Kestrel builds links with Builder’s Merchant Federation

UPVC fascia, cladding and roofline manufacturer Kestrel has joined the Builder’s Merchant Federation.

The move follows a period of growth for the BMF, which now has 850 merchant and supplier companies who together have combined sales of over £44bn and employ over 225,000 people in the building materials industry. 

Kestrel sales and marketing director Owen Thorogood (pictured below) said the decision to join the BMF was in recognition of the support it gives to the industry.

He comments: “Having started out in builder’s merchants, I know the value of the support, training, advocacy and insights available through BMF.

“They have really stepped up during the difficult years of the pandemic, which was such a difficult time for independent merchants. Kestrel is really proud to support an organisation that is showing such leadership in the industry.”

As the trade body for builder’s merchants, the BMF is the only organisation that represents and protects the interests of merchants and suppliers in the building industry and is allied industry groups and regulatory bodies such as trading standards and planning departments, to ensure that issues affecting member merchants and suppliers are tackled promptly and effectively. 

The organisation also offers industry insights through Builder Merchants Building Index (BMBI), which most recently showed builders’ merchants’ sales were up almost 15% in May 2022 compared to May 2021. Prices increased by almost 18% while volume sales went down 2.5% year-on-year.

Oz Bham, business development manager for the BMF, welcomes Kestrel: “We are delighted to have Kestrel join BMF as a supplier. The value of the BMF starts in its membership and the combination of merchants and suppliers like Kestrel makes a stronger, united voice for the whole industry.”