Builders and plumbers merchant group Travis Perkins plc saw its revenue increase by 8.4% in 2014, with only its plumbing and heating division reporting a drop in sales.

Plumbers merchant group Wolseley plc has purchased a substantial shareholding in B2C online bathroom retailer BathEmpire.com, with an option to acquire the remaining equity stake at a future date.

The UK's largest independent builders merchant, MKM Building Supplies, reported a 31% increase in sales for the 12 months to September 30, 2014, compared with the same period in the previous year, significantly outperforming the industry.

Up to £70 million worth of funding will be made available through the third release of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF) from midday Monday 16th March, the government has announced.

Six staff members at South-East based timber merchant Champion Timber have completed the Level 3 Leadership & Management certificate from the ILM (Institute of Leadership & Management) as part of the company's on-going training and development programme for its 195 strong workforce.

A team from independent builders merchant Huws Gray team completed the Anglesey Half Marathon on Sunday (March 1), raising over £4,000 for Tŷ Gobaith/ Hope House Children's Hospice.

UK construction companies indicated saw output growth during February, driven by the fastest increase in new orders since October 2014, according to the latest Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers' Index.

PUNK, the new power tool accessories brand, has six key promotions to help drive sales this season.

Builders merchants Buildbase and Selco are the first to stock a new value range of metal frames designed to offer builders an alternative to timber on cost conscious domestic projects.

Kevin Pryke has joined East Anglian builders merchant Kent Blaxill as finance director.