News

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 …

A new Boiler Scrappage Scheme can stimulate the local economy and generate higher tax receipts, according to the CEO of leading trade body the Energy and Utilities Alliance, who has written to the Chancellor, following the Bank of England’s latest forecast, that Covid19 will result in a 14 per cent …

Builders merchants trade association the Builders Merchants Federation has welcomed the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer today (May 12) of an extension to the furlough scheme until October. As a member of the Construction Leadership Council, which is co-ordinating the industry’s response to the Covid-19 crisis the BMF …

Less than two years after it was nearly destroyed by arsonists, the Leeds branch of Jewson Civils Frazer has been rebuilt and is helping with essential projects across the region, providing materials for essential repair and maintenance and more broadly for Essential projects including the Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate, Sunderland …

The 2020 Ufemat Congress, which brings together builders merchants, building materials suppliers and trade bodies from across Europe, and was set to take place in London in October has been postponed due to Covid-19. The decision was taken by Ufemat Secretary General, Marnix Van Hoe and Ufemat’s current President, John …

With the government starting to communicate its plan to ease restrictions, Keyline Civils Specialist recently conducted a survey to investigate how the ongoing crisis is continuing to affect construction businesses, both big and small.  The results suggested that while concerns are varied, a key issue is that many are unsure …