News

BMF and IoBM to merge in May

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Three years after it was first proposed, the merger between builders merchants organisations  the Institute of Builders’ Merchants and  the Builders Merchants Federation is to go ahead with effect from May 1 2021. The Institute will be separately managed and operate as a brand within the BMF. Members approved the …

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BMF reveals training award finalists

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Builders merchants E H Smith, Harlow, Huws Gray and LBS have been nominated for the title BMF Training Company of the Year 2021, part of the annual member awards made by the Builders Merchants Federation. Nominated by BMF Regional Managers, who work closely with members in their area to satisfy …

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Full construction recovery will take a further year, says CPA

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Double digit growth is expected for the UK construction industry this year, although it may take until next year before the industry recovers the output lost in 2020 and returns to 2019 levels, according to the latest forecast from the Construction Products Association. Construction activity continued throughout the first quarter …

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Selco spruces up urban farm

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  Selco Builders Warehouse has donated a range of materials to Woodgate Urban Farm, based on Doulton Close in Harborne, after being approached by customer David Cox, of Facilica Building Services.   The materials have been used to create a concrete path at the entrance to the farm to improve …

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Combilift gives Monaghan Ladies Gaelic Football Team a lift

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Materials handling specialists Combilift is giving women’s sport a lift withthe announcement of its three-year sponsorship deal with the Monaghan Ladies Gaelic football team. The company is also sponsoring the Monaghan senior club championship. The Combilift logo will now be prominent on both home and away jerseys, as well as …

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Ibstock revisits plans for new £60m factory

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Soaring demand for bricks has persuaded brick maker Ibstock to revive its plans to build a new £60m factory in the West Midlands. Plan for the Atlas site in Aldridge were put on hold due to the Covid pandemic and have now been upgraded. A wire cut clay brick factory …

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Jewson partners with ex-Arsenal skipper Tony Adams for mental health

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National builders merchant chain Jewson  is aiming to help employees improve their wellbeing and positive mental health via a partnership with SIX Mental Health Solutions – founded by former England and Arsenal captain, Tony Adams. The work with SIX MHS will provide Jewson employees with a range of services designed …

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BMF launches new Sustainability Forum in June

Giles Bradford

Builders merchants trade association the Builders Merchants Federation is launching a new Sustainability Forum, which will meet for the first time on 9 June. To be chaired by Giles Bradford, communications and engagement manager at Bradfords Building Supplies and sponsored by BMF service member, Peak, the Sustainability Forum will bring …

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James Jones & Sons completes new visitor building at flagship Lockerbie site

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The Lockerbie site is the showcase sawmill within the James Jones Group. It is the largest single-site sawmill complex in the UK and the most technically advanced. As such, pre-pandemic, Lockerbie received a high number of visitors – including small groups of customer visits, customer training courses, academic institutions, and …

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Paperwork is builders’ biggest stress, merchant research finds

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Organising, sorting and finding their paperwork is one of the top sources of stress within the building trade, according to a new survey of builders and trades people. The survey, conducted by Parker and Chandlers Building Supplies among 700 builders, revealed that almost two thirds, or 62%, of general builders …

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