DIY sector director Peter Stone says new members are flooding in to join the trade organisation, as it introduces a host of new services aimed at driving member sales.
Mr Stone said: "We have seen a tremendous upturn in new member applications and are delighted to welcome great names in the DIY industry into the fold."

New brands to sign up to BHETA over the past few months include Worx Tools, Richard Burbidge, 3M, Shurtape, Sterling Locks, Rustins, method home, Masterlock and Mirka Abrasives.

BHETA has introduced a number of new services to enhance the service it provides to members, including a new website and the recent speed-dating style 'meet the buyer' event with Homebase.

Mr Stone added: "The trading environment is difficult for everyone and it's important that a trade organisation offers tangible selling opportunities as well as problem solving and compliance, important as those are. BHETA's new raft of services, including sales and marketing resources, asset sharing, market research, export and distributor introductions, and selling forums, like our recent met the buyer event with Homebase are all about helping members not just survive, but flourish."

BHETA has also secured its first potential partner for its new web-based manufacturer/distributor finding service, BHETA Connex. German flatware, cutlery and tabletop manufacturer Carl Mertens has asked for its profile to be listed on the 'member zone' of the new BHETA website, with a view to pairing up with a UK distributor.