The Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI), a joint enterprise between GfK, the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) and MRA Marketing, has won the ‘Best Use of Research & Insight’ award at this year’s Construction Marketing Awards (CMAs).

A finalist in no fewer than four CMA categories in the 2020 awards, BMBI’s latest win highlights the continued success of the index and its stakeholders’ commitment to improving each year.

Over the past year, usage of the BMBI report within the construction sector has increased substantially, and it has also become more visible to people outside of the industry. The index now reaches decision-makers, advisors and influencers; economists; analysts and commentators; and in the past twelve months it has obtained extensive coverage in national and trade media, with over 200 press appearances for BMBI and its panel of experts.

“The success of the BMBI has exceeded all expectations both inside and outside the industry. In working together, the BMF, MRA and GfK have developed the most accurate analysis of current sales through UK builders’ merchants, adding an important segment to the available data on construction output. We are delighted that its value has been recognised in these Awards,” comments John Newcomb, CEO of Builders Merchants Federation.

Since July 2019, BMBI has also been a regular feature of the Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) monthly construction update.

“The BMBI has come a long way since winning ‘Best Product Launch’ at the 2017 CMAs,” says Mike Rigby, CEO of MRA Marketing. “In the last twelve months alone, the report’s print circulation has increased by 56%, with an 85% increase online. LinkedIn followers have gone through the roof, and five new BMBI Experts joined the panel. Best of all, in the words of the CMA judges, it now reaches regularly into the heart of Government at a senior level.

“While the data generated by BMBI – and the reporting of it – is hugely valuable and reveals the trends affecting the industry, the real power of BMBI lies in the quarterly analysis and interpretation of the data by experts, who explain trends, add perspective and give meaning. For building material and product brands, it has become a powerful and extremely cost-effective channel to reach the decision makers who matter.”

BMBI is the most reliable source of data for RMI, the UK’s housing repair, maintenance and improvement market. The index is based on data from GFK’s Builders Merchants Panel, which analyses sales by value from over 80% of the sales of the UK’s generalist builders’ merchants. Thirteen leading industry brands, the BMBI Experts, speaking for their markets, explain trends and issues and add insight and context to the data.

The CMAs are the only awards of their kind and are a national measure of excellence in construction marketing, research and strategy. Winners were announced at a virtual ceremony on 26^th November. View the full list of winners at www.cmawards.co.uk.