BMF One Voice - December 2013

Issue: December 2013

News | Business | Products | Training | Publications | Diary

in this issue

BMF Members’ Day 2013

What BMF is doing in Parliament

BMF Branch Managers Forum

Landmark buying groups agreement

Preferential Credit Guarantee Scheme is secured for Members ADE CREDIT E TR

R E GUA ANTEE NC

ERPRISE FINA NT

This scheme enables merchants to offer credit to trade customers that fall outside the normal risk profile, or have reached their credit limit.

This important government-backed initiative is aimed at the grassroots of the building industry, and will play a key role in helping merchants and their customers – especially the smaller tradesmen – to achieve growth, by unlocking credit for hard-pressed building firms. Merchants will now be able to offer credit to customers who have insufficient credit rating or a low credit limit, and it will also open the door to new customers who would otherwise not qualify for credit or increased borrowing.

The scheme has been welcomed by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) which represents the interests of small and medium sized building firms.

• Road Fuel Duty: work to have the then Chancellor cancel planned rises on petrol and diesel pump prices • ‘Get Britain Building‘ campaign: main partner and lobbying activist

New leaflet on our transport services

BMF

Transport Plus

The scheme uses the government’s Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme and we are currently negotiating £50 million of funding for a pilot which ends in March 2014. If it proves successful, it is hoped that government funding will continue into the next financial year.

✚ Full Operators’ Licence Compliance Audit, Report and Follow up ✚ BMF Drivers’ Handbook for all your Drivers ✚ Telephone Support ✚ Mobile Plant Procedures and Control ✚ Cost effective Tachograph Analysis

MF573 Transport Plus.indd 1

05/09/2013 14:29

Latest training options for merchants and suppliers

> Regional > In-company > Distance Learning > On-line > Modular

Our recently revised website www.bmf.org.uk gives current news and full access to the archive of statistical, training and business data. Supplier Members have their own login and passwords.

The BMF Annual Members’ Day and Dinner, reports on BMF activities and new initiatives, with prominent business speakers. Supplier Members are invited to take trade stands and attend the networking dinner with merchants. The 2013 event will be held at Whittlebury Hall, Northamptonshire, on 17/18 September.

Training support from the Merchant Industry Specialists

Attendance at local regional meetings is another invaluable way of keeping in contact.

MF505 Training Prospectus Final.indd 1

What criteria do I need to provide to join?

The BMF runs a wide range of training and skills development that is directly relevant for Suppliers, from Sales staff to Managers and Directors. Training can be arranged privately in your company or you can send employees to open courses at convenient local venues.

Run by qualified trainers, the courses are accredited as appropriate to national standards. Typical charges are from as little as £122 per day.

• You should be a manufacturer of goods used in the building materials industry, or be an extractor of bulk materials used in the industry

Training includes: • NVQ Level 2 or 3 qualifications (Government subsidised to most 16 – 25 year olds) • Forklift and Banksman training, including CPC training • Skills training such as sales and margin management • Health and Safety (IOSH Certified) and Customer Care Distance Learning

• A detailed training needs analysis can be undertaken for your company • The BMF Campus on-line product knowledge portal promotes modules sourced from manufacturers and suppliers helping to maximise their investment

OneVoice Issue: October 2012

News | Business | Products | Training | Publications | Diary

this month’s publications

Members’ Day invitation and booking form

Kitchen & Bathroom Design Courses

BMF Diploma in Merchanting

Get Britain Building – Update

BMF All-Industry Conference 2013 Registration Form

dates for your diary

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aliquam vehicula nibh eu velit sagittis dictum. Aliquam erat volutpat. Aliquam bibendum, dolor vitae sodales malesuada, sapien lacus varius tellus, nec dictum orci mi at dolor.

Curabitur sapien urna, ornare et accumsan nec, lobortis ac ligula. Integer vulputate libero sit amet magna bibendum sed luctus felis elementum. Sed ullamcorper, metus et blandit semper, orci nibh dictum risus, eget volutpat tellus nisi ac dui. Sed imperdiet fermentum vestibulum. Cras urna nisl, tempor vel tempor a, dignissim at ante.

Phasellus pulvinar porta erat, quis imperdiet nibh ultricies sed. Cras mauris ante, consequat in hendrerit quis, accumsan ullamcorper libero. Phasellus vel fermentum nunc. In adipiscing augue nec sapien feugiat et hendrerit purus bibendum. Nulla facilisis mattis ultricies. Fusce libero lacus, congue sit amet consequat ac, fringilla at justo. Ut sagittis orci eu elit placerat posuere.

Donec fermentum urna id diam vulputate interdum. Donec dapibus neque in nisl pellentesque sit amet ullamcorper lorem volutpat. Etiam ultricies commodo elementum. Duis ut ligula non

2012 / 2013 September 13 25-26

BMF Yorkshire Region Meeting + Golf, Ganton Timber Expo, Ricoh Arena, Coventry

October 8 9

BMF Members’ Day Dinner BMF Members’ Day, Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel, Meriden

November 7

CPA Autumn Lunch, London

22

BMF Young Merchants Meeting, London

23

Builders Merchants Awards for Excellence Lunch, Lancaster Hotel, London

2013 Aliquam bibendum, dolor vitae sodales malesuada, sapien lacus varius tellus, nec dictum orci mi at dolor. Curabitur sapien urna, ornare et accumsan nec, lobortis ac ligula. Integer vulputate libero sit amet magna bibendum sed luctus felis elementum. Sed ullamcorper, metus et blandit semper, orci nibh dictum risus, eget volutpat tellus nisi ac dui. Sed imperdiet fermentum vestibulum. Cras urna nisl, tempor vel tempor a, dignissim at ante.

BMF goes to OFT on loft insulation distortion Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aliquam vehicula nibh eu velit sagittis dictum. Aliquam erat volutpat.

Phasellus pulvinar porta erat, quis imperdiet nibh ultricies sed. Cras mauris ante, consequat in hendrerit quis, accumsan ullamcorper libero. Phasellus vel fermentum nunc.

In adipiscing augue nec sapien feugiat et hendrerit purus bibendum. Nulla facilisis mattis ultricies. Fusce libero lacus, congue sit amet consequat ac, fringilla at justo. Ut sagittis orci eu elit placerat posuere.

June 20-23 BMF All Industry Conference, Tivoli Marina Hotel, Vilamoura, Portugal

Identify with the BMF Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Aliquam vehicula nibh eu velit sagittis dictum. Aliquam erat volutpat. Aliquam bibendum, dolor vitae sodales malesuada, sapien lacus varius tellus, nec dictum orci mi at dolor. Curabitur sapien urna, ornare et accumsan nec, lobortis ac ligula. Integer our industry. my BMF

How do I know what the BMF is doing?

Members receive BMF Business News, (a monthly e-news briefing) and ‘One Voice’ (a printed newsletter sent quarterly). We will also contact you regularly by email with updates on forthcoming BMF events, local meetings, training courses etc.

training

SOLUTIONS Prospectus

Training - How do I arrange, where is it, and what are the costs?

• BMF Diploma (for trainee Managers) and Foundation Degree awarded by the University of the West of England

The BMF scheme will support credit offered to sole traders, partnerships and limited companies with an annual turnover of up to £41 million, and will guarantee up to 75% of additional credit offered to each

Spotlight on new literature

customer, subject to an overall cap of 15% of a merchant’s additional credit portfolio.

The scheme does not replace merchants’ existing credit insurance arrangements.

• Boiler Scrappage Scheme: designing and implementing joint industry and Government replacement scheme

Around the regions

• You may be admitted to Supplier Membership if, in the opinion of the BMF Membership Panel, your membership will improve the relationship between merchants and the providers of their main commodities • You will be expected to pursue an acceptable merchants trading policy, with preferential terms offered for stockholding merchants

Why should you be a BMF Supplier Member?

• You may be either a nationwide or regional supplier to merchant members of the BMF You will be expected to comply with the terms of the BMF Charter regarding the following positive expectations of trading between you and your merchant customers: • Clear proactive policy statement for the committed stockist • Commitment to merchant sales and marketing initiatives • Principles used for terms to be clear and equitable • No negotiations with merchant’s customers which distort competitiveness • Clear minimum order values for direct deliveries • Product training support • Commitment to cost reduction in the supply chain

27/08/2013 09:51

See the benefits of BMF Supplier Membership

• Speedy technical and administrative support

What is the cost to my business to become a member?

The cost of membership is determined by your annual turnover. Subscriptions start from £600. Please contact the BMF for details.

my business. my BMF my training. my BMF my lobbying. my BMF

Head Office 1180 Elliott Court, Coventry Business Park Herald Avenue, Coventry CV5 6UB Email: info@bmf.org.uk www.bmf.org.uk

London Office The Building Centre, 26 Store Street, London WC1E 7BT Email: info@bmf.org.uk www.bmf.org.uk

MF527 Supplier Member leaflet.indd 1-2

www.bmf.org.uk

23/04/2013 14:53

BMF agrees first plumbing group membership with PHG We are delighted to announce another FIRST as we have agreed our Plumbing & Heating first group membership scheme with a specialist plumbing and heating buying group, PHG. This initiative and fast growing group is the country’s leading independent buying organisation for the sector, representing 21 merchants, with 215 trade counters and 92 bathroom showrooms throughout the UK.

The key group membership agreement starts on 1st January 2014 and will see 14 new members join the BMF, with the other 7 PHG merchants already in membership.

John Newcomb comments: “This is the BMF’s third buying group agreement and I am especially pleased to welcome PHG members to the BMF. There has been a misperception that the BMF doesn’t represent plumbing and heating interests, but if there was any justification for this view in the past, it is definitely not

the case today. We are listening to what’s important to every sector of the merchanting industry and will proactively represent all members’ best interests.”

With a growing number of plumbing, heating and bathroom specialists coming into membership, the BMF is creating a separate identity for the sector and setting up a new group and specific meetings for the specialist merchants and suppliers.

Members’ Day 2013 Driving for Success At this year’s Members’ Event, we had so much content, that we ran out of time – but I hope that this left our members ‘wanting more’ – and that’s what we plan to deliver next year.

But, to round up 2013, we demonstrated our vision of One Industry, One Voice, in all our business and parliamentary dealings, new initiatives and focus going forwards.

“Well done on what I consider to be the best BMF Members’ Day I’ve been to so far.

Excellent venue and excellent theme which all speakers linked in to so well.”

Steve Vickers, Turnbull & Co.

We concluded our successful move to Coventry, launched our new website and numerous publications. We recruited new, enthusiastic and talented people at HQ and we organised a very successful industry conference. We forged partnerships with buying groups such as IBC and NBG, which brought on board an additional 81 members.

This has seen our membership grow from 324 members in August 2012 to 393 in August 2013.

We announced a government-backed trade credit pilot scheme (full details on Page 1), and the BMF/Peugeot Affinity Scheme (Page 3) which was warmly received at Whittlebury Hall where Peugeot had vehicles on show.

At Members’ Day one of our biggest announcements was our young people recruitment initiative which is aimed at encouraging school and college leavers to look at the merchant industry as a serious and exciting career choice.

We will be launching a new customer charter next year with new customer-focussed literature and point of sale displays.

Thank you to our members for their continued support and to the BMF team for their hard work in delivering another successful Members’ Day event.

John Newcomb

2014 Members’ Day : 16-17 September

What BMF is doing in Parliament efficiency and fuel poverty. We also sought clarity on Labour’s position on VAT rates and business taxation.

Dan Byles MP (Con, North Warwickshire) and John Newcomb (BMF

Autumn time is party political conference time, and we were active in Conference Hall debates and joined in Fringe meetings. The BMF conducted one-toone talks with MPs or Council Leaders on the specific issues that affect our industry and our members. Our work in this arena has evolved. Lobbying took a different form this year, and we see our adoption of one-to-one conversations and two-way exchanges as being a much improved way of working. As a result politicians are now looking to us for updates on construction industry and supply-chain issues.

In Brighton we learned about Labour’s plans on housing and planning and development, household energy

Manchester’s Conservative conference announced its move to begin the second phase of its Help to Buy housing scheme three months earlier than planned, and to hear about the issue of available land.

GOOD NEWS Fuel Duty All planned rises in Fuel Duty between now and May 2015 General Election have been cancelled.

Conservative Ministers in the Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland Depts.

BMF Peugeot Affinity Scheme helps drive members’ business forward We are pleased to tell members that we have negotiated a vehicle affinity scheme with Peugeot Contract Hire (PCH) that will ease fleet costs and help drive BMF members’ business forward.

vehicles, valued at £400 on a typical 36-month contract, and a bonus £250 cashback on every contract to spend on any BMF training programme.

The scheme offers preferential leasing rates on the range of Peugeot Vans and Cars, and across the entire vehicle range, the preferential rates agreed offer an average saving of almost 8%. In addition, BMF members will benefit from a free upgrade to metallic paint on passenger

Members should visit peugeotcontracthire.co.uk/bmf for more information on the offers available.

This is a fantastic deal for any size of business.

VAT Labour policy appears to be to stick to their 2011 Party Conference commitment to introduce a temporary cut in the standard rate from 20% to 17½% for the first year of a Labour Government.

MEPs who face Elections next May are aware of the legal action by the European Commission on the British Government’s policy of 5% VAT for certain energy-saving measures. The BMF asked Conservatives to keep up pressure on the Government to defend itself stoutly when the case goes to court. Tory MEPs see it as a vote-winner for UKIP and do not want Whitehall to give in easily.

John Newcomb (BMF) and Cathy Jamieson MP, Labour Member for Kilmarnock

Report on Party Conferences fines or possible confiscation. This “Use It or Lose It” policy is aimed at property developers who do not start work onsite straightaway.

Graham Jones MP (Lab, Hyndburn), John Newcomb (BMF) and Steve Rotherham MP (Lab, Liverpool Walton)

NOT SO GOOD NEWS VAT Suspicion that Treasury Ministers - on advice from the HMRC - will not put up a strong fight to defend the current stance on 5% VAT for certain energy-saving improvements.

Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation Labour’s announcement it will abolish the Green Deal if it wins the 2015 election (replacing it with a new energy-saving scheme) causes further uncertainty.

Labour’s most controversial idea is to force developers who hold sites with planning permission already granted to start building - or face new controls,

Shadow Housing Minister, Jack Dromey MP, met the BMF. We told him statutory powers like Compulsory Purchase Orders, or charges and fines, are easy options.

They risk antagonising the customers of merchants at a time when BMF members are seeing on-the-ground activity getting going again. In return for firms building more, local councils could lessen planning fees and negotiate less onerous S.106 agreements and Community Infrastructure Levy payments.

Robin Walker (Con, Worcester) and John Newcomb (BMF)

Nick Boles MP, Planning Minister and Brett Amphlett (BMF)

For the Conservatives, our message was for ministers to hold their nerve to complete the reforms they have begun. The Duty to Co-operate on local authorities is not working as it should.

How local authorities interpret and implement new Planning Development Rights is critical. If not, cases will end up in the courts, which is not desirable for merchants and their customers.

For a full transcript of our Parliamentary Report, please telephone or email Chris Harding for a copy at chris.harding@bmf.org.uk

Around The Regions

BMF North East Region, Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham

WPL played host to the BMF Central Southern Region plus a factory tour

BMF Midlands Region at Coventry

John Newcomb presents Glynis Catterson, Simpson & Allinson with the winner’s shield for the second year running of the BMF MasterMerchant competition.

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Branch Managers’ Forum

BRANCH

A series of ‘firsts’ for BMF in 2014

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A landmark for BMF which is running its first ever Branch Managers’ Forum in 2014. This two-day F 20 event will be packed with seminars, masterclasses, 30 April & 1 May and talks from industry experts and inspirational guest speaker Penny Mallory – the first woman to compete in a World Rally car, now a broadcaster, presenter and author.

Two honoured with BMF Apprentice of the Year Awards At this year’s Members’ Day Event, two outstanding merchant apprentices were honoured with a prestigious BMF Apprenticeship of the Year Award that acknowledges exceptional candidates enrolled on the BMF Apprenticeship (NVQ Level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeship (NVQ level 3) schemes.

The Forum will take place on 30 April – 1 May 2014 at BMF Headquarters.

Look out for further information coming soon.

Nathan Medlam (centre)

James Matlock (centre)

19-year old Nathan Medlam who is a yardman at Milford’s in Leeds was named Apprentice of the Year (NVQ Level 2), sponsored by Aggregate Industries, and James Matlock, now group sales and service trainer at Ridgeons in Cambridge, scooped the Apprentice of the Year Award for NVQ Level 3 candidates, sponsored by the Institute of Builders Merchants.

John Newcomb announced the winners and presented the trophy and cheques to help with their continued vocational training with the BMF.

Young People Recruitment

In-Branch Training

Next year we launch this key initiative to encourage school and college leavers to consider a career in merchanting. Our high profile campaign will be rolled out nationally through schools, colleges and Job Centre Plus, to advise young people of our exciting, vibrant industry and the wealth of opportunities that exist.

Another exciting FIRST from BMF, results-driven training and coaching, designed to improve branch performance through analysing the training needs of the individual and creating a bespoke programme to get the best out of the team.

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Young Merchant Achiever of the Year Award This first ever award, is a joint initiative between BMJ and the BMF and is designed to recognise and reward achievements of younger Steven Rennie (left) members of the merchanting community who represent the future of our industry. The winner Steven Rennie of Keith Builders Merchants received a £3,000 cash prize from BMJ and the BMF and from award sponsor SCA Timber, a trip to Sweden and an SCA trophy.

BMF and forge landmark agreement Dates for your Diary 2014

In the first initiative of its kind the BMF is working with Miller Homes to identify a regional network of merchant members with the capacity to supply the Top Ten housebuilder. This is an exciting and potentially huge opportunity for all BMF merchant members to benefit from working with Miller Homes which spends around £30m a year either directly or via its subcontract supply chain.

This is the first time that the BMF has worked closely with a major housebuilder to open up a multi-million pound commercial opportunity for members, which stemmed from discussions with Miller Homes’ Procurement and Sustainability Director, Garry McDonald, who was a keynote speaker at this year’s All Industry Conference.

We are delighted to be working with Miller Homes to facilitate the process.

At the time of reading this, candidates will have registered their interest with Miller Homes and the BMF. Two ‘Meet the Miller’ sessions will be held next month. We have been pleased with the response and will be writing to candidates in January with further details.

Welcome to New Members Suppliers Abacus Direct Carlton Brick Fabdec Gastite Kalsi Plastics Long Rake Spa SIG plc

Merchants Baudains Trade Supplies Beesley & Fildes Gardner & Scardifield Hangar 4 Jones & Shuffs M & T Builders Middleton Forge Rembrand Timber Undercover Roofing Supplies

BMF supports the Rainy Day Trust, our nominated charity.

15 Jan

BMF Regional Chairman’s Meeting, BMF, Coventry

24 Jan

BMF Scottish Region, Burns Supper, Free Trades Hall, Glasgow

16-18 Feb

Totally Tools Exhibition, Coventry

4-6 Mar

Ecobuild, London

11 Mar

BMF South West Region, Venue tbc

26 Mar

BMF Scottish Region, Venue tbc

27 Mar

BMF North West Region, IKO PLC, Appley Bridge

3 Apr

BMF North East Region, Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham

8 Apr

BMF Yorkshire Region, Venue tbc

10 Apr

BMF Anglia Region, Ridgeons Ltd, Pampisford

30 Apr - 1 May

2-Day BMF Branch Managers’ Forum, BMF, Coventry

14 May

BMF East Midlands Region, and Midlands Region BMF Head Office, Coventry

19-22 Jun

All Industry Conference, Tenerife

11-13 Jul

BMF MasterMerchant Competition, Lake District

11-13 Jul

FEST – 54th Annual Lightside Congress, Munich

16-17 Sept

BMF Members’ Day, Whittlebury Hall Hotel, Towcester

7 Oct

BMF Anglia Region, Venue tbc

9 Oct

BMF North East Region, Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham

16 Oct

BMF North West Region, Venue tbc

22 Oct

BMF East Midlands Region, Green Energy Centre, John A Stephens Ltd., Nottingham

29 Oct

BMF Midlands Region, BMF Head Office, Coventry

9 Dec

BMF Yorkshire Region, Middlethorpe Hall Hotel, York

Dear Member

1180 Elliott Court Coventry Business Park Herald Avenue Coventry CV5 6UB Tel: 02476 854980 Fax: 02476 854981 Email: info@bmf.org.uk www.bmf.org.uk

Welcome to the second edition of our new newsletter One Voice which is packed with interesting articles and features on some of the key activities that the BMF has been involved with since our last newsletter in July.

Looking back on 2013 it certainly has been a momentous year in the history of the BMF. Since I joined the BMF as Managing Director just over 16 months ago we have redesigned our brand identity, introduced a new corporate strap line of “One Industry, One Voice”, developed a new web site, redesigned all of our corporate brochures and training material, relocated our offices from Central London to Coventry, recruited 6 new members of staff, launched a new membership recruitment campaign and, most importantly, created a new corporate culture for our business which puts you, our members, at the heart of everything we do. I am pleased to inform you that all of these changes have had a very positive effect on membership.

For the first time in over 10 years the BMF’s membership is increasing with over 90 new members joining us in the last 12 months. From January 1st we will represent over 410 merchants and suppliers, our highest membership numbers since 2009 who, collectively, have combined sales of over £12 billion and employ over 75,000 people in the building materials industry. I am also personally very proud of the fact that we now have 3 of the major buying groups, IBC, NBG and from the 1st January, PHG, in collective Group membership.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of the BMF throughout this year. Although the year started poorly there is now real evidence of a growing market for the first time since 2007 and we should look to 2014 with a degree of confidence and cautious optimism about what the New Year will bring. I have no doubt that next year will be another year of continuous change for the Industry and another year where belonging to a Trade Association such as the BMF will be of even greater importance.

The BMF will continue to look at new initiatives in 2014 and I am pleased to say that there are already two major events planned - a 2 Day Branch Managers Forum and a BMF Youth Recruitment Campaign. Both will be held in the Spring and both are a BMF ‘First’. Details will be sent to you in the New Year.

May I take this opportunity of wishing you, your family and your colleagues a very Happy Christmas and a very healthy and prosperous New Year from myself and the whole team at the BMF and I look forward to your continued support in helping us to achieve our Vision of “One Industry, One Voice”.

Yours sincerely

John Newcomb Managing Director London Office The Building Centre, 26 Store Street, London WC1E 7BT Tel: 0203 581 1313 Fax: 0203 602 4747 Builders Merchants Federation Limited Registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965 No. 31516R Registered Office: 1180 Elliott Court, Coventry Business Park, Herald Avenue, Coventry CV5 6UB

BMF SUPPORTS THE RAINY DAY TRUST The BMF this year adopted the Rainy Day Trust as its nominated charity for the next 12 months.

The RDT is the only charity which exists solely to help people who have worked in the UK’s home improvement industry and in the last 10 years has given away more than £1.4m to beneficiaries of all ages.

Anyone who has worked in the industry for a minimum of five years during their careers is eligible to apply for financial assistance from the RDT should they fall on hard times. This can be in any capacity from retail to distribution to manufacture.

To qualify for financial assistance from the Rainy Day Trust, applicants must have worked in the relevant industry sectors for a minimum of five years during their careers.

Contact Diane Stevens at diane@rainydaytrust.org.uk for further details.

Improve your branch performance... be part of the first ever BMF Branch Managers Forum

30 April - 1 May 2014 at BMF Head Office, Coventry This TWO-DAY event at BMF Head Office will be packed full of seminars and masterclasses – all created to help you run your branch more effectively.

Hear industry experts talk on a wide variety of branch-related subjects, from health and safety, transport, employment, training, security, marketing and merchandising, leadership and management, and social media.

Be part of the product masterclasses on showrooms, plumbing & heating, insulation, bricks and blocks, roofing, landscaping, timber and the BMF Wellness Programme.

Entry is restricted to 2 Branch Managers per merchant company, so reserve your place today by contacting Christine Harding at chris.harding@bmf.org.uk, tel.02476 854982 or June Upton at june.upton@bmf.org.uk, tel. 02476 854980 for further information and registration details.

Forum Sponsors:

Media & Communications Partner:

BMF

Transport Plus

✚ Full Operators’ Licence Compliance Audit, Report and Follow up ✚ BMF Drivers’ Handbook for all your Drivers ✚ Telephone Support ✚ Mobile Plant Procedures and Control ✚ Cost effective Tachograph Analysis

BMF Transport Plus

Why is BMF Transport Plus good for you?

What does BMF Transport Plus contain?

BMF Transport Plus is designed to help you manage one of your biggest company cost centres – your vehicle fleet. Not only are vehicle operations a major area of expenditure but they are also one of the most heavily regulated areas of your business.

There are two options:

It is mandatory for a VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) enforcement team to assess an operator’s licence every five years or if their licence is new or they have issued a fixed penalty notice to the operator at the roadside.

If VOSA inspect a site and find the operator is not adhering to their undertakings, VOSA will inform the Traffic Commissioner.

The Traffic Commissioner will likely call the operator to a public inquiry to find out why and has the power to revoke, curtail or suspend the operator’s licence.

BMF Transport Plus will help ensure your company’s vehicle operations comply with the ever more onerous road transport regulations, drivers’ employment legislation and health & safety requirements.

The service is operated by Prompt Services, who are the BMF Transport Advisors. Their team of advisors are industry qualified and vastly experienced within the transport industry; many are ex VOSA officials. They work closely with leading transport lawyers throughout the UK. With their guidance, advice and recommendations, they will help you become compliant, remain compliant and protect your operator licence.

Option 1 is an annual subscription service that includes: • Minimum of two visits each year • A comprehensive transport operations and regulatory compliance audit undertaken at each of your outlets, from which a detailed written report with action plans is prepared • Unlimited telephone support • Access to ad hoc services at special rates • Copies of the BMF Drivers’ and Mobile Plant Operators’ Handbooks Where you have multiple operating centres additional days can be agreed as necessary.

Option 2 offers a range of one-off advisory services covering ‘O’ Licence compliance, vehicle and mobile plant operational advisory services and enforcement visit support advice, all arranged as required.

The Options in more detail: Option 1 Once you sign up to BMF Transport Plus we arrange an initial visit to undertake a Physical Survey of your principal premises and each of your other outlets as specified. The findings are then used to prepare a detailed audit report. Typical areas reviewed include: • Operators’ Licence Compliance • Vehicle Maintenance Policy • Vehicle Maintenance Documentation • Drivers’ Vehicle Checks and Defect Reporting

BMF Transport Plus

• Tachographs • Drivers’ Hours • Working Time Directive • Vehicle Utilisation • Vehicle Specification • Driving Licences • Loading Vehicles Mobile Plant • Maintenance Policy • Inspection Reports • Operator Checks • Operator Permits Of course this is just the beginning as the service aims to ensure you and your staff are fully equipped and advised on how to manage and resolve any issues that might arise.

they have the skills to guard your business and develop their potential to the full.

From the second year the number of subscribed days work will be as agreed but at least one visit will be for a short update to enable any operational changes to be incorporated.

Option 2 Services Advice and help on transport, vehicle operations and regulatory compliance advice can be arranged on a day to day basis if required. Typical areas might be: • Operators’ Licence Compliance concerns • A one off Audit and Report with comments and recommendations documenting the legal and practical obligations and outstanding requirements for your vehicle(s) • Setting up a Vehicle Maintenance Policy and Documentation • Drivers’ Hours and employment

Support After you have had time to consider your Audit Report, we will contact you to discuss how the recommendations in the Report are to be progressed and to identify what optional work requirements are required, e.g. to set up systems, remedy weaknesses, provide action plans and provide on-going support as necessary.

Tachograph Analysis Service

A Second Follow Up Visit This will be undertaken to your site – or sites as agreed – at a time or times requested by you, for monitoring progress, undertaking agreed additional work, maintenance and liaison. Multi-site companies may wish to aggregate some or all of their second visit days for the undertaking of additional work.

The service is internet based and the software used can be downloaded or it can be set up for you. Full training and support is also provided. Tachograph digital data is uploaded and reports are sent back to you instantly.

All common drivers’ hours and Working Time Directive legislation infringements are covered. Reports are supplied in Adobe PDF format, and can be automatically emailed directly to you.

Telephone Helpline We will aim to provide a maximum of eight hours or next day response to any queries received.

Handbooks In addition to the initial detailed audit report and recommendations, BMF Transport Plus Subscribers are also given a copy of the BMF Drivers’ Handbook for each of your drivers.

Training As a BMF Transport Plus Subscriber, you can enjoy preferential and discounted rates for BMF in-house training courses for your employees. This will ensure

BMF Members can take advantage of Prompt Services’ tachograph analysis service. All aspects of tachograph analysis are covered, from merchants with just a few lorries, to those with larger fleets in multiple branches.

The service can analyse both digital and analogue tachographs.

There are no upfront costs to use the system – it is operated on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis. And there are no significant investments in IT hardware or software. The charge is only £1.00 per week per driver, invoiced on a monthly basis.

The next step If you would like to find out more about how BMF Transport Plus could benefit your business, or for further information on other BMF Plus Services, simply complete the Enquiry Form overleaf.

BMF Transport Plus

Enquiry Form Do you have any further questions or would you like to join BMF Transport Plus now?

Complete the application form below and send back to us: Fax

02476 854981

Post BMF, 1180 Elliott Court, Coventry Business Park, Herald Avenue, Coventry CV5 6UB Email info@bmf.org.uk Your details Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Company: _________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Postcode: _____________________________________ Telephone: ________________________________________________ Fax: _____________________________________ Email: _____________________________________________________________________________________________

I am also interested in:

❏ Tachograph Analysis Service

internet based covering all aspects of digital and analogue analysis

❏ BMF Safety Plus

set up and maintain company procedures with expert health & safety advice to keep you and your employees safe

❏ BMF Employment Plus

bring your contracts of employment and handbooks up to date and receive personalised help and advice

❏ BMF Security Plus

have a full check of your security procedures or just use emergency assistance when you need it

© BMF MF573-BMF Transport Plus-09/13