Watch BMBI debate videos for Expert insight on key construction issues
The latest Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) round table debate is now available to watch online at bmbi.co.uk/debates/round-table-debate-2023/.
The debate was held recently at the headquarters of the Builders Merchant Federation (BMF) in Coventry, with expert commentary on crucial industry issues including climate change, skills and capacity, digitalising to modernise the industry, modern methods of construction, and building safety.
“This seventh annual debate more than lived up to expectations,” commented Mike Rigby, CEO of MRA Research, which organised the event. “It quickly became clear that we can solve some industry challenges ourselves – skills shortages, digitalisation, for example – even if progress has been disappointing. Meeting other challenges depends on political parties and Government becoming part of the solution rather than part of the problem.”
The debate was chaired by Tim Wood, editor of Builders Merchant News (BMN) magazine, which featured a special supplement and summary transcripts of the debate, available to read online on the BMN website. “For extra insight and detail, watch the videos,” advises Mike. The videos are broken down by topics, with useful ‘trailers’ for each debating point, and links will be shared on social media on LinkedIn or @theBMBI on X.”
Speakers included BMBI Experts from companies including the BMF, Brett Martin, Deceuninck, Heidelberg Materials, ECI Software Solutions, Keystone Lintels, Owlett-Jaton, and Wienerberger. They each brought unique perspectives from key industry sectors such as bricks and blocks, cement and aggregates, data management, fasteners and fixings, lintels, plumbing and drainage, and windows and doors.
Set up and run by MRA Research, the BMBI – a brand of the Builders Merchants Federation – is a monthly index of builders’ merchant sales, and the most reliable, up-to-date measure of Repair, Maintenance, and Improvement (RMI) activity in the UK. The index is based on actual sales from GfK’s Builders’ Merchant Point of Sale Tracking Data, which captures value sales out to builders from generalist builders’ merchants, accounting for 92% of total sales from builders’ merchants throughout Great Britain. An in-depth review, which includes commentary by sector experts, is provided each quarter.
