The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has launched the Kitchen & Bathroom Forum, bringing together members with responsibility for these product areas.

It will be chaired by Paul Bence, managing director of the George Bence Group.

His original role in the family-run business was with Obsidian its award-winning retail brand.

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The Group’s lightside business now encompasses multiple retail and trade showrooms with specification and design teams.

Paul took over as MD in 2010 and is an active member of the Fortis Buying Group, where he is trading director of all showroom business.

Commenting on his appointment, Paul Bence said: “Product diversification is an important aspect of the merchant industry, especially amongst the shrinking margins associated with the traditional commodity building material products.

“The BMF has clearly embraced the sector by creating this Forum. Personally I am honoured that the BMF has asked me to chair the group and I look forward to engaging in insightful conversation around the kitchen and bathroom supply chain.”

BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “Paul is the ideal chair for the K&B Forum, both for his knowledge of and success within the sector and for the breadth of his contacts amongst merchants and suppliers with an interest in this increasingly important area.

“The Forum concept is greatly appreciated by BMF members and the launch of the K&B Forum means we are now running 14 of these successful special interest groups.”

The first Kitchen & Bathroom Forum will be held on November 12 2019 at Roca’s conference and showroom facility in Leicester.

Part of the BMF is the Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI), which measures RMI activity in the market.

Sales and marketing director of Lakes Bathroom Mike Tattam has joined the BMBI panel.