Bradford and Sons Limited have announced the acquisition of Totem Timber (St Austell) Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries as of May 1st.

Software developers Planit International have joined forces with the Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms National Training Group (NTG) and South Nottingham College in a new initiative to attract young design talent into the KBB sector.

In response to market demand, Brett Martin Building Products have launched a 315mm shallow-access chamber assembly to extend their 110mm drainage fittings range.

What will be the key growth opportunities for merchants and their suppliers over the next few years - and what do they need to do to ensure they exploit these opportunities? This will be the broad theme of an important new feature at THE Conference 2008 in Tenerife on June 26-29.

As the economic landscape remains uncertain and with reported downturns driven by the credit crunch in every new bulletin, it may not be all bad news, say Ironmongery Direct, who reported year-on-year growth of 40% in 2007 compared with 2006.

Trade home improvement stockist GAP are planning "significant expansion" over the next five years, and are continuing with their depot transformation program.

Ideal Bathrooms have announced the acquisition of Glasgow-based bathroom products distributor Inline Distribution.

Fastener Fair Coventry will be the biggest one ever, say the show organisers, with more exhibitors than in any previous year.

The aggregates division of natural stone producer, Cumbria-based Burlington, provided a total of 234,053 tonnes of crushed infill stone and over 8,400 tonnes of weathered walling stone for a new bypass in the Lake District National Park.

Building Adhesives recently staged their very own "Health & Safety Week". Running over five working days, the event was designed to ensure everyone, at all levels, was aware of health & safety issues in the workplace.