Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Bunnings UK and Ireland managing director PJ Davis has chosen the next BHETA networking forum to make the first public presentation of the UK Bunnings business since its acquisition of Homebase earlier this year.
The BHETA (British Home Enhancement Trade Association) forum wil take place on November 3 and will be open to both member and non-member companies.
In his presentation, Mr Davis will reflect on the initiatives, changes and progress of the business since the acquisition and shed light on the strategy and future roll out of Bunnings stores, setting out what the business stands for in the UK and the opportunities for suppliers.
www.HousewaresLive.net reported on March 1 that Australian retailer Wesfarmers had confirmed that its acquisition of the Homebase business from Home Retail Group.
Wesfarmers managing director Richard Goyder welcomed the completion of the acquisition, which added 15,000 new employees in the UK and Ireland to the Wesfarmers Group.
Richard Goyder said at the time: “We welcome our new employees and are excited about the opportunity to bring the best of Bunnings to the UK and Ireland.”
Wesfarmers announced on January 18 that it had entered into an agreement to acquire Homebase from Home Retail Group for £340 million (A$658 million).
The transaction received approval from Home Retail Group’s banking syndicate in early February and from a general meeting of its shareholders on February 25.
From its origins in 1914 as a Western Australian farmers’ cooperative, Wesfarmers has grown into one of Australia’s largest listed companies.
Headquartered in Western Australia, its diverse business operations covers supermarkets and department stores; home improvement and office supplies; coal production and export; chemicals, energy and fertilisers; and industrial and safety products. Wesfarmers is one of Australia’s largest employers. –
PJ Davis will be one of four speakers in what BHETA promises to be an informative, insightful and thought provoking business session.
CBI (Confederation of British Industry) deputy director general Josh Hardie will be exploring what the DIY and garden market might look like in post-Brexit Britain.
His presentation will also include the wider perspective on the issues that face UK PLC, based on an overview of the CBI’s 90,000 members.
Josh Hardie brings with him recent retail experience as the former group director for corporate responsibility with Tesco Stores.
Another highlight of the day will be Victoria Neuhofer from FN Neuhofer HOLZ of Austria, reprising her closing speech from this year’s Global DIY Summit in Stockholm.
She will present a compelling case for the need to grasp the digital and online nettle to talk to the DIY and garden customers of tomorrow, questioning how many supplier companies are fully ready to do so.
Continuing the technology theme, Insight Retail Group managing director Steve Collinge will present on the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ and how breakthroughs in fields such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things, supply chain innovation and 3D printing are likely to transform the future of our industry.
The forum will close with a moderated Q&A panel session.
As this BHETA Forum will be particularly popular, Federation House will not be big enough to cope with the demand. The event will therefore take place at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. The member price to attend this event will be £45 + vat per person and the non-member rate will be £95 +vat per person to cover administrative and venue costs. The cost includes free car parking and a networking buffet lunch. The event will start at 10am with registration from 9.30am.
Applications to attend the forum should be made to info@bheta.co.uk or the member services team on 0121 237 1130.
