News

Construction industry activity grew at its fastest rate for five years as the latest IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Total Activity Index showed 56.8 in September up from 54.6 in August. In April it had plummeted to 8.2 because of the UK lockdown. Respondents were also the most confident about their …

 The oldest builders’ merchants in the UK, Bradfords Building Supplies, has launched its ‘Three Cheers’ campaign in celebration of its 250th birthday. The ‘Three Cheers for 250 Years’ campaign is also about raising a glass and recognising the value of collaboration, partnership and everyone in the industry looking out for each …

Builders merchant Selco Builders Warehouse has launched a management training programme to enhance the careers of hundreds of staff. The first phase of the Selco Rising Stars campaign – which will see aspiring supervisors embark on a year-long training scheme to take the next steps to becoming potential managers of …

Builders merchants trade association the Builders Merchants Federation is calling on its members to actively support the Government’s Green Homes Grant. The scheme has the potential to improve the energy efficiency of over 600,000 homes and to support 100,000 jobs. Tradespeople need to be TrustMark registered to carry out home …

Keyline Civils Specialist, the civils and drainage products merchant, has opened its first dedicated Keyline Plastics Specialist branch.  The branch, in Gravesend, offers customers an increased range of plastic civils and drainage products including underground drainage, utility ducting, stormwater management solutions, duct and access chambers, channel drainage, manhole covers and …

Hopkins group, parent company of independent builders and plumbers merchant Turnbull and Company in Lincolnshire has reported a rise in its turnover and pre-tax profits. The Sleaford-headquartered group saw turnover of £45.3m for the 12 months to 31 December 2019, up from £39.2m. Pre-tax profits rose from £1.9m to £1.95m …

Builders and plumbers merchant group Travis Perkins has agreed a deal to sell its Tile Giant subsidiary to Coverings Ltd, led by entrepreneurs Andrew Thirkill and Adrian Hinchliffe. Travis Perkins plc bought Tile Giant in late 2007, since when it has grown from 29 to 82 retail stores, and turnover …

Independent builders’ merchants Huws Gray Group has bought Milford Building Supplies, based in Leeds, as part of its continuing, ambitious expansion plans. Milford Building Supplies was set up 41 years ago, on a single site on Cardigan Road in Headingley. The business grew steadily through the 80’s and 90’s and …

Leading insulation manufacturer Superglass has today (October 1 2020) been named Company of the Year by Scottish Engineering, recognising the company’s excellence in areas such as innovation and investment. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the traditional Awards Dinner couldn’t take place, but Scottish Engineering Chief Executive Paul Sheerin visited the …

Grant & Stone Limited, the independent builders’ merchant based in the Thames Valley, has acquired 3Counties Timber & Building Supplies Limited. Established in 2007, 3Counties Timber & Building Supplies has branches in Aylesbury and Hemel Hempstead, offering a broad range of heavy and lightside building materials to individuals, contractors and …