News

Construction activity falls at fastest rate since May 2020

empty building site web

The UK’s construction sector recorded a fall in activity in December 2022, with the rate of decline the fastest since May 2020. New orders fell at the fastest rate for over two-and-a-half years and optimism for the year ahead dipped into negative territory for only the sixth time on record. …

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A final chance to join the Ride for Youth

IBC Bike Ride Social post 002

There are still a few spaces left to join the Construction Industry Ride for Youth and support the next generation of construction professionals. Between May 17-28, 2023, the Ride for Youth team of cyclists will be riding from Land’s End to John O’Groats, raising money for two wonderful youth charities …

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Rebrand brings together Alloway Timber & Putney Builders Merchants

ALLOWAY NEW LOGO copy

Alloway Timber has merged with its sister company Putney Builders Merchants (PBM) under one brand, Alloway Timber & Builders Merchants. The family-owned merchant will now have a simplified offer to customers, ensuring all products are available under one roof. Alloway Timber was founded in 1971 by Joe Alloway (senior) and …

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National Timber Group acquires NORclad

national timber grou

NORclad has become the latest specialist timber products business to join National Timber Group (NTG). This is the most recent in a series of acquisitions to further strengthen the Group’s position as the UK’s largest, independent, specialist timber processing and distribution group with a focus on value-added products. This announcement …

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Klober supports merchants with online learning platform

klober TrainingZone

Leading roofing accessories manufacturer, Klober has launched its Training Zone, now available for merchant teams. Developed in response to demand for manufacturer-led training and endorsed by BMI Group, the online learning platform offers on-demand courses, videos and other materials. It’s launch comes after Klober’s 2022 insights survey found that over …

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Sika supports local charity’s DIY SOS project

DIY SOS The Big Build Sika 002

Sika has donated its EB25 sealant and adhesive together with its PowerPro sealant guns as part of a life-changing transformation of the Getaway Girls charity’s new Leeds headquarters as featured recently on the BBC One series ‘DIY SOS: The Big Build’. Getaway Girls has been providing support and empowering girls …

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Tool advent calendar raises £2000 for children’s charity

Draper Tools present cheque and toys to Cash for Kids 002

Following the launch of its 2022 tool advent calendar, Draper Tools pledged to donate £1 from the sale of every calendar to the children’s charity, Cash for Kids. £2,000 was raised and it was recently presented to the charity alongside a bumper donation of toys and gifts for the charity’s …

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Toyota donation boosts flow of humanitarian aid to Ukraine

toyota forklift donation

Boxes of Hope, a humanitarian aid charity that was established to send food, clothing, medicine and other essential items to the people of Ukraine following the country’s invasion by Russia, has taken delivery of a vinyl-wrapped forklift truck donated free-of-charge by Toyota Material Handling (TMH) UK Ltd. The forklift – …

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Huws Gray and John Barnes surprise customer

John Barnes with winner Jonny at Huws Gray Bentham

Independent builders’ merchant, Huws Gray has given away a Grono pod worth £15,000 to one of their customers and football legend and competition ambassador John Barnes presented the prize to the winner. The competition has been open to all customers purchasing from any Huws Gray or Buildbase store throughout the …

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Cost of living concerns see showering surge

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More people in the UK are turning to showers rather than baths as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite. That’s according to research from shower manufacturer Triton, which says there this offers even more opportunity for merchants to emphasis the economic benefits of electric showers . The shower manufacturer’s latest survey of …

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