The votes have been counted and verified for the BMJ Industry Awards 2020. The only awards programme in the merchant calendar that is voted for by the industry, the event is now in its third year. Sponsored by heavyweight industry names including: Brett Martin Building Products, Hanson Cement, Knauf Insulation, …

The BMF has circulated to members a letter from The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, personally paying tribute to them for working tirelessly during these challenging times and thanking them for their hugely valued and critical contribution to the resilience …

The building of the new Nightingale Hospital Manchester is being helped by the donation of 100 tonnes of screed by Marshalls Premier Mortars & Screeds. The hospital will have 1000 beds and is being built at the Manchester Central Conference Centre (formerly the GMEX Centre). The floor of the hospital …

Having been classed as ‘essential’ by the government, builders’ merchants are leading the fight to carry on trading and protect their staff and customers during the current coronavirus pandemic. As the Coronavirus crisis escalates, many builders’ merchants are rightly worried about the future and how it will affect their business …

Oh to be (out and about) in England, Now that April’s there Things I have learned in the last week and a bit. Joe Wicks is A GOD. Not only has he made it his mission to keep the nation’s school-children physically active for half-an-hour-a-day (and their far less fit …

Bart Murphy, operations director of London builders merchant MP Moran is collecting PPE for NHS staff at a north London hospital and he needs donations from merchants and suppliers to help. “My wife Marisa and I, are on an NHS mission,” he says. “We want to raise vital funds to …

As well as continuing to service customers with deliveries, independent builders merchant Bradford Building Supplies has been working to support those on the front-line of the Covid-19 pandemic with priority works. This includes supplying NHS trusts across its area with much needed materials to allow them to create the temporary …

I myself am best When least in company. Well this is all very strange. Every time I start to write something about the situation we’re in and the effect that the coronavirus is having on the country, something changes. The speed at which things have changed is what’s so alarming. …

A loaded cement wagon from the Hanson cement works in Clitheroe, Lancashire escaped from a siding and continued to run away down the line towards Horrocksford Junction, where it connects to the main railway line. The wagon broke through the gates at the exit from the cement works, went over …

  The Prime Minister’s announcement last night, that the UK would severely restrict the reason for people to be outside their homes, was the catalyst for a number of merchant companies deciding to close their doors temporarily. Last week independent merchant Covers announced that it would only be dealing with …