The final quarter of 2011 started more positively for the UK construction industry according to the latest Markit/CIPS Construction Purchasing Managers' Index® (PMI®).

To further support its rainwater product offer and technical support services, rainwater specialists Alumasc have announced the appointment of Garry Blowman to the role of dedicated cast iron specialist.

Plumbers merchant Wolseley has exited another non-core sector with the sale of its insulation subsidiary Encon.

Independent builders merchant buying group Cemco has two new high-profile members.

Independent builders merchants and suppliers dug deep on Saturday night (October 22) to raise over £20,000 for the chosen charities - CRASH and the Rainy Day Trust - of the National Merchant Buying Society at its annual Dinner Dance.

North East independent builders' merchant Thompsons will see its efforts unveiled on Remembrance Day with the unveiling of a memorial wall to honour Wearside's war dead.

Rolawn's Medallion turf has been laid in a new compound at Five Sisters Zoo, West Calder in readiness for the arrive of three rescue bears who are currently homeless and languishing in a holding centre in Belgium.

A man has appeared in court accused of stealing hire equipment worth more than £20,000 from companies including builders merchant Travis Perkins.

Cement and aggregates supplier CEMEX UK has won the Natural England Biodiversity Award for its restoration work at Rugeley quarry in Staffordshire.

Employees at the St Helens plant of insulation manufacturer Knauf Insulation held a series of fundraising events for Macmillan Cancer Support last week.