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“With new branches, additional staff and an expanded product range, we continue to grow to become the biggest player in Flanders”
BMB Building materials, one of the largest and leading distributors of building materials in Flanders, today moves to a brand new building in Hamme. The new site, right next to the old one, is more conveniently arranged and offers a more extensive product range, tailored to the increasing demand for renovation materials. Collecting materials will also be a lot easier. Following last year's acquisitions, the move in Hamme is part of the company's growth ambitions: “Within three to five years, we want to reach the 500-million-euro annual turnover mark.”, says Marco Van Grinsven, managing director of BMB Bouwmaterialen. To that end, the construction distributor plans to recruit at least 15 additional employees in the coming year.
Renovation is on the rise. More than new buildings, Flemings today opt for demolition and renovation, partly driven by legal incentives such as the Flemish Renovation Obligation and the European climate objectives, partly by the high interest rate on home loans. BMB Bouwmaterialen responds to this trend and therefore adapts its product range. Also in Hamme.
In the 1,000 m² ‘Proshop’, self-builders and building professionals will now find a more extensive range of wood, work clothing, masonry tools, bricks and insulation materials, in addition to the classic building materials. This is possible thanks to a more efficient layout and more shelf space. Additional materials for roofing and cladding, whether or not cut to size, milled or drilled, have also been added to the range.
The products are well thought-out, clear and structured on the shelves, saving customers time. Collecting materials is also much more efficient in the new location: thanks to the covered drive-by, customers load their purchases quickly, and dry, into their cars. The entire site is now also in a BMB jacket, which provides a completely new shopping experience compared to the previous location.
“BMB Bouwmaterialen not only wants to be the biggest player in the Flemish construction market, we really want to take a pioneering role as a multi-specialist. By responding to market demand with our range, we want to make things as easy as possible for our customers. They have enough on their minds while renovating, so when they come to us for materials, we want them to find everything they are looking for, and preferably as quickly as possible!” , says Marco Van Grinsven, Managing Director BMB Bouwmaterialen
In the new shop, more than 30 employees are ready to assist customers even better. Gert Laureys (41) is from Hamme and has been managing the team as store manager since September. The move to the new location required a great deal of organisation from the entire team.
“A move like this obviously involves a lot of work and uncertainty, but it is also hugely exciting and thrilling. To say that it creates a positive vibe within the team is an understatement,” says Gert Laureys. “We also want to convey that enthusiasm to our customers. It is nice to work for a fast-growing company in a sector that is constantly innovating. New materials and techniques, for example, keep us all on our toes. The colleagues here want to be with those trends, so they can use their expertise to help customers move forward. That I get to do this job a stone's throw from home, for customers from my own municipality, makes it all the more interesting.”
The revamped shop is located at Zonneke 7 in Hamme, near the N41. Highly visible and still easily accessible. The new site has more than enough parking space. You can visit from Monday to Friday from 06:00 to 18:00 and on Saturday from 08:00 to 12:00.
From 27 November to 1 December, the opening of the new ‘Proshop’ will be celebrated with promotions, training sessions, demonstrations, coffee and coffee cakes in the morning and a food truck in the afternoon. Customers who collect at least EUR 50 will receive a scratch card and have a chance to win great prizes, including a balloon flight. The first 100 customers that week will receive a free bucket full of useful gadgets anyway.
Since 2019, BMB has been part of the BME Group, one of Europe's highest-performing companies in building materials distribution. Over the past 2 years, BMB realised no less than 20% extra turnover (€160m in 2022 vs €133m in 2020). They did so partly thanks to acquisitions of new sites (from 9 sites in 2021 to 14 sites in 2023). The workforce grew from 240 to 320 employees over the same period.
BMB Bouwmaterialen wants to keep growing. In a three- to five-year term, they want to reach the 500-million-euro annual turnover mark. They want to realise this solid growth ambition through renovations of existing branches, takeovers and opening new locations with a more extensive offering. Also in Wallonia.
No growth, without people. By 2024, BMB Bouwmaterialen will recruit at least 15 additional profiles. The company is continuously looking for loyal, motivated employees in various roles. An Gillis (38) started as branch manager in 2016 and is now part of the management team. She witnessed the company's growth at close quarters.
“BMB Building Materials wants to be a forerunner. That means you have to be creative in your job and it brings a lot of challenges. Change always comes with trial and error, but if you are willing to go for it yourself and learn from your mistakes, opportunities will definitely come your way. After seven years at BMB Building Materials, I still feel that my opinion is valued. Apart from my own career path, I also saw numerous other employees take on new roles in the organisation. From counter clerk to category manager, from driver to dispatcher... It's perfectly possible, as long as you believe in it yourself!” testifies An Gillis, sales and operations manager at BMB Bouwmaterialen.
At the moment, BMB Bouwmaterialen has no fewer than 15 vacancies across Belgium. For the head office and various branches, the construction distributor is looking for account managers, branch managers, showroom staff, HR staff and finance staff, among others. Wondering if your dream job is among them? Then be sure to surf to https://www.werkenbijbmb.be.
