons
  • Its first Young Merchants’ Conference
  • An anniversary dinner for 200 members at the Belfry
  • A one-off supplement in March’s issue of BMN.

The Parliamentary Reception, which takes place on April 24th, will be hosted by Jim Cunningham, MP for Coventry South where BMF head office is based. The event will bring together an invited audience of BMF members, MPs and Peers to network, and to promote and explain the role, value and importance of merchants within the building supply chain.

The Anniversary Dinner for BMF members, on November 29th, sees the BMF return to the award-winning Belfry Hotel in Warwickshire, where the BMF celebrated its Trade Body centenary in 2008. Known for its world class golf courses and state of the art leisure facilities, the Belfry was named as England’s Leading Resort and Leading Conference Hotel at the World Travel Awards 2017.

Details of the first Young Merchants’ Conference, which takes place on October 11th, will be finalised later this month.

John Newcomb, the BMF’s Chief Executive, said: “This is a very special year for the BMF and we have planned three very different events which both commemorate the merchant industry’s heritage and look forward to a vibrant future. While much has changed over the years, the BMF’s support for the industry and our members remains as strong as ever. We look forward to working, and celebrating, with as many members as possible throughout this milestone year.”

For the special supplement in March BMN and the BMF is gathering historic photographs and memorabilia from the industry’s 110 year history. Companies that wish to contribute should email christine.wall@bmf.org.uk to share in the BMF’s anniversary celebrations.