News

On World Environment Day 2025, heavy building materials manufacturer Forterra celebrated the presence of a vulnerable butterfly species, the Dingy Skipper, at the company’s Kirton Brickworks site in Nottinghamshire. Forterra has worked with ecologists since 2007 to monitor and manage biodiversity across several of its sites across the country. At …

Wetrooms International Group, the Scottish-based specialist supplier of PVC bathroom ceiling and wall panels, has completed a deal to become employee-owned. Brothers Brian and Bill Crombie, who founded the business in 2005, have retained a 26% share and will continue to play key roles in the business as it continues …

Builders merchant Travis Perkins plc, has announced a new operating structure for the group’s specialist merchant businesses.  Catherine Gibson takes on the newly created role of specialist merchants managing director, reporting to the group CEO as part of the group’s leadership team. Gibson will oversee new and dedicated leadership teams …

James Burrell  is set to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2027, but this year, the builders merchant has highlighted four long-serving team members due to their combined years of service exceeding the age of the company. Together, Mark Richardson, Caroline, Michael Fahey, and Chris Abbott have dedicated a total of …

UK-based Lawsons Group are marking their first Fair Tax week (8th to 15th June 2025) having been the first ever building materials merchant to be awarded the Fair Tax Mark, the gold standard of responsible tax conduct, earlier this year. Fair Tax Week is an opportunity for businesses to step …

Sureena Brackenridge, MP for Wolverhampton North East visited Walsall Wheelbarrows last Friday (May 30)  to see how the family-owned company, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, has evolved to embrace automation in the West Midlands. Brackenridge was welcomed by Simon Thacker (sales director), Tom Fisher (sales manager) and Tony Rrapaj …

Plumbing and heating merchant City Plumbing has launched ElecStore, a dedicated electrical brand available at its branches nationwide. As the boundaries between plumbing, heating, and electrical work continue to blur, the launch of ElecStore marks a significant step forward in City Plumbing’s support of multi-skilled trades. Recent research by the …

The downturn in the UK construction sector showed signs of easing in May, according to the latest S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI®). Output and new orders both fell at the slowest pace since January, while growth projections for the year ahead improved again. Employment remained weak, with …

Building materials producer Siniat is to formally take design responsibility for the system information and standard details it issues, marking a significant shift in accountability for construction risk and specification. Research by Siniat found that 65% of contractors say that the cascading of risk and liability is placing them under …

The 2025 BMJ Industry Awards are now open for voting at www.bmjindustryawards.co.uk/vote. The people and companies listed below have been nominated for inclusion by their peers, colleagues, customers and even competitors. The finalists list will be published Once you have cast your vote for your favourites in as many categories …