The Launceston branch of RGB Building Supplies recently celebrated 30 years since it opened its doors. As well as giving away goody bags to thank visitors for their custom, the branch team held a raffle in aid of RGB’s chosen charity, Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, where one lucky person won a signed Exeter Chiefs shirt. The raffle raised £107 for the …
Read More »Travis Perkins’ recovery prompts Covid-19 payback
Strength in DIY sales during October and November has helped Travis Perkins to return £50m of UK government help. The Group says its Wickes and Toolstation brands benefited from the ‘surge in DIY trade’ during the first part of the Covid-19 pandemic and that it would return business rates …
Read More »BMF responds to Brexit Trade Deal
The Builders Merchants Federation welcomed the announcement, just before Christmas, that the UK and the EU have agreed a free trade agreement achieving widespread market access with no tariffs or quotas because it will provide the construction sector with much needed reassurance in respect of the cost and availability of building …
Read More »Sydenhams buys Staverton Building Supplies
Builders merchant group Sydenhams has acquired Staverton Building Supplies based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Staverton’s, a single branch merchant, will begin trading as Sydenhams from January 4. Sydenhams managing director Lee Wright said the company is delighted to welcome Staverton Building Supplies to the Sydenhams group. “Stavertons are a fantastic well-run …
Read More »Ferguson sells Wolseley UK
Global plumbers merchant chain Ferguson plc has sold its Wolseley UK heating and plumbing distribution business, to private investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice today (January 4 2021) for approximately £308 million. In the year ended July 31, 2020 Wolseley UK’s revenue was £1,403 million, with operating profits at £2.2million. …
Read More »2020 vision
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; There is no view so clear, so perfect, so sharp as that of hindsight, of looking back on something and pronouncing what should have happened, instead of what did …
Read More »Bradfords supports women’s rugby with Exeter Chiefs sponsorship
South West builders merchant Bradfords Building Supplies is expanding its partnership with the Exeter Chiefs for 2020/2021 season, making it now one of the club’s main sponsors. As part of the new agreement, Bradfords will provide player sponsorship from Chiefs Fly Half and England international Henry Slade, and Women’s Captain …
Read More »Deals and deadlines
It was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, When is a deadline not a deadline? When it’s a Brexit negotiation deadline it seems. Last Sunday was the deadline. …
Read More »Ferguson ponders pulling the plug on Wolseley float amid revenue fall
Specialist plumbing and drainage merchant Wolseley UK saw turnover fall from £1.6bn to £1.4bn for the year to July 31 2020,. At the same time, parent company Ferguson plc says demerger plans “remain uncertain in the current economic environment” and that the board is looking at other ways of separating …
Read More »Norgrove wins best building supplies West Midlands accolade
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 …
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