Builders merchants Jewson have just launched their own brand range of landscaping products to take advantage of any Spring upturn in landscaping sales.

Building materials manufacturers Hanson are to open a new £50 million brick factory at Measham in Leicestershire.

The UK construction industry will see its worst fall in output ever this year - 12%, according to the Construction Products Association's latest set of forecasts. Any significant positive growth is not expected until 2012.

Heating and plumbing equipment was stolen in a night-time raid on the Graham plumbers merchant branch in Abingdon, Oxfordshire on Friday.

Alan Ball, md plumbing and heating merchant PTS has persuaded two of his key suppliers to join him in a 26 mile run round the streets of London later this month.

North east independent builders merchants JT Dove have redeveloped their Stockton branch, spending £1.5m on a new site.

Carl Kammerling have re-launched their ESD (ElectroStatic Dissipative) and Precision tools for 2009, with a new look and new packaging, providing greater impact on shelf.

The new Work Horse platform from S. J. Dixon & Son Ltd is designed to meet the needs of the jobbing builder and professional decorator with its sturdy but lightweight 98 x32cm aluminium work platform with an EN131 / 150kg rating.

The National Buying Group (NBG LLP) of independent builders merchants is expected to implement changes to its buying and management disciplines shortly, after a brainstorming session among a number of key members.

A General Meeting of Wolseley plc shareholders held yesterday agreed the proposal for a rights issue and capital reorganisation.