News

The latest figures from the Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) report show total value sales for October 2025 through specialist plumbing and heating merchants were up +0.8% compared to October 2024. Volume sales however, decreased -2.1% while prices increased +2.9% year-on-year. With one extra trading day in October, month-on-month …

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report has been published, showing builders’ merchants’ total value sales in October 2025 were up +0.2% compared to the same month a year before.  Year-on-year volumes were also up +0.8%, but prices were down -0.6%, with no difference in trading days. Mike Rigby, …

Liverpool timber merchant, Terry’s Timber, has welcomed a new 7.5-tonne Isuzu N75.190(E) into its commercial vehicle fleet, supplied by local dealer Ditchburn Truck Services. Continuing a long-standing relationship with the manufacturer, the company’s latest rigid was selected from the Isuzu Truck UK Driveaway range, replacing an identical truck in a …

Mick Ballard, a yard customer assistant at Travis Perkins Leicester Central branch, has celebrated 50 years with the business. The 77-year-old started with Travis & Arnold in 1975 before it merged with Sandell Perkins in 1988 to become Travis Perkins. During his time with the company, he has held a variety of …

The BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) Winter Forecast Report confirms a stagnant market for building materials sales in the second half of 2025, and does not expect significant growth in the first quarter of 2026.   After a promising start to the year, Q3 2025 proved challenging for building materials sales, prompting …

The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has welcomed the government’s plan to raise the Business Property Relief threshold for Inheritance Tax from £1.0m to £2.5m when it is introduced as part of the Finance Bill in April 2026. The increased allowance will enable spouses or civil partners to transfer up to …

  Landscaping, building, and roofing provider Marshalls will be the headline sponsor of the BMF All Industry Conference in 2027. Marshalls is recognised for its product development, aimed at contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future. BMF CEO John Newcomb, said: “We are delighted to confirm Marshalls as the …

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 …