A number of fundamental changes will be required to ensure that building sites can remain open and safe for their workers in the Covid-19 era, says Brendan Sharkey, head of construction and real estate at accountancy firm MHA MacIntyre Hudson. Following the prime minister’s active encouragement for construction workers to …

Philip Johns has been appointed SIG UK managing director by specialist building materials group SIG. Responsible for overseeing the UK operation which includes SIG Distribution and SIG Exteriors, Johns previously worked at SIG for over 28 years in a number of senior leadership roles including managing director for SIG UK …

*not abroad. At home. Still. For I have known them all already, known them all: Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons; How many times have we said to ourselves that, were we given enough free time, we would fill it wisely, …

The builders metchant industry confetence for 2020, the NMBS All Industry Conference, has been postponed due to the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Originally due to take place in Sorrento from 18th – 21st June,  the event will be rescheduled for 16th-19th June 2022. NMBS managing director Chris Hayward …

With house builders Taylor Wimpy, Persimmon and Vistry beginning to restart their building sites, Ibstock Brick has said it will join fellow brick maker Michelmersh in resuming production. Ibstock plans to bring back factory staff from Monday 27th April for a phased reopening of some factories. Ibstock says it intends …

The Covid-19 pandemic and the UK lockdown came on top of a February that was already lacklustre for builders merchants. That’s according to figures released in the BMF’s Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI). February trading is unlikely to have been much affected by the emerging Coronavirus pandemic, pre-dating social distancing, …

Yorkshire based drainage manufacturer Naylor Industries has switched some of its capacity at its Wombwell plant, near Barnsley, to produce ventilation duct for emergency hospitals. The temporary facilities, including the Nightingale Hospital in London’s Excel Exhibition Centre, are being commissioned in exhibition halls and sports facilities across the country. Naylor’s …

Builders merchants trade association the Builders Merchants Federation has published  an interactive list on its website of all its merchant members, showing those who are open, partially open or closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The guide uses a traffic light system to indicate which merchants are operating. Green means …

Cement manufacturer Cemex  took part in last Thursday’s celebrations of the frontline NHS workers during the coronovirus by lighting up its plant in Rugby, Warwickshire. Those who could see the plant from their doorsteps were encouraged in a tweet earlier in the day to look out for something special: At …

Ideal Standard International, the manufacturer of bathroom and washroom solutions, has appointed David Barber as UK and Ireland managing director. Barber joined the company in 2006, most recently serving as UK finance director. He takes over from Stephen Ewer who is leaving the business after more than two years. Jan …