The Builders Merchants Federation and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers have agreed a strategic alliance that will see the two organizations collaborating in key areas.

The BMF and the CIPHE are both committed to raising quality and standards within their respective industries. Progressing this ambition is one of the main objectives of their new alliance. They have also committed to have one voice on mutually agreed topics to government and other relevant bodies, and to add value to both existing memberships through guidance, training and standards.

As the professional body for the UK plumbing and heating industry, CIPHE has over 7,000 members including consultants, specifiers, designers and practitioners, as well as some 170 manufacturers and distributors, which support its work as Industrial Associates.

In recent years, the BMF has strengthened its support for specialist plumbing and heating merchant and supplier members. Initiatives include a bi-annual P&H Forum that has been instrumental in encouraging many more plumbing and heating specialists to play an active role in the BMF.

John Newcomb, managing director of the BMF, said: “Our collaboration with the CIPHE offers exciting possibilities for both organizations. The key driver is to raise the respective quality and standards in both sectors. In addition to reciprocal promotions, we will be investigating various training opportunities and are already planning a series of practical skills days next year, where merchants can gain hands on experience of typical plumbing installations.”

Kevin Wellman, chief executive officer of CIPHE, added: “There are a great many synergies between our two organizations. Working together, we can more effectively promote the need for professional plumbing and heating engineers to install quality products supplied by distributors who really understand the process. We are also looking to engage in campaigns to help domestic end-users, for example on low carbon solutions, and to support vulnerable members of the public.”