News

Imports of the main timber and panel products for the first two months of 2024 are fractionally ahead of the same period in 2023, up by 0.2% (3,000m3) following improvements in February after a disappointing January start. Overall, however, volumes remain subdued in line with weaker construction output and a generally …

Jewson is redeveloping its branch in Bridgwater, Somerset, in line with the  national builders’ merchant’s company rebrand, launched at the end of last month. Bridgwater will be the first Jewson branch to be fully refurbished in the new branding, with an upgrade to the products, services and facilities available to …

Chris Carr, National President of the Federation of Master Builders, is the first industry speaker to be confirmed for the BMF Members’ Annual Conference in September. Managing Director of a fourth-generation family housing developing company, Carr and Carr (Builders) Ltd, based in North East Lincolnshire, Carr is passionate about the …

The latest Builders Merchant Building Index report, published in April, shows builders’ merchants’ value sales were down -4.7% in February compared to the same month a year ago. Volume sales dropped -7.5%, while prices increased +3.1%. With an extra trading day this year, like-for-like sales were down -9.2%. Year-on-year, eight …

HSS Hire Group has reported a decline in its annual profit, due to higher costs, though it noted that 2023’s result still was its second best since it’s listing on the London Stock Exchange. It has also announced that its chief financial offer, Paul Quested, will depart in September; he …

The Encon Group opens its newest branch in North Shields, supplying customers in the region with total project solutions. Its new branch, Encon & Nevill Long North East, combines the company’s previous Newcastle and Washington branches into a larger site so customers can benefit from an extended range spanning all …

City Plumbing has launched 10 new Plastics Supercentres across the country; its centres will stock Wavin soil, waste and plastic plumbing products and drainage options, along with other brands. The new Plastics Supercentres will stock the full profile of everything needed to complete multiple new build units, in large quantities. …

The Builders Merchants Federation  has begun the launch process for a long-term sector awareness communications programme to raise the public’s knowledge and understanding of the building materials industry, positioning it as a vital, varied, vibrant sector with a wide range of career opportunities. With the strapline “Materially Different” and messaging encouraging people …

The Building Safety Act will bring about changes to culture on a scale never seen before, according to the CEO of Local Authority Building Control (LABC) in England and Wales. Lorna Stimpson, CEO of LABC) told a podcast hosted by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) that the Act addressed …

Chair of the Board of Travis Perkins PLC, Jasmine Whitbread, has announced her decision to step down as a director of the company and as chair. Whitbread will leave her role at the close of business on May 31 2024 when Jez Maiden, senior independent director, will take over the …