News

Brick maker Forterra has dispatched the first load of bricks from its new Desford factory in Leicestershire, the biggest and most efficient manufacturing plant in Europe. The company has invested £95 million into future-proofing the factory to achieve outstanding overall equipment effectiveness while upgrading production capacity to 185 million bricks …

Independent Merchant, James Burrell is continuing its investment into Yorkshire with a six-figure renovation of its York branch. The purpose of the renovation is to further evolve the high levels of customer service, improve the customer facilities and increase the stock range available. The branch, which opened in 1997 serves …

New research from Direct Line business insurance has found that three quarters (74 per cent) of tradespeople have upskilled themselves, enabling them to install green technology for clients. This comes as eight-in-ten (79 per cent) have seen increasing demand from people to install greener technology in their homes. As a …

More than 280 exhibitors at this year’s National Merchant Buying Society exhibition welcomed 558 independent merchant member companies and 1,084 visitors through the Coventry Building Society Arena doors on 19 and 20 April. Chris Hayward, chief executive officer at NMBS, said: “The 55th NMBS Exhibition was our most successful show yet, …

Sustainability and the reduction of packaging waste was high on the agenda of UFEMAT’s 63rd European Building Materials Conference, attended by over 100 builders’ merchants, building materials manufacturers delegates representing from 12 different countries. This year’s Conference took the theme “A Vision for Success” and John Newcomb, the current UFEMAT …

Trade kitchen supplier Howdens has opened the doors to its 800th UK depot in the town of Rowley Regis, West Midlands. The opening comes after Howdens recently expanded operations into the Republic of Ireland, opening five depots last year, as well as continued operations in France where the company has …

KBB distributors PJH has acquired a new purpose-built distribution centre in Wolverhampton, intending to relocate the entire current Cannock operation. Located just 8.3 miles from the existing site, the new Wolverhampton Distribution Centre will be purpose built to PJH’s specification.  With a sq. ft. of 200,000, the new site is …

Construction output is forecast to fall from a record-high level and contract by 6.4% in 2023 according to the CPA’s Spring Forecasts. This is a downgrade from a fall of 4.7% expected in the Winter, driven primarily by sharp falls in the two largest construction sectors – private new housing …

The Government’s Plan for Water is misguided and could waste a huge amount of government money. That’s according to Unified Water Label Association managing director Yvonne Orgill. The comments were made following the launch of the plan by environment secretary Therese Coffey and water minister Rebecca Pow. Orgill said: “These …

Toolstation colleague Fiona Staples will be participating in Macmillan Cancer Support’s Brave the Shave campaign to help raise money for people whose lives have been affected by cancer. Staples, who currently works in the Contact Centre at Toolstation’s Head Office in Bridgwater, will be shaving her head in front of …