Timber and timber product supplier SCA Wood has invested over half a million pounds in racking, lighting and technology to support its new distribution model. “We have been working on our new distribution model, which replicates our product range in our Welshpool and Cumbernauld merchant operations,” says Jan Gritter, general …
Read More »Heavyside sees second-quarter slump
Sales of heavy-side building materials slumped in second quarter as the economy and construction slowed. The latest statistics from the Mineral Products Association (MPA) show that sales of heavy-side building materials, including aggregates, ready-mixed concrete (RMC), asphalt and mortar saw unprecedented declines during the second quarter of the year. Aggregates …
Read More »Coillte boosts OSB plant
Irish manufacturer Coillte is to invest €44.4M in improving and upgrading its MEDITE SMARTPLY’s SMARTPLY OSB plant in County Waterford, the company announced today (August 3). The investment will upgrade the drying plant and enhance efficiency, reliability and plant capacity. The company is looking to as it looks to scale up …
Read More »Seven-day return for Selco
Builders merchant Selco Builders Warehouse is to return to Sunday trading from the first week of August. Selco Builders Warehouse’s 68 branches will all open on Sundays between 10am and 4pm, starting on August 9. A programme to reopen cafes – offering a takeaway service only at this stage – …
Read More »Huws Gray celebrates 30th anniversary
Anglesey based independent builders merchant Huws Gray, will mark its 30th year in business on Thursday (August 6), having been set up with a single branch by Terry Jones and John Llewelyn Jones. The company now has over 100 branches and is the country’s sixth largest merchant with sales of …
Read More »Obituary: Kevin Fowler
It is with utmost sadness that Pavestone reports the unexpected death of Kevin Fowler, Founder and Managing Director of the Pavestone Group of Companies, at his home, following a sudden heart attack, on the morning of 28 July 2020. Kevin’s career began with regional Oxfordshire business, Rogers Concrete and …
Read More »Consulting teams join forces
Wilson Brook Consulting and Business Growth Coaching Ltd have joined forces in a combined partnership seeking to add a more comprehensive set of people related solutions and support to clients during these unprecedented times. This unique offering to the market demonstrates that two complimentary organisations can work stronger together combining …
Read More »BMF focuses on sustainability at Virtual Members Conference for 2020
Builders merchants trade association the Builders Merchants Federation has revealed further details of its virtual Members Conference in September. The half-day virtual event will take place on 17 September 2020, sponsored by Marshalls/Stonemarket. Up to 300 delegates can be accommodated by the virtual format and delegates must reserve their place …
Read More »Kitchen and bathroom installation scheme launched for merchants and retailers
A scheme to link kitchen and bathroom installers with consumers via the independent retailer and stockist has been launched by the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI). Protected is a new digital platform that connects homeowners with professionals via the independent retailer or stockist. The retailers or …
Read More »Travis Perkins-owned Toolstation benefits from lockdown impact
A trading update issued this morning (July 28) by Travis Perkins plc shows that of its four divisions, only Toolstation has shown growth in like-for-like sales in the first half, a clear benefit of the strong DIY sales through the UK lockdown period. For the first half year, merchanting sales …
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