News

Builder’s merchants, JT Dove, has been avid supporters of CHUF (Children’s Heart Unit Fund) for over five years now and the latest donation has pushed their donations over the £100,000 total mark. It has also opened up an amazing opportunity for four merchant trainees to put business practice into action …

Almost 80% of builders are calling for more regulation in the construction industry to end the tyranny of cowboy builders, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). The FMB is calling on the Government to introduce a licensing scheme in construction as part of its new Agenda ‘Raising the …

Construction activity in April rose at its fastest pace for five months, underpinned by the housebuilding sector’s recovery from the weather disruption of March. That’s according to the latest IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI, which found a moderate recovery in construction output with house building being the main category of …

Small and medium-sized building firms got slightly busier in the first three months of this year rising material prices, according to the Federation of Master Builders.   Ninety percent of builders reported increasing material prices in Q1 2018 – the highest reading on record. Other key findings of the report …

Yale, along with a host of other technology giants, is sponsoring Smart Home Week 2018 – an initiative to showcase the very best in smart, connected and integrated home technology. Running from 21st – 27th May, Smart Home Week will help trade professionals get to grips with the smart home …

The inaugral BMJ Industry Awards lunch takes place at the Brewery in Chiswell Street on Friday May 18th. The final shortlist has been voted for and the winning entries will be announced at the celebration lunch, hosted by TV favourite Claudia Winkleman.   “Having a presenter of this calibre really …

James Hargreaves is now planning to put Fibo’s bathroom wall panels into all of its 23 showrooms due to the demand generated from installing them in seven new showrooms. The independent plumbers’ merchant started selling Fibo products last November. “Retro-fitting the established showrooms will take time but we’ve had such …

Gyproc Tools discuss the importance of attracting future talent into the construction industry by offering five actionable tips. As a business, attracting the next customer is just as important as the next employee. Following the biggest decline of the sector since 2012, businesses in construction now face a serious challenge …

North east decorators’ merchant Fred Williamson & Sons Ltd has been acquired by growing independent company, C. Brewer & Sons Ltd. The acquisition marks Brewers’ entry into the North East market and is the culmination of a long-term relationship between the two businesses. Founded in 1884 by Fred Williamson in …

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, has praised the commitment of the Builders Merchants Federation for encouraging more young people to enter the building materials industry. During a visit to the BMF headquarters, the Mayor met with apprentices and discussed the career prospects for young people in the sector. …