News

Figures released in the latest BMF Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) confirm sales growth for the second successive quarter, following two years of consistent declines, but the outlook is far from certain.  Looking at the quarter as a whole, year-on-year total value sales in Q1 2025 grew by +2.8% on …

The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has announced the nominations for three awards for individuals working in BMF member companies who are making an exceptional contribution to the building materials sector. The awards, which originated in 2013 with the first Young Merchant Achiever accolade, honour those who have demonstrated an ability …

Howarth Timber & Building Supplies is launching Season 2 of  its The 1840 Podcast in September, with episode 1 going live on September 8. First launched in January, the podcast was created to extend communication beyond the usual annual events, and engage both internal teams and external audiences, giving a …

Howdens, the trade kitchen supplier, has extended its free tool marking kit pilot as new research shows a third of tradespeople have been affected by tool theft Howdens will give away free tool marking kits to tradespeople at its Benton depot on Wednesday, 3rd September to help prevent tool theft …

Travis Perkins Managed Services account manager Amy Neill, is set to race in the Great North Run on September 7 2025 to raise money for The National Autistic Society. Neill, whose six-year-old son has autism, is running to raise funds for the charity, while helping to raise autism awareness along …

Long Rake Spar, the decorative aggregate supplier, has unveiled a brand-new, £350K, mobile bagging unit to help meet increased demand. The new unit went into service this week (August 26) at the company’s flagship Rye Harbour production site in East Sussex, to help boost production of washed and unwashed aggregates …

Specialist Driver Resourcing (SDR), the temporary driver agency dedicated to the builders’ merchant and building materials sector, has officially joined the Construction Inclusion Coalition (CIC) as a strategic partner. The CIC was founded to encourage the industry to work together to retain, attract and recruit from as diverse a range of …

Pilot plant tests by the UK Quality Ash Association (UKQAA) have demonstrated that Coal Derived Fly Ash (CDFA), can be processed to meet UK and European standards for use in cement and concrete.   Fly ash, found across the country in huge legacy stockpiles created by decades of electricity generation at …

Made in Britain, the not-for-profit trade organisation that highlights British-made products, has launched a new Environmental & Social Value (ESV) Certification for UK manufacturing companies. The Certification is designed to inform UK businesses, specifically SMEs, and promoting the role they play in driving economic growth, environmental responsibility and positive social …

Cowal Building and Plumbing Supplies, a founding partner of NBG, the national buying group, has acquired building and joinery merchant, Neilson’s Joinery Superstore. The acquisition of Neilson’s Joinery Superstore expands the company’s presence in Glasgow and west Scotland and adds to the growing list of well-known Scottish Independent Merchant brands under …