Independent builders merchant Norgrove Building Supplies has been named the ‘Best Building Materials Supplier’ in the West Midlands in the 2020 Midlands Enterprise Awards. Norgrove director, Jack Norgrove, said: “It’s great to be presented this award, as there’s a lot of builders merchants in the West Midlands, but since we …

Bristan Group has announced the appointment of Martin Mongan, as CEO. Mongan, who was formerly managing director of  Hansgrohe MD, will take up his post in February 2021. He succeeds former CEO, Darius Padler, who will leave the business at the end of 2020.  Padler says: “Martin is a well-known …

Timber buyers need to strengthen their purchasing strategies and talk to their suppliers, as a matter of urgency, says the Timber Trade Federation. The advice is in response to a lack of stock on the ground and tight supply conditions that are set to continue well into 2021. The TTF …

Tyman plc, the parent company of ERA, Zoo, Schlegel-Giesse and Access360, intends to pay back the £2.3m it received in 2020 under the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme. The payment will be made in full before year end. Darren Waters, Divisional CEO for Tyman UK and Ireland, says: “During the second …

Livery Company The Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants, has confirmed bursaries for three courses available via the Builders Merchants Federation. The courses are  Essential Sales Management, Diploma in Merchant Management and Foundation Degree in Merchant Management. Each bursary is worth up to £2,000 per person, and will cover a third …

Live a little, cheer a little, comfort thyself a little The good news is that the first batches of the coronavirus vaccine have arrived in the UK, been transported round the country and are being administered into the upper arms of those at the top of the list as I …

BMF CEO John Newcomb features in today’s The Guardian newspaper, warning that supply issues at ports are starting to hit BMF members. “There appears to be an increasing issue getting products through ports,” Newcomb is quoted as saying. “Rather than taking a maximum of one week to unload, it is …

Housebuilding helped UK construction see November sales increasing at the fastest pace for more than six years, according to the IHS Markit/CIPS purchasing managers’ index. The monthly survey ‘s index rose to 54.7 from 53.1 in October (a score of 50 means no change). Housebuilding was  59.2, and civil engineering was 52.3, …

Independent builders merchant buying group NMBS has achieved the Platinum standard of the Investors in People accreditation, in recognition of its culture of support and leadership. Platinum is the highest possible level of accreditation available through Investors in People. To achieve the standard, firms must be able to demonstrate high …

Paving and walling manufacturer Tobermore has opened its new state-of-the-art production facility. The £10million factory is part of a £30million investment to fulfil ambitious growth plans and means the company can ramp up production in response to a surge in market demand for their hard landscaping products. The opening of …