Regent Half Tiles  were among a number of  products from roofing manufacturer Redland used on the refurbishment of a block of 30 apartments in Caterham, Surrey. The very low pitch of the roof, just 16o, and the need to match the existing tiles visually was behind the choice of the …

The UK construction market was higher in July 2018 than in June, showing the fastest increase in residential work for just over two-and-a-half years. That’s according to the latest seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®). New business was up, which increased employment levels and confidence, and, …

Construction activity significantly picked up in the second quarter of 2018 as the industry began its catch-up of work lost due to delays related to the Carillion collapse and severe weather conditions in the early part of the year. That’s according to the Construction Products Association’s latest Construction Trade Survey for …

Radiator manufacturer Stelrad has added a number of new radiator products and extended existing ranges. Additions to the Vita Deco and Plan range and the Softline Deco, Plan and Column ranges include the Vita Deco Plan Concept and the Softline Deco Plan Concept which will from now on be available …

Pump people Wilo UK have extended their sponsorship of Burton Albion FC. Having been tunnel sponsors the Pirelli Stadium in Burton-upon-Trent last year, the company’s logo will now also appear on the back of the team – known as ‘the Brewers’ – home and away shirts. Fleur Robinson, Burton Albion …

South West independent builders merchant Bradfords Building Supplies has bought Archmartin Ltd, which trades as Solo Building Supplies. Operating from one site in Penzance, South West Cornwall, the acquisition of Solo Building Supplies improves Bradfords’ branch coverage in the area and provides a great opportunity to serve other nearby towns. …

Independent builders merchant Huws Gray has appointed Stephen Thompstone as non-executive director. Thompstone has over 35 years industry experience and is currently the CEO of Crendon Timber Engineering and MD of Wyckham Blackwell. Previously he was managing director of Buildbase, guiding the company through a successful acquisition-led growth strategy that …

Elliotts, the Hampshire-based builders merchant, has teamed up with Tap It Brewing Co to launch an exclusive pale ale to celebrate their beer-brewing heritage. Founder Thomas Elliott owned a brewery and four pubs in Southampton in the 1870s, so Elliotts has gone back to their roots to create a pale ale …

I always tried to turn every disaster into an opportunity. I have had very little occasion in the last 25 years (how has it been that long?)  to write anything like the following sentence, “Travis Perkins posts pre-tax loss of £123m.” But last week I did, courtesy of the merchanting …

The announcement by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to encourage London’s SMEs to replace their old, inefficient boilers with modern, energy-efficient models has been welcomed by the Builders Merchants’ Federation. The  £10 million Cleaner Heat Cashback scheme is designed to help London’s smaller companies save money on their energy …