Builders' Merchants News

Construction investment 'essential to economic recovery'

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

LONDON: The Construction Products Association has written to the Chancellor ahead of his pre-Budget Report statement, urging him not to cut capital spending on construction projects, as this will jeopardise both the short-term economic recovery of the UK as well as its longer-term economic prospects.

Stanley to buy Black & Decker

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

US: Stanley Works has agreed to buy Black & Decker for about �2.7bn. The combination of the two largest US toolmakers in an all-stock transaction will cut costs by $350m a year, Bloomberg reports.

Travis lends a hand with gardens

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

DONCASTER: The Epworth branch of Travis Perkins donated materials to help bricklayer Mark Burley create a new community garden for residents at Mowbray Close.�

Quality scheme for processors of tyre-derived rubber

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

BANBURY: Processors of tyre-derived rubber materials will have the quality of their products approved by joining a certification scheme that demonstrates their compliance with a new Quality Protocol published today by the Waste Protocols Project � a joint WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and Environment Agency initiative.

�3.9m canal walk boosts local merchant

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

SWINDON: Travis Perkins is one of several local companies to benefit from a �3.9m canal walk project.

Ridgeons supports rock band charity

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

CAMBRIDGE: Ridgeons builders' merchant helped rock-band Soulweaver raised �800 for injured soldiers at a charity gig for football fans.

Merchants support asbestos campaign

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

LONDON: Merchant can expect increased sales of personal protective equipment by supporting the Health and Safety Executive's "Hidden Killer" asbestos campaign that runs for the next four weeks.

Merchants polarise on price

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

CHELTENHAM: Merchants divided into two camps in the face of price inflation: those willing to operate at lower margins and those avoiding less profitable contracts, said a report from MTW Research.

Merchant customers under tax threat

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

LONDON: A Treasury crackdown on tax-dodging by builders would penalise the genuinely self-employed, boost the black economy and increase construction costs, said critics opposed the latest initiatives aimed at tackling bogus self-employment.

FPB helps firms save money on merchant services

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

KNUTSFORD: The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is helping small businesses cut adrift by the providers of credit card merchant services or struggling with the cost of processing card payments.

Making business driving safer

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

LONDON: Driving for Better Business, a government-backed organisation set up to help cut road traffic accidents is campaigning to help firms meet their obligations to employees.

UK building still in recession

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

LONDON: The UK construction sector remained in recession during October according to data released today by the Construction Purchasing Managers' Index.

Construction continues to suffer as recession drags on

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

LONDON: Construction has been hit more severely than most other sectors and conditions deteriorated further during the third quarter of 2009, according to the latest Construction Trade Survey published today.

All change for Kent Blaxill

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

COLCHESTER: Kent Blaxill, the independent East Anglian buildings supplies company, has ann�ounced three senior management appointments as part of its ongoing strategy of investing to be ready for economic recovery.

AHEC in Athens

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

ATHENS: AHEC (American Hardwood Export Council) welcomed 150 delegates from around the world to its European Convention in Athens last week.

BDR Thermea approved by European Commission

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

DERBY: De Dietrich Remeha Group and Baxi Group announce the creation of BDR Thermea, a new company in climate and hot water solutions and services.

Wolseley backs the �Hidden Killer� campaign a second time

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

LEAMINGTON SPA: All of Wolseley�s UK businesses including Build Center, Plumb Center and Parts Center will again be showing their support for the HSE�s Asbestos �The Hidden Killer� campaign which begins on 2nd November and runs for four weeks.

Saint-Gobain PAM UK introduces new CD for specifiers

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

ILKESTONE: Saint-Gobain PAM UK, leading manufacturer of cast iron drainage systems, has launched an informative new CD to make the job of a specifier easier.

Gardens for schools

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

SWINDON: Local suppliers helped create a new garden at Grange Infants Community School in Delamere Drive, Stratton St Margaret.

Princess Royal witnesses the future of the construction industry

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

HALIFAX: HRH Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, recently visited i-plas to see an award winning recycled building material.

Travis chairman buys first shares

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

LONDON: Robert Walker, chairman-designate of Travis Perkins, bought his first shares in the builders' merchant.

Double delight for Worcester

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

WORCESTER: Worcester, Bosch Group has become the first company to win the �Boiler Manufacturer of the Year� Award twice in succession at the Gas Industry Awards Gala Ball, organised by Phoenix Natural Gas.

PTS welcomes new managing director

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

LUTTERWORTH: PTS has welcomed Kelvin Stevens to the role of managing director. For the past four years Mr Stevens has been managing director of F & P Wholesale, also part of the BSS Group�s domestic division, which has seen a period of unprecedented growth in sales and profitability.

Changes across the board at Gibbs and Dandy

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

LUTON: Michael Dandy has retired as managing director of builders� merchants Gibbs and Dandy after almost 30 years with the company, the last 23 of them as managing director.

Payment performance improves

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

NOTTINGHAM: September saw the biggest month-on-month improvement in business payment trends since December 2007, according to the latest Late Payment Index from Experian, the global information services company.

More rationalisation for merchants and buying groups

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

CHELTENHAM: Merchants across Europe can expect more rationalisation, according to the latest report from AMA research.

A clean workplace is key for good health

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

SHIPLEY: As cases of swine flu soar, workplace equipment provider Slingsby is being inundated with orders for products that will help to protect employees against the disease.

HSS adds plant equipment

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

LONDON: HSS Hire, the tool and equipment hire company, is adding a range of plant equipment to its fleet.

By extending its relationship with Irish partners Laois Hire, the company will offer diggers, dumpers, rollers, excavators and large booms and lifts.

Polypipe WMS hosts second SUDS seminar event

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

LOUGHBOROUGH: Polypipe Water Management Solutions (WMS), recently brought together engineers from civil engineering, construction and the public sector for its �SUDS: Planning for Change� free CPD seminar event.

MKM hosts one cuppa of an event

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

HULL: Building supplies specialist MKM held a coffee morning in branches nationwide on recently and succeeded in raising over �8500 for the charity � Macmillan Cancer Support.