News

The Plumbing and Heating Merchant Index report indicates sales for July 2023 through specialist plumbing and heating merchants were up +8.5% on July last year, prices increased +4.9%, as did volumes (+3.4%). It also showed that Month-on-month, value sales in July were -3.9% lower than June. Volume sales decreased by …

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales were down -0.4% in July compared to the same month in 2022, with volume falling -7.9% and prices up +8.1% – the last three months, May to July, value sales were +8.5% higher than in February to April …

A new report has been published by specialist civil engineering products provider Wrekin, to highlight the relationship between failing ironwork and the UK’s extensive pothole problem. The report titled “Potholes – More Than a Surface Issue: Helping Local Authorities Find Solutions to the UK’s Pothole Problem”,  explores how gully grates, …

Trevor Harvey, CEO of Stelrad, one of the leading players in the European radiator market, has called on the Government to take a more “joined up” approach to addressing net zero and incentivising home owners to take measures to reduce climate emissions from their homes. “Decarbonisation, improving energy efficiency and …

Knauf Insulation has invested in excess of £5m to upgrade its packaging equipment at its Cwmbran manufacturing plant in Wales, the latest phase of its planned investment programme. The new equipment will allow Knauf Insulation to manufacture glass mineral wool slabs, alongside the plant’s current roll and blowing wool capability. …

Following the Prime Minister’s speech on net zero commitments, Jeff House, external affairs & policy director at Baxi, explains what is needed next to continue momentum to decarbonising heat. “We welcome the government’s commitment to improving the Boiler Upgrade Scheme by increasing the total grant to £7,500. As a manufacturer …

The BMF has announced that ACO Technologies will be the headline sponsor of the BMF All Industry Conference 2025. John Newcomb, BMF CEO said: “We are delighted that ACO Technologies has come on board as headline sponsor for our next All Industry Conference at this early stage.  Following on from …

A report by the BMF to establish the current state of sustainability in the building materials sector has revealed a disparity between the BMF’s supplier and merchant members. It found that 78% of suppliers place sustainability in the top three priorities for their business, and are leveraging it as a …

Brett Martin has significantly grown the number of merchant branches it supplies with underground drainage components as a result of a new agreement with National Buying Group (NBG) that came into effect in January of this year. The expansion marks a significant milestone for the company and reflects its commitment …

Leading organisations in the construction industry, representing over 250,000 workers, have launched a coalition that aims to tackle a lack of diversity across the industry. The Construction Inclusion Coalition has been established by CEOs at organisations including Aliaxis, Baxi, Bradfords, Highbourne Group, Ibstock PLC, Knauf, Travis Perkins PLC, Wavin, Wolseley, …