The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has announced the five regional nominations for the title of BMF Training Company of the Year.
The five finalists have been selected for their commitment in supporting and developing their teams through their use of BMF training.
The nominated companies are:
BPS Builders Merchants – North west England, West Midlands & North Wales
Dumfries Timber Co – Scotland & Northern Ireland
Chandler Material Supplies – London and Southern England
Howarth Timber & Building Supplies – North east England, East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humberside
LBS – South west England and South Wales
BPS, based in Leamington, is said to incorporate a range of BMF courses within its 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 south west Scotland but is said to have consistently provided more training per employee than any other member in its region. In the past year the company’s training with BMF has run from Apprenticeships to Foundation Degrees.
Family-owned Chandler Material Supplies has committed to a sales-focused bespoke development plan and has reportedly worked closely with the BMF to ensure key areas were covered to achieve its objectives. This has included 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 is said to regularly send delegates to sector Forums as part of its informal training.
With 16 outlets in south west Wales, the LBS training culture incorporates a mix of classroom based and online learning. The company has over 200 registered BMF Campus users on a bespoke platform, a 10-strong Diploma in Merchant Management group and has 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 www.bmf.org.uk/events or contact june.upton@bmf.org.uk.
