The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) is looking forward to a year of celebrations as 2018 marks its 40th anniversary as the BMF, 110 years as a trade body, and five years since it relocated from London to its current headquarter in Coventry. This trio of landmark anniversaries will be celebrated with a few events. “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,” said John Newcomb, Chief Executive at BMF. The company is holding its first Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons, its first Young Merchants’ Conference, and a special Anniversary Dinner for 200 members at the Belfry. The Parliamentary Reception will take place on the 24th of April and will be hosted by Jim Cunningham, MP for Coventry South, where BMF’s head office is based. The Anniversary Dinner is scheduled for the 29th of November at the Belfry Hotel in Warwickshire, where the company celebrated its trade body centenary in 2008. Details for the Young Merchants’ Conference on the 11th of October will be finalised later this month. “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,” added John. The Builders Merchants Federation is the only organisation to represent and protect the interests of builders merchants, plumbing, heating, roofing, decorative and timber merchants, and their suppliers. It has a membership of 640 merchant and supplier companies that together have combined sales of £28 billion and employ over 123,000 people in the building materials industry. It currently operates in over 5,000 branches across the UK and it is dedicated to the interests of its members, providing training and professional support.