News

Plumbers merchant Unique Plumbing Supplies will be joining plumbers merchant buying group PHG from 1 January 2027. Based in the Southampton area, Unique is led by managing director Nick Khaira, and has six branches and a dedicated bathroom showroom across Hampshire. Khaira said: “We are delighted to be joining PHG …

Norman Piette Group (NP Group), the builders merchant in the Channel Islands, has appointed Glenn Paddison as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, succeeding John Bampkin after seven years in the role. The appointment marks a new chapter for the established Channel Islands business, which operates builders’ merchant and hire …

Premier Forest Products CEO and Co-Founder Terry Edgell has brought together local businesses to explore how employers can help young people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness build brighter futures through sustainable employment. Edgell welcomed 55 businesses to the Homewards’ New Employment Opportunities Network (NEON) Employer Breakfast Briefing in partnership …

Lords Group Trading plc, has confirmed amendments to its existing banking facilities as part of a trading update for the four months ended October 31 2026. During the period, the group’s Merchanting and Digital divisions have continued to build upon strategic progress made in the first half of the year, …

Grant Westfield production engineer Calum Brown has raised £2,447 for Action for M.E. after completing the Edinburgh Marathon in under three hours. The 26.2-mile challenge saw brown achieve a personal goal, finishing in 2 hours, 59 minutes and 52 seconds, just eight seconds under his target. Calum ran in support …

Industry charity the Rainy Day Trust, has launched Christmas Kindness, a new campaign encouraging businesses and teams from across the industry to fundraise for families across the sector this Christmas. The campaign is built around 3 key themes, each with its own easy-to-run fundraiser: • Be fed: A Christmas party, …

There was a sharp and accelerated reduction in construction industry business activity during October, according to the seasonally adjusted S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI®). At 43.6, down from 46.1 in September, the headline index registered below the neutral 50.0 value for the twenty-second month running. In addition, …

Freefoam Building Products has acquired Marley Alutec from the Aliaxis Group, expanding its portfolio into specialist aluminium rainwater systems. Following the acquisition, Marley Alutec will trade as Alutec Rainwater Systems. Alutec customers will experience complete continuity of service: the existing Alutec team will remain in place and continue to provide …

James Hardie has reached an agreement with Swisspearl for the transfer of its remaining European inventory of Hardie® Plank and Hardie® VL Plank cladding products. Swisspearl will manage the UK-based inventory, distribution, and supply of these products, supporting access, subject to product availability, for customers with existing James Hardie specifications …

Heating manufacturer Baxi’s 2026 Installer Skills and Attitudes Survey, published in partnership with JTL, found installers are increasingly prepared for heat pump installations, but lack opportunities. According to the survey, six in ten installers are developing heat-pump competencies or planning to, with the share actively developing skills having doubled to …