Building materials suppliers Hanson UK are proposing to close a kiln at their Castle Cement works in Ketton, mothball the Accrington brick factory and close their Swillington plant. The company has entered a period of consultation with all those workers affected.

Ridgeons, the East Anglian independent timber and builders merchants, have appointed Angela Rushforth as group managing director, following the retirement of Terry Parker.

Builders and plumbers merchant group Wolseley saw pre-tax profits slide 77% thanks to the UK and US housing slowdowns.

LG Harris, the paint brushes and decorating tools people have added a new two-handed stripper to their range of decorator's tools.

The T-Class professional decorator's range from LG Harris has now been extended to include the Delta Range of painter's tools to sit along side existing Delta Brushes and Roller products.

Builders and plumbers merchants are well placed to increase sales and maximise profits if they take an active role in promoting underfloor heating systems, according to Polypipe, whose consumer advertising campaign is generating a continuous stream of enquires.

Builders Merchants Journal Golf Classic Final 2008: Not even a fire in the Channel Tunnel could keep the keenest of keen merchanting golfers away from their hard-won prize - a two-night trip to the five-star Hotel Westminster in Le Touquet and the chance to play a round on the La Mer course.

Khroma sanitaryware and furniture from bathroom manufacturers Roca adds coloured accessories to boost the retro-feel of the range.

Trade professionals have the opportunity to experience IRWIN and LENOX's incredible line of new products at the UK's biggest building industry trade show.

Joinery merchants Howdens Joinery have settled a long-running dispute with the owners of their former sister company, MFI.