News

The majority of tradespeople expect workloads in 2021 to increase or remain unchanged from their current levels, according to a survey conducted by builders merchant group Travis Perkins. The survey of over 1,600 tradespeople across the country shows 87% of respondents believe their workloads will increase or remain the same …

Steel lintel manufacturer Keystone Lintels has won the ‘Supplier of the Year’ award from builders merchant Buildbase for 2020. The award follows on from the company’s allocade as Southern Division Supplier of the Year for 2019. Keystone Lintels’ sales director David Grace, said: “This is a great celebration of the …

Independent builders merchant Elliotts has installed new signage at its Christchurch branch and it is longer and bigger than any the company has done before. At 52 metres, the sign that runs around the front and side of the branch is the longest the family-run merchant has ever installed and …

Builders merchant Selco Builders Warehouse is to increase investment in the development of more than 150 colleagues in 2021. The company’s Selco’s Rising Stars initiative has over 100 people enrolled and working through the nationally recognised Level Two qualification; the merchant plans to increase that number on the scheme later …

Almost half of roofing and cladding contractors  are concerned about the effect of shortages of building and roofing materials on their business. That’s according to a survey produced by Glenigan for the National Federation of Roofing Contractors. Roof tiles were the material is shortest supply, according to the survey, with …

Nicholls & Clarke Group has bought Norfolk based tile business, Norwich Tile Centre. The tile and bathroom retailer, run by Karen Seaman and husband Gary, who are now retiring, has been established as one of the premier tile outlets in Norwich for the past 30 years and will now benefit …

National Apprenticeship Week 2021 once again shone the spotlight on the value of supporting the next generation. At Bradfords Building Supplies, a dedicated apprenticeship programme has  proved a great success. The independent builders merchant has published a video highlighting some of the success of the scheme. Bradfords CEO David Young …

Indepdent builders merchant buying group NMBS is encouraging all its members and suppliers to spread a little love on social media, with its new #LoveIndependents campaign. The current pandemic has been challenging for independent businesses, for whom repeated lockdowns and in-branch COVID restrictions have made trading difficult. Although the construction …

A branch of builders merchant Huws Gray in Woodford, Stockport went up in flames last night. Six crews from Greater Manchester and Cheshire attended the fire at the branch at around 6.15pm, on Monday February 8th. Residents in the area were advised to keep windows and doors shut as a …

Building products firm Alumasc has posted a pre-tax profit rise of 300% for the second half of 2020, on turnover that rose to £45.6m from £41.1m as underlying profit margins increased to 13.6% from 6.1%. The company said: “ The 11% uplift in our revenues to £45.6 million reflects an increase …