News

UK timber prices have fallen about 5% during the last quarter of 2025, the first decline in two years, thanks to improved supply from sawmills and Scandinavian imports. Homebuilders are cautiously optimistic that the easing in timber costs could reduce overall build expenses, though energy and labour costs remain high. …

Tool and equipment supplier Draper Tools has announced it has acquired two new brands, Van Vault and Defender Lighting. Both brands were formerly part of Toolstream Ltd which entered administration on December 11 2025. Van Vault is a supplier of vehicle and on-site security storage solutions, while Defender operates within …

Marley has partnered with TOUGH TO TALK, a charity dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health struggles in men. The partnership is the latest extension of Marley’s annual Winter Wellness campaign, which will see the business extend the support it offers to construction workers around safe working practices, and …

Premier Forest Products has acquired engineered timber specialist National Timber Systems, previously part of National Timber Group England, which went into administration in late November. The acquisition safeguards 160 jobs at NTS, with plans to grow this number to 250. National Timber Systems supplies national and regional housebuilders, as well …

Copper manufacturer and supplier Lawton Tubes is investing £25 million in improvements across the business deep into 2026 to help futureproof the firm in the face of an ever-changing industry. The company is undertaking a major transformation programme in a bid to boost employment across all areas of the business, …

Northampton-based building materials manufacturer Forterra matched the £22,462 raised by its colleagues over the course of 2025, to contribute a grand total of £40,677 towards Cancer Research UK. The donation was raised through several fundraising activities, including the Beaune Challenge, a 534-mile cycling challenge undertaken by group planning manager Ian …

Ducklington FC, who play in the Witney & District League Division One, have been sponsored by Travis Perkins for the 2025-26 campaign. George Townsend, player manager of Ducklington, said: “We were searching for a new kit for this season, which is a big expense for a local football team. Several …

The UK’s leading builders’ merchant once again joined forces with Northampton Saints’ rugby stars for The Big Christmas Toy and Hamper Collection, part of the long-standing partnership between the Saints and Travis Perkins. The collaboration between Travis Perkins and Northampton Saints saw hundreds of gifts donated to children and elderly …

Materials handling solutions manufacturer Combilift has raised and donated €100,000 to support children in crisis worldwide through a worldwide competition to mark the production of its 100,000th forklift. Offering the exclusive 100,000th multidirectional Combi-CBE as its Prize, proceeds raised from the competition were donated to UNICEF Ireland’s Children’s Emergency Fund. …

Jewson builders’ merchant has announced a 12-month sponsorship deal with darts player James Wade, ahead of the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Darts Championship.  Wade has spent more than two decades playing, claiming multiple titles including the Premier League in 2009, The Masters in 2014 and the World Series in 2018. …