Oliver Stanley

Assistant Editor, Builders Merchants Journal - BMJ

Vulnerable butterfly species thrives at Forterra’s Kirton conservation site

Stephan Morris/shutterstock_2390570781 – The Dingy Skipper

On World Environment Day 2025, heavy building materials manufacturer Forterra celebrated the presence of a vulnerable butterfly species, the Dingy Skipper, at the company’s Kirton Brickworks site in Nottinghamshire. Forterra has worked with ecologists since 2007 to monitor and manage biodiversity across several of its sites across the country. At …

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Wetrooms International Group becomes employee-owned

Wetrooms International Group, the Scottish-based specialist supplier of PVC bathroom ceiling and wall panels, has completed a deal to become employee-owned. Brothers Brian and Bill Crombie, who founded the business in 2005, have retained a 26% share and will continue to play key roles in the business as it continues …

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Wolseley appoints new director of renewables

Dan Marsden Appointed as Director of Renewables

Renewables Centre,  the latest brand launched by Wolseley Group, has appointed of Dan Marsden as director of renewables, a newly created role that underscores Wolseley’s ongoing commitment to support the transition to low-carbon technologies. This move will accelerate the development of the Renewables Centre brand across the UK, helping more …

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Travis Perkins plc announces new specialist merchants operating structure

electric forklift truck header 3

Builders merchant Travis Perkins plc, has announced a new operating structure for the group’s specialist merchant businesses.  Catherine Gibson takes on the newly created role of specialist merchants managing director, reporting to the group CEO as part of the group’s leadership team. Gibson will oversee new and dedicated leadership teams …

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James Burrell celebrates 151 years of combined service

L R Chris Abbott Michael Fahey Caroline Mark Richardson

James Burrell  is set to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2027, but this year, the builders merchant has highlighted four long-serving team members due to their combined years of service exceeding the age of the company. Together, Mark Richardson, Caroline, Michael Fahey, and Chris Abbott have dedicated a total of …

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Lawsons celebrates Fair Tax week as first gold standard builders merchant

Lawsons trucks

UK-based Lawsons Group are marking their first Fair Tax week (8th to 15th June 2025) having been the first ever building materials merchant to be awarded the Fair Tax Mark, the gold standard of responsible tax conduct, earlier this year. Fair Tax Week is an opportunity for businesses to step …

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Walsall Wheelbarrows Welcomes Wolverhampton MP

mp brackenridge @ ww 41

Sureena Brackenridge, MP for Wolverhampton North East visited Walsall Wheelbarrows last Friday (May 30)  to see how the family-owned company, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, has evolved to embrace automation in the West Midlands. Brackenridge was welcomed by Simon Thacker (sales director), Tom Fisher (sales manager) and Tony Rrapaj …

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City Plumbing launches ElecStore to power up multi-skilled tradespeople

City Plumbing ElecStore

Plumbing and heating merchant City Plumbing has launched ElecStore, a dedicated electrical brand available at its branches nationwide. As the boundaries between plumbing, heating, and electrical work continue to blur, the launch of ElecStore marks a significant step forward in City Plumbing’s support of multi-skilled trades. Recent research by the …

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Talon launches new in-store display boards to boost merchant sales

talon logo

  Talon has unveiled a new range of striking display boards, designed to help merchants maximise sales of its fittings and accessories. Combining eye-catching design with product education, the boards provide a new sales tool for merchants across the UK. The latest displays focus on Talon’s range including Talon’s new …

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Clearwater and Sterling brands come together in new brochure

Clearwater 2025 Cover 2

Clearwater Products has released its new Sinks & Taps catalogue, bringing the Clearwater and Sterling collections together for the first time. Spanning 328 pages, this brochure is designed to provide an overview of the company’s comprehensive offering. The brochure is split into two sections with Clearwater’s products featuring across the …

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