News

A new report by MRA Building Market Reports estimates the value of the UK market for decking materials at £174m in 2025, at Manufacturers’ Selling Prices (MSP). This is a substantial increase compared to its pre-pandemic level. Following an inevitable spike in demand in the early stages of the pandemic, …

Figures published by the BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) in the Plumbing and Heating Merchants Index (PHMI) have highlighted the impact of price and volume on overall sales value in the first quarter of 2026. Total value sales in Q1 2026 were marginally lower than in Q1 2025 at -0.1% as …

Sales figures released in the latest BMF Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) have reported falling sales in the first quarter of 2026, leading to a downward revision of growth forecasts for the coming year. Year-on-year total value sales in Q1 2026 declined by -3.2% compared with Q1 2025, with no difference …

STARK Building Materials UK (STARK UK) has launched a digital delivery tracking service, providing real-time updates on orders. Launched as part of STARK UK’s ‘trusted deliveries’ strategy, the new service informs customers of a two-hour delivery window before sending a second update, narrowing it to a one-hour slot, with a …

Manufacturers supplying the construction sector have been hit by a sharp decline in sales, according to new research published by inventory management specialist Unleashed. The latest quarterly Manufacturing Health Index report, based on data from more than 600 UK firms, highlighted that small and mid-sized firms in the category saw …

Ideal Heating was the overall winner of at the PHG Plumbing Heating Group Annual Supplier Awards held at Carden Park Hotel in Chester on May 21 2026. The event brought together 268 guests from the plumbing, heating and bathroom sector, including 199 supplier representatives and 63 PHG representatives. PHG now …

Hiatt Hardware Group has announced the strategic acquisition of Lakes Bathrooms and Lakes Showering Spaces. This acquisition will create 200 jobs across the group, and reinforces the group’s long-term vision of building a stronger, more diversified construction and home improvement supplies business with improved supply chain control within the Hiatt …

Building products manufacturer Ibstock Plc has released a trading update for the period from January 1 to April 30, ahead of its Annual General Meeting (AGM). The group reports that overall group revenues were down approximately 10% for the first 4 months of the year on a like-for-like basis, with …

Trade kitchen supplier Howdens has opened the doors to new depots in Wexford and Athlone in the Republic of Ireland. These latest openings bring its depot network to 18 in the region, with the company intending to open three more depots in ROI by the end of the year. Both …

The Builders Merchants Federation raised £12,250 for its charity partners, The Educational Frontier Trust (TEFT) and the Maddie Rose Foundation, after a special fundraising event held at JCB Golf and Country Club. Teams of four from BMF member companies battled it out on the fairway with complimentary refreshments at the …