The two main trade bodies in the M&E sector are consulting their members about a possible merger.

Over the next two weeks the Heating and Ventilating Contractors Association and the Electrical Contractors Association will ask their members about the proposal, which could lead to a merger by 2010.

The HVCA said benefits include more robust representation in the M&E sector, greater political influence, a pooling of resources and wider social networking.

The associations are considering joining forces because the two sectors are converging. An HVCA spokesperson said: “More and more it looks anachronistic to have two associations.”

The HVCA said that if both organisations were in favour, a joint board would be set up in Spring next year. A spokeswoman for the ECA said convergence was expected in 2010 at the earliest.