News

Acquisitive builders merchant group Huws Gray has bought independent Higgins Building Supplies Ltd based in Wellingborough & Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire. The family-owned builders’ merchant, which now operates from a 4.5-acre site and landscaping centre in Wellingbrorough plus a third site in Irthlingborough, was established in 1866 by Thomas Henry Higgins, and …

Imperial Bricks now requires all of its manufacturing partners meet and evidence at least four key internationally recognised standards for product quality, sustainability and ethical supply. In fact, every one of Imperial’s factory partners meet at least six of the eight standards listed in the Brick Development Association’s new ‘Brickmakers …

Builders merchants trade association The Builders Merchants Federation has teamed up with Apprenticeship Management Group to launch a new level three apprenticeship. The Level 3 Team Leader Supervisor apprenticeship will support those taking the initial step to becoming a manager, or who have recently been appointed to a junior management …

Livery company The Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants has donated nearly £90,000 during the Covid-19 pandemic to a wide range of causes. Additional donations were made to those supporting the NHS and frontline key workers, as well as trade charities such as the Rainy Day Trust, Crash, Lighthouse Construction Industry …

Steve Ingham, CEO of PageGroup, the specialist recruitment company, is to make a return visit to the BMF All Industry Conference. Ingham’s presentation will focus on creating opportunity.  PageGroup’s people first culture has been strengthened by successfully adapting to volatile market and cultural changes, delivering a threefold increase in turnover and …

National, bathrooms, appliances and sinks & taps distributor, PJH has invested in three new regional distribution centres – in Enfield, Thirsk, and Bristol. The move brings significant expansion in its Next Day Delivery Service to retailers, to include up to 91% coverage of UK postcodes. The new Enfield, Thirsk and …

Global timber shortages have put the UK housebuilding industry’s supply chain in the eye of a perfect storm – with faltering availability and rapidly rising costs of basic materials such as roofing batten, presenting a serious challenge to the housebuilding industry – and one they must face and deal with …

Independent builders merchant Huws Gray has invested in a 40,000 sq. ft production site in Bangor, to complement its existing Timber Engineering plant in Welshpool. The investment will more than double the company’s operational capacity. Osian Jones, area manager for Huws Gray Timber Engineering says: “We are very optimistic about …

Gwent Beekeepers Association teaches people how to keep honeybees, supports beekeepers in establishing best practice, and educates the public on the importance of bees as pollinators. After many years of hiring local halls, the Association has purchased land and built a Passmores timber building to create a permanent teaching centre …

Builders merchants group Travis Perkins has sold its plumbing & heating division, which includes PTS Plumbing Trade Supplies and City Plumbing Supplies to H.I.G Capital. The sale follows the demerger of Wickes, last month and the sale of plumbing & heating wholesaler Primaflow F & P in January 2020. Nick …