Independent builders merchant Otford Builders Merchants will cease trading later this year following a prolonged period of challenging market conditions. The closure will result in the loss of 34 jobs. The company, a member of NBG, has confirmed there will be an orderly wind-down of operations over the coming months, …

Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam Be it ever so ‘umble, there’s no place like home One of the most cynical political moves of my lifetime was the 1986 Council elections in London. Westminster City Council was found to have pushed through sales of council housing in certain …

Senior leaders from Travis Perkins Hire swapped laptops for the trade counter and yard to give branch colleagues a day off. Travis Perkins Hire managing director Ian Sharman-Jones led the members of the senior leadership team at the Bristol St Philips branch to carry out the operational work for a …

Claire Rotherham, founder, Out-Do Marketing As the building materials sector continues to navigate rising costs, changing customer expectations and increasing competition, one thing has become clear: businesses that continue to invest strategically are the ones outperforming the market. It’s a philosophy that sits at the heart of Out-Do Marketing, the …

It is the long history of humankind…that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed Once upon a time, there were three independent builders merchant companies with different histories, different ownership models, and different geographical heartlands. They also had some similarities: all have built their reputations on …

September 18th is Maddie’s Day, when everyone across the industry is encouraged to wear something yellow, and share images of their best yellow selves across the social media to raise awareness of the Maddie Rose Foundation. The Foundation promotes and supports young people across the building material supplies sector, helping …

Three independent builders merchant groups have come together to collaborate on buying and procurement for a number of product sectors. Bradfords Building Supplies, Lords and JT Atkinson had all in the past been part of traditional buying groups – the first two of h&b and the latter of Fortis. They …

Heating and cooling brand Worcester Bosch is sponsoring Worcester City Women FC for the 2026/27 football season, with the first game this Sunday (August 23). As part of the agreement, the Worcester Bosch logo will appear on the front of the team’s Home and Away playing kits.  As well as …

The BMF Members’ Conference in September will feature a panel discussion dedicated to Women Leading in Building Materials.  The panel of four female leaders in the sector will explore how businesses can create more inclusive workplaces, and how male colleagues can play an important role as allies in supporting and developing …

Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, By fearing to attempt. Every silver lining has its cloud it seems. There is just no getting away from the fact that it is pretty grim out there. Whether that’s to do with the actual weather …