Builders and plumbers merchant OBAS UK is planning to expand the business after securing a six-figure loan.

Fetim Group UK has appointed Mark Chilton as national accounts manager with the aim to strengthen and increase business within the company's Home Retail Group (HRG), which consists of Homebase and Argos.

Home improvement applications increased by 12% on average across the UK in 2014, according to the recently released Barbour ABI home-improver analysis.

Wirquin has appointed Nick Richards as head of marketing at its Doncaster sanitary equipment manufacturing site.

Decorating supplier Hamilton has relaunched its website with a greater emphasis on its resource centre, the Knowledge Room.

Power tools manufacturer Fein has launched a hand-held belt grinder for flexible on-site working that is three times faster than comparable angle grinders and better suited to heavy-duty metalworking applications.

Plumbers merchant Plumb and Parts Center has opened a brand new branch on Anglesey and plans to open 10 new locations within the next year.

Anti-scald bathroom product manufacturer, Inta, has raised £2,541 for charity with the help of Premier League footballer Mario Balotelli.

Builders merchant Gibbs & Dandy has announced it will donate an extra £10,500 to charities, voluntary groups and community projects in 2015.

The St Ives branch of builders merchant Gibbs & Dandy has opened a specialist decorating centre after partnering with ICI Paints Akzo Nobel.