News

CEMEX invests in Rugby

Rugby plant

Building materials solutions supplier CEMEX is to invest over £5m into two new plastic packing lines for packed cement at its Rugby Cement Plant. The development will significantly increase its packed cement capacity  and allow the business to provide long term surety of supply to its customers. Additionally, the investment …

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Russell recognises long service

Roof tile manufacturer, Russell Roof Tiles, is celebrating the long service of 11 members of the team, who have a combined long service of 135 years.  The firm presented Long Service Awards to staff across the sites in Burton and Lochmaben including senior members of its management team Bruce Laidlaw …

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Toolstation offers new Trade credit service

toolstation

 Toolstation, part of the Travis Perkins Group, has brought in a new Trade Credit account at a time when a survey of its customers showed that almost half of tradespeople admit to being worried about the impact of the pandemic and one in five concerned about cash flow difficulties. The …

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Roofing Megastore doubles growth in 2020

 An online roofing merchant has seen a 100% increase in revenue in 2020. Roofing Megastore, founded in 2017 by Banbury-based entrepreneur Gian-Carlo Grossi,  says it benefitted from “an explosion in demand” during the first COVID-19 lockdown, rapidly scaling up its team, adopting new processes, and making targeted investment in response …

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RGB’s Launceston branch marks 30 years since opening

rgb launceston 30th anniversary

The Launceston branch of RGB Building Supplies recently celebrated 30 years since it opened its doors. As well as giving away goody bags to thank visitors for their custom, the branch team held a raffle in aid of RGB’s chosen charity, Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, where one lucky person won a signed Exeter Chiefs shirt. The raffle raised £107 for the …

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Travis Perkins’ recovery prompts Covid-19 payback

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  Strength in DIY sales during October and November has helped Travis Perkins to return £50m of UK government help. The Group says its Wickes and Toolstation brands benefited from the ‘surge in DIY trade’ during the first part of the Covid-19 pandemic and that it would return business rates …

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BMF responds to Brexit Trade Deal

The Builders Merchants Federation welcomed the announcement, just before Christmas, that the UK and the EU have agreed a free trade agreement achieving widespread market access with no tariffs or quotas because it will provide the construction sector with much needed reassurance in respect of the cost and availability of building …

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Sydenhams buys Staverton Building Supplies

Stavertons Edited

Builders merchant group Sydenhams has acquired Staverton Building Supplies based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Staverton’s, a single branch merchant, will begin trading as Sydenhams from  January 4. Sydenhams managing director Lee Wright said the company is delighted to welcome Staverton Building Supplies to the Sydenhams group. “Stavertons are a fantastic well-run …

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Ferguson sells Wolseley UK

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Global plumbers merchant chain Ferguson plc has sold its Wolseley UK heating and plumbing distribution business, to private investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice today (January 4 2021) for approximately £308 million. In the year ended July 31, 2020 Wolseley UK’s revenue was £1,403 million, with operating profits at £2.2million. …

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Supply chain issues hamper recovery for builders, says FMB

low res builders hat on site

Nine in ten builders face rising costs, as supply chain disruptions and rising product demand are making it hard for Britain to get building. The latest State of Trade survey data from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), which represents small and medium-sized construction firms, paints a worrying picture that …

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