News

Independent Birmingham-based builders’ merchant EH Smith has told its local MP that reducing emissions and easing traffic congestion drove the decision to open a new branch in Birmingham city centre. Chairman John Parker told Roger Godsiff MP for Birmingham Hall Green that the new store in Brighton Road, Balsall Heath …

Builders merchants could have to pay £1bn extra VAT post-Brexit if a suitable customs agreement is not reached. That was the warning issued today (July 19) by builders merchants trade association, the Builders Merchants Federation. The BMF says that, if builders merchants are forced to pay 20% VAT upfront on …

Independent builders and plumbers merchant group Bradfords saw turnover rise by 19% in the 2017 to 2018 financial year, taking it over the £150m mark for the first time. The company puts the rise down to its expansion and continued investment in staff. It now has 42 builders merchant businesses, …

  On 4th July, specialist wetroom manufacturer Impey attended the Women Installers Together Conference 2018.  Organised by Stopcocks Women Plumbers, the event saw over one hundred female installers gather to celebrate women in the plumbing and gas fitting industries and has been described by the Impey team as: “Modern, refreshing …

Civils and engineering specialist merchant, Keyline, part of the Travis Perkins group,  has opened a new specialist branch in Leeds. The 3.5-acre site will provide an increased product range to customers in the surrounding area, from small tools to 1.5 tonne diggers. The company investment of over £1m to date …

“The Merchants of Menace” from Chandlers Building Supplies fought off the tough challenge for the second year running from 13 teams to lift the 2018 BMF Mastermerchant trophy, presented to the winners of the industry’s annual team building challenge. Team members were Pierre Krause, Kayleigh Sinclair, Trevor Mudd, Sean Sinclair. …

Independent builders merchants buying group NBG has signed major new buying deals with some of the building industry’s premium brands including Bond It, Forgefix, Gorilla, Imperial Bricks and Wykamol. “Every new NBG Supplier undergoes an extensive period of in-depth and robust negotiations, says NBG’s managing director Nick Oates. “They must …

Hampshire based independent builders merchant Elliotts has won two awards at the National Family Business Awards 2018. The merchant won the Family Business of the Year award for the South-East region at the ceremony at Wembley Stadium on Saturday July 14, while chairman Stuart Mason-Elliott was presented with a Lifetime …

Independent timber and builders merchant Howarth Timber and Building Supplies welcomed  Leeds Central MP, Hilary Benn, to its branch on Pontefract Lane, Leeds, to discuss issues affecting the supply chain and the wider West Yorkshire economy. Benn, who chairs the House of Commons Brexit Committee, met Howarth area manager Ian …

SR Timber is to partner with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to raise much-needed funds for the charity, which is the biggest independent funder of cardiovascular research in the UK. The company – a leading supplier of roofing batten to builders merchants – is keen to develop a closer, longer-term …