Encon Insulation Merchant Development Director Mike Beard joins the Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) as the Expert for ‘Insulation Products – Distribution’ in the Q2 2016 report. Mike speaks exclusively for the insulation distribution market to explain trends, issues and new opportunities.

Encon Insulation is the leading independent UK distributor of thermal and acoustic insulation, fire protection and roofing materials. With over 20 branches nationwide, it is strategically placed to reach builders’ merchants across the country with a wide product range, reliable service and a highly knowledgeable team.

Mike Beard comments: “We’re pleased to join the BMBI as the Expert for the insulation products distribution market. It’s a great platform for us to comment on new trends and growth opportunities for builders’ merchants. For example, self-build housebuilding and small developers are growth markets but are harder for merchants to serve. They often feature more bespoke specifications, and smaller scale builders rely on expert advice from merchants to ensure they use the right product in the right way to achieve the performance they need to meet building regulations.

“It’s important that merchants can rely on their distribution partners for a high level of support, service and expertise so they can develop their self-build, small developers and builder customer business,” says Mike.

The BMBI is a brand of the Builders’ Merchant Federation (BMF). Launched and managed by MRA Marketing using data from GFK’s General Builders’ Merchant Panel, the BMBI fills a gap in the UK’s measure of building activity. With input from national and regional builders’ merchants accounting for over 80% of industry sales, no other indicator in construction is as comprehensive, up to date or reliable.

BMF Managing Director John Newcomb adds: “Awareness of BMBI is growing strongly in the industry and we are beginning to build awareness across construction and beyond. We are pleased to have Mike on board. The Experts are a crucial part of the Index. They speak for their markets and add perspective and context to the data.

“Although BMBI is very relevant for the construction industry,” continues John, “our main objective is to develop awareness and understanding of builders’ merchants, suppliers and our markets outside the industry and on a national scale. We’re moving in the right direction.”

Other Experts currently include: Timbmet, Knauf Insulation, Keylite, Hanson Cement, Keystone Lintels, Crystal Direct, IKO PLC, Alumasc Water Management Solutions.

For more information on Encon Insulation visit www.encon.co.uk. Follow @encon_group

For more information on BMBI visit www.bmbi.co.uk. If you’d like your brand to become an Expert and the voice of your market, call Tom Rigby of MRA Marketing on 01453 521621. Follow @TheBMBI