News

Builders’ merchant, MKM Building Supplies, is set to open its 143rd branch in Luton on March 30. The new branch, located on Dallow Road LU1 1UU, will offer  building materials, dedicated plumbing and heating facilities, kitchens and bathrooms, giving customers access to both structural materials and finishing products. Branch development …

Travis Perkins, and Travis Perkins Managed Services, have revitalised an area of West Northampton, providing materials and volunteer support to transform Park Square in Kings Heath. Working in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council and dedicated local volunteers, the Travis Perkins Northampton branch on Harvey Reeves Road and the business’ Managed …

Builders merchant Jewson has donated £1,000 to Mendip Green Primary School to support its new outdoor play and learning (OPAL) project, as part of the relaunch of its refurbished Weston-super-Mare branch. The funding will enable the school to purchase materials including topsoil and turf to complete the banks around its …

Hand tool manufacturer KNIPEX has released new research on what plumbers want from merchants. The findings, pulled together from surveys, focus groups and merchant visits across the UK, claim 61% of plumbers say quality is their main priority, with just 9% putting price first. The research also highlights that trade …

Heating manufacturer Grant UK marks 30 years.. The company was founded in 1996, when Paul Wakefield, Grant UK’s founder and managing director, first met Grant Engineering’s Irish owners, Stephen Grant and John Fay and had the idea of bringing their oil-fired boilers to the UK market. “Reaching 30 years is …

The Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants (WCoBM) hosted its annual City & Awards luncheon at Apothecaries’ Hall on March 16 2026. Now in its 14th year, the event celebrates exceptional achievement among rising stars in the building materials sector, as well as examples of service and dedication among WCoBM’s military …

Building materials supplier Huws Gray, has launched a new National Account Solutions division. This move brings together Huws Gray’s account management teams under a unified structure and leadership, providing customers with a single point of contact, supported by a dedicated team. This new division further strengthens Huws Gray’s position as …

The Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants (WCoBM) has welcomed seven new Freemen to the Company at the admission ceremony on Monday 16th March at Apothecaries’ Hall, taking the total number of Liverymen and Freemen to 262. They are: Carlywn Coombes of Bence & Co, Jonathan Day of Day Aggregates Ltd, …

The Rainy Day Trust’s Mad March Million challenge has broken its headline target with 2 weeks remaining. The sector-wide movement challenge, delivered in partnership with workplace wellbeing specialists Wellbeing People, launched on March 1 2026, encouraging participants to commit to just 10 minutes of extra movement every day throughout the …

Grant Westfield, manufacturer of wall panel brands Multipanel and Naturepanel, has announced a new strategic partnership with power tool brand Festool. The manufacturer will be working with Festool to produce a series of installer training videos filmed at Festool’s UK headquarters in Bury St Edmunds, using Festool tools alongside Grant …