News

It’s that time of year again. The 2024 edition of BMJ’s Trailblazers will be published with the April edition. Once again, it will feature the top UK builders merchants, those turning over more than £28m in their last financial year. Trailblazers has long been used to benchmark the industry, comparing …

Ian Harte visited the new Travis Perkins branch that opened in Leeds on January 29, just under a mile from Leeds’ Utd’s iconic Elland Road stadium. The former Leeds, Reading, Bournemouth and Ireland left-back paid a special visit to the newly opened branch, meeting customers and colleagues. Harte said: “I …

JDP (John Davidson Pipes) has announced the major expansion of its Colchester branch, which now spans a total area of 5,250m2, incorporating the previous site and an additional 2,250 m2. Following the investment, the branch now features extensive storage and warehouse facilities, ensuring a streamlined and efficient operation. This not …

Talon Manufacturing, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of plumbing fixings and finishings, will be exhibiting at the NMBS Show, April 10-11 2024 at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Talon will also be presenting its PipeSnug and FlueSnug, which are offering plenty of opportunities for merchants and installers. “We are …

Construction output is forecast to fall by 2.1% this year thanks to falls in the two largest sectors, namely private housing new build and repair, maintenance and improvement. According to the latest forecasts from the Construction Products Association output will then rise by 2.0% in 2025 in line with falling …

Building materials manufacturer Ibstock has bought Birmingham-based Coltman Precast, one of the largest independent suppliers of precast concrete products, which operates out of Sutton Coldfield, making hollowcore flooring panels and staircases. The deal will allow Ibstock to deliver a full portfolio of precast concrete products at a national level, and complements …

Selco Builders Warehouse has extended its kitchen product portfolio by launching a new collaboration with leading kitchen specialists Magnet. The inaugural Magnet showroom opens in Selco’s Walthamstow branch on January 29, and will be followed by Selco Enfield and Selco Tottenham by the end of February 2024. Howard Luft, chief …

Toolstation raised £743,000 for its designated charity partner, Macmillan Cancer Support, in 2023. Since launching the charity partnership in 2020, Toolstation has raised over £2,000,000 for Macmillan, to help fund vital physical, financial, and emotional support to the millions of people living with cancer across the UK. Toolstation’s managing director, …

Russell Roof Tiles’ charity Give4Good initiative returns for its third consecutive year, with the 150 strong team pledging to raise £50,000 for good causes. Russell Roof Tiles is supporting five good causes local to each of its sites in Burton on Trent and Lochmaben, plus two international organisations. They have …

The National Merchant Buying Society (NMBS) is calling on employers in the builder’s merchant sector to take advantage of government funding to re-skill staff and onboard new recruits through apprenticeships as it marks this year’s National Apprenticeship Week. The Government provides up to 95% funding for employers to hire someone …