Protective Wear and PPE specialist group Hultafors Group, owner of the Snickers Workwear brand has acquired the Fristads, Kansas and Leijona Workwear businesses. Peter Dumigan, managing director of the Hultafors Group UK, says, ‘All three are well-known brands in professional workwear with well-established market positions in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and will …

John Newcomb, CEO of the Builders Merchants Federation said that the Chancellor of the Exchequer “largely struck the right notes” when announcing his second Budget, yesterday (March 3). “We were particularly pleased that the Chancellor sought to support smaller businesses by recognising the need for continued furlough support and business …

Apprenticeships: An additional £126 million in England for work placements and training for 16-24 year olds in the 2021/22 academic year. Employers who provide trainees with work experience will continue to be funded at a rate of £1,000 per trainee.  Those who hire a new apprentice between 1 April 2021 …

Hymor Timber Limited has been acquired by Arnold Laver & Co Ltd, part of the National Timber Group, with effect from March 1 2021. Established in 1990, Hymor is an independent timber merchant supplying ethically sourced hardwood and softwood to a broad range of trade and commercial customers, including joiners …

Landscaping supplier Digby Stone has announced that Vicky Piercy has been appointed national sales manager to head up its external sales function. Piercy brings with her a wealth of experience in the landscaping sector and was previously at Pavestone.

Decking company Millboard has introduced the DuoFix Side-Fixing Guide, to provide installers with a quick and easy means of laying decks with a completely clean finish. The DuoFix enables boards to be fixed from the side, resulting in a clean finish with the face of the board completely clear of …

Never inquire into another man’s secret; but conceal that which is intrusted to you, Though pressed both by wine and anger to reveal it. My 13-year-old son, with whom I am currently sharing an office thanks to COVID-19, leaned a few new choice words expressing surprise on Monday morning. Well, …

Plumbing and heating merchants saw sales continue to bounce back at the end of  2020 from the low point earlier in the year caused by the first UK lockdown. That’s according to a new statistical Index compiled by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) in partnership with MRA Research and GfK. …

Builder’s merchant chain MKM Building Supplies is opening its 80th branch, in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. The 1.2acre site, at Lupton Road, Wallingford will be a one-stop shop for both local building trade and retail customers. Stock will include plumbing and heating, electrical, drainage, roofing, timber, doors, ironmongery and joinery. The branch …

Showering specialist Lakes Showering Spaces has launched an e-Learning module exclusively for merchants called ‘The Showering Experience’ –  dedicated to boosting product knowledge and helping merchant teams make the most of selling opportunities in their business. Available through the Cortexa Merchant Network, including the BMF Campus, the 20 minute online …