News

Building materials manufacturer Forterra is to close its general precast facility at Swadlincote, Derbyshire, but will spend £27m on upgrading its Wilnecote brick factory allow for the production of more high-end brick products. Having conducted a review of its Bison pre-cast business, Forterra has concluded that better returns are to …

Bradfords Building Supplies has launched Mental Health Awareness for Managers, an updated workshop programme being deployed across the entire breadth of the business’ branch management, to provide enhanced support for its 830 staff. The builders’ merchant was already an early adopter of mental health awareness training, which included the appointment …

Arbor Forest Products is set to launch its industry-leading digital asset library for Trex products in June, providing stockists with easy access to media such as images, brochures and technical information. The North Lincolnshire-based independent timber importer and processor, which is the exclusive distributor of Trex composite decking products in …

Local builders’ merchants Kenning’s Building Supplies have launched a new eCommerce website this week, enabling trade customers and members of the public to place orders and take delivery from all over the East Riding. Traditionally a retail-only business, previously if a customer was further afield than the Goole & Gilberdyke …

AS the height of summer approaches, PermaLawn is encouraging UK merchants to consider diversifying their stock range by adding artificial grass that’s simple to install with a high-quality aesthetic, giving their customers an easy way to broaden their own services. Last year, the UK saw a 31.4% increase in the sale of …

LBS Builders Merchants have recently appointed Intact as their new ERP partner. The Intact iQmerchant ERP solution will be rolled out across the 32-branch network over the coming months. Intact iQ will empower LBS to be agile and flexible in their ability to meet and exceed customer’s needs. It will …

Self-isolation alerts are having a significant impact on the supply of building materials, according to The Builders Merchants Federation. It has raised concerns with the government about the effect staff shortages are placing on an industry already balancing unprecedented demand. John Newcomb, CEO of the BMF, said: “We are currently …

Polypipe Building Products were happy to help when GB track star Sally Gunnell was looking to renovate her property. When the Olympic gold medal winner and her family wanted to install underfloor heating that would be efficient and unobtrusive, Polypipe’s Overlay Plus® system was the ideal solution. After discussing the …

Builders merchants trade association the Builders Merchants Federtion is among the consruction indusry groups warning that supply chain shortages are being exacerbated by the NHS Covid app ‘pingdemic’. The latest problems were highlighted in a statement from the  Construction Leadership Council’s Product Availability working group. Its update warned that “labour …

Buttle’s builders’ merchants in Leighton Buzzard has partnering with HSS Hire to deliver a ‘one-stop’ shop for customers. The branch in Grovebury Road becomes the first of two Buttle’s sites to launch HSS Hire, with Enfield due to follow in August. Managing director Ian Church said: “We’re delighted to partner …