News

Wolseley, the plumbing, heating and cooling trade specialist merchant, is evolving its brand to highlight and signpost its key specialisms, under the banners of Wolseley Pipe and Wolseley Climate. John Hancock, managing director of Wolseley Pipe and Wolseley Climate, says: “In January 2018 our business brought together its different units under …

Etex Group has bought FSi Limited, the UK manufacturer and supplier of firestopping products. With an annual turnover of around £20 million, FSi ‘s product portfolio includes intumescent sealants and ablative-coated stone wool batts. The move strengthens Etex’s ability to provide comprehensive lightweight construction solutions for clients through its Building …

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak MP, has announced a raft of financial measures in the House of Common to help businesses as the Covid-19 Job Retention Scheme finishes at the end of October. The Job Support Scheme will directly support the wages of people in work, giving businesses …

If the £2bn Green Homes Grant (GHG) scheme is to work, it will need to be backed by a strong supply chain. That’s according to Janeeth Green, Insulation Category Manager at distributor CCF. The scheme, announced by the Chancellor earlier this Summer, aims to facilitate the energy efficiency upgrade the  …

South West independent builders merchant Bradfords Building Supplies, celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, has taken delivery of a new dropside DAF CF260 from Ryder. The new truck features a commemorative livery and a personalised licence plate: RIG 1770. Initially it was intended that the new truck work in a …

North-east independent builders’ merchant James Burrell has just ordered a further six new-generation Mercedes-Benz Arocs six-wheeler trucks. The Gateshead-based company operates from a network of 10 branches located throughout the North-East and Yorkshire. Each day its 36 trucks – the majority of them 26-tonne Mercedes-Benz dropsiders with cranes – deliver …

The Horsham branch of Covers Timber & Builders Merchants is continuing to sponsor Broadbridge Heath FC for the 2020/2021 season. The season long support package provided by Covers will include the company’s logo featuring on perimeter boards at the club’s grounds on Wickhurst Lane. The club, which was founded in …

Independent plumbers merchant Gills Plumbing & Heating in Welwyn Garden City completed a rebrand in early-March and had planned to invite customers in to show-off the new look store. However, the Covid-19 pandemic caused the country lockdown and the proved impossible. The merchant, a member of the IPG buying group, …

Radiator manufacturer Stelrad has continued its support for a locally based charity through its support for the Montagu Cup – a football tournament that is entered each year by teams across South Yorkshire and one which can trace its history back more than a century. The Final usually takes place …

Builders’ merchants sales bounced back strongly in the three months May to July, rising 38.9% compared with February to April, according to the latest Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) report. Compared with the same three months of 2019 sales were down 13.4% overall, but July sales were only 1.3% below …