News

Builders merchant group Travis Perkins saw its 2018 sales rise to £6,741m, an increase of 4.8% against a market backdrop of considerable uncertainty. Sales and operating profit improved in the General Merchanting division in H2, and whilst the UK DIY market was particularly challenging due to both macro and competitive …

Polypipe, one of Europe’s largest and most innovative manufacturers of piping solutions, underfloor heating and energy efficient ventilation, was given a royal seal of approval last week during a visit by HRH the Princess Royal. The Princess was escorted on a guided tour of one of the FTSE 250-listed multinational’s …

Following the publication of the Committee for Climate Change’s “UK housing: Fit for the future?” report, Mark Wilkins, head of training and external affairs for Vaillant Group UK, weighs in on the climate change debate: “Pinning the future of the environment on a single type of fuel or technology is …

In the summer of 2018, parts of a fossilised Pliosaur skeleton were found buried in land operated by building materials supplier, CEMEX. The remains of this savage predator, a prehistoric sea monster that lived over 155 million years ago, will be going on display at North Lincolnshire Museum in Scunthorpe …

Paving manufacture, Bradstone, has opened the doors to its 2019 Bradstone Training Academy . Now in its fifth year, the Bradstone Training Academy, running from 25th February to 13th March 2019, is open to all merchants looking to expand and improve their knowledge within the ever-evolving hard landscaping industry. The …

Williams & Co have announced that The Sunday Times has placed them as 76th Best Company to Work for in the UK. From small beginnings in Portsmouth in 1972 as a local Plumbing and Heating Trade Merchant, they’ve grown to become a real presence in the industry nationally with 36 …

Wood panel manufacturer, Norbord, is ploughing £35 million into the second phase of development of its Inverness factory in Scotland – taking overall investment in the past two years to £145 million. Almost one year on from a £110 million expansion programme to significantly increase capacity, the company will now …

W.Howard Group has made a significant investment in a new warehousing facility in Glazebury, near Warrington in Cheshire. The 4.5-acre site on Albion Park was purchased in October 2018, and was previously a manufacturing facility. W.Howard has spent the last few months renovating it, and transforming it ready for use …

Showering manufacturer Coram UK, owner of Coram Showers and Impey Wetrooms, has entered a period of transformation which will enhance its UK operating model. In line with a group-wide growth strategy launched by its Dutch parent company, Coram UK is implementing changes to its business model. The European Group ‘One …

The high street is dying but not yet dead and can still be revived and reimagined, says the Federation of Master Builder (FMB) in response to a new report by a Committee of MPs. Responding to the ‘High streets and town centres 2030’ report published today by the Select Committee …