News

Independent builders merchant buying group h&b has grown to over 100 merchant members, all fully privately-owned and -run family businesses with a collective buying power of nearly £1 bn. Most of those members are open for business as the COVID-19 lockdown continues; all members are operating strictly within the government’s safety …

Sales for builders merchants in the first quarter of 2020 were negatively impacted by the  Covid-19 pandemic and Government measures to reduce transmission of the virus. That’s according to figures released by the BMF’s Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI). Figures for Q1 2020 show a decline of -6.7% in total builders’ …

Independent builders merchant buying group NMBS has been named a 2020 CRASH Fundraising Champion in recognition of its support over the past year. The 17 Fundraising Champions have been recognised for going above and beyond to carry out fundraising between March 2019 and April 2020. Thanks to a combination of …

Builders merchant Chandlers Building Supplies has opened a new branch in Leatherhead, Surrey. The branch, at Business Park 8 on Barnett Wood Lane, also offers customers a drive-through facility to allow materials to be loaded in the dry all year round.                  

Tarmac’s Cement and Lime business has sponsored Band of Builders’ latest project, providing funds and Blue Circle products to build an extension for the family of a boy who is living with Mitochondrial Disease. Band of Builders, a charity which lends a helping hand to tradesmen during their time of …

Independent builders’ merchant Bradfords Building Supplies will be working with the charity Mental Health UK to offer support for tradespeople. The oldest builders’ merchants in the UK, celebrating its 250th birthday this year, aims to help promote the support available for those working in the industry. News of this new …

It is with enormous sadness, that we report that Paul Sexton, Managing Director of Lawsons Timber, Building & Fencing Merchants, sadly passed away on Friday 8th May 2020 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Paul’s parents emigrated from Cork City in Ireland and he was the youngest of …

Builders merchant chain Selco Builders Warehouse will have all 68 branches open again in some form by next week. Last week, 42 branches reopened 42 of its branches to support the delivery of online orders – through Click & Collect from branch car parks and Click & Deliver. This will …

Five of JCB’s UK factories are starting production again, following the manufacturing giant’s implementation of safety measures to protect factory workers in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. The majority of JCB’s 6,500 UK employees have been furloughed since April, although some at the Uttoxeter factory have been making ventilators. …

Restructuring at paving and landscaping manufacturer Marshalls in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic could see up to 400 people made redundant, a trading statement said today (May 13). Sales in the first four months through to 30 April were down 27% at £131 million (2019: £180 million). However, in …