NEWSNEWS


Beijer Ref to unite UK and Ireland wholesale operations


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eijer Ref is to consolidate its UK and Ireland wholesale businesses under two unifi ed brands: Beijer Ref UK and Beijer Ref Ire. The company has operated multiple wholesale


brands independently since acquiring Dean & Wood (2004), RW in 2011, DWG in 2012, and HRP (2016). Over time, operational synergies have emerged across logistics, technical support, fi nance, and training academies. A key step


came in 2020, when external sales teams were unifi ed into sector-specifi c specialists focused on refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. The next phase will see the remaining


operations merged into the new brand structure, aiming to streamline processes, enhance customer support, and improve effi ciency. Some branches will be consolidated into larger stockholding and distribution centres as part of the transition.


Hayley Cattell, Managing Director, commented:


“The consolidation of our successful wholesale operations into Beijer Ref marks the next stage in our ambitious growth plans. Our existing team is committed and enthusiastic about the exciting future ahead of them.” The unifi cation process is already underway, with teams preparing for a fully integrated Beijer Ref presence across the UK and Ireland.


Research exposes critical gap between building safety awareness and action


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new report from the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) reveals a signifi cant disconnect between industry


awareness of the Building Safety Act and the practical steps being taken to comply with it. The Association’s second annual survey, conducted in partnership with Barbour ABI, found that while 78% of respondents identifi ed building safety as a top organisational priority, only half believed they had done enough to meet compliance requirements. The report, Turning Awareness into Action, highlights persistent challenges across the sector, particularly among smaller fi rms. Just 39% of micro and small businesses were aware of the Act and its implications, and one in fi ve respondents who were aware admitted they remained unclear


about their legal responsibilities. Respondents called for urgent improvements in guidance, training, and enforcement. Many criticised clients for prioritising cost and speed over safety, with several urging regulators to impose real penalties for non-compliance. The fi ndings were unveiled at BESA’s annual


conference and will inform the Association’s ongoing support for members and the wider sector. Resources are available via BESA’s Building Safety Hub, with further tools and a new Clients’ Guide to the Building Safety Act due later this year.


BESA is also collaborating with the Building Safety Regulator’s Industry Competence Steering Groups to develop sector-specifi c frameworks and address delays at planning gateways.


UK heat pump sector to launch unifi ed trade body in 2026 I


n a major step forward for the UK’s low- carbon heating industry, the Heat Pump Association (HPA), Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA), and Heat Pump Federation (HPF) have confi rmed plans to merge into a single trade body: Heat Pump Association UK (HPA UK). The new organisation will offi cially launch in January 2026, providing unifi ed representation and streamlined governance for the sector. The merger refl ects the sector’s growing maturity and strategic importance in supporting the UK’s energy transition. Heating accounted for


around 25% of UK carbon emissions in 2023, and accelerating the deployment of heat pumps and low-carbon heat networks is seen as critical to reducing emissions and enhancing energy security. HPA UK will off er:


■ Unifi ed representation to government and industry stakeholders


■ Clearer messaging and increased visibility for heat pump technologies


■ Enhanced member services and simplifi ed governance


■ A single point of contact for collaboration across the sector.


To mark the transition, the HPA is off ering free membership for the remainder of 2025 to new members who commit to joining for the 2026 calendar year.


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