3.16 million
UK households are classed as ‘fuel poor’.
TIMCO sells to Bufab
TIMCO (TI Midwood & Co Limited), has sold to Bufab, a Swedish based C-Parts Supply Chain Partner for £54 million on a cash-free/debt-free basis. A performance-based additional payment may be made in 2023- 2024 conditional on operating profit.
TIMCO managing director Simon Midwood will continue to run the business with the senior team at TIMCO, which is based in Nantwich, Cheshire. The company reported a turnover of £49.7 million in 2020, and is expected to report a turnover
of approximately £60 million for 2021.
Johan Sandberg, Director Global Business Development and Group Director UK, says: “I am honoured and very happy to announce this acquisition, which
48% respondents to the CIPS PMI survey
expect business activity to improve
is the largest acquisition so far for Bufab. It is a significant and attractive add-on to our existing businesses in the UK. TIMCO is a very strong brand within C-parts (Screws, fasteners and fixings, nails etc) to the construction industry and will significantly improve Bufab’s customer offering in this market segment. “This strategic expansion in the UK market further underlines our commitment to grow and widen our offering in new market segments and we are confident that TIMCO will continue to grow and to keep its strong entrepreneurial DNA and excellent customer service also as a member of Bufab group.”
NBG calls for ‘pricing realism’ as inflation bites
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is forecasting an inflation peak of 9% this year which is driving material costs up along the length of the construction supply chain. Whilst able to accept reasonable cost pressure, National Buying Group (NBG) is increasingly concerned that price changes must be justified and be proportionate, with transparent detail to support any changes.
Nick Oates, managing director at National Buying Group, said: “We understand this is a very challenging market and that is being reflected in our negotiations.
However, there is a real danger that if prices increase too much, we will impact demand from the end consumer, which could ultimately kill the market. We need to spread the inflationary impact across the supply chain.” “For the merchant, passing price increases on to the end user is increasingly more challenging, because they must also factor in the greatly increased cost of delivery onto any product price changes.” “Merchants are arguably the most vulnerable portion of the supply chain to this ‘double squeeze’ from both material and
NMBS & BMF join forces to support smaller merchants
NMBS has partnered with the BMF to create the NMBS Kick- Start Growth & Development Scheme. The scheme is designed to help NMBS’ smaller members to join the BMF for the first time, and it is available to any business with an annual turnover of less than £2m. The NMBS grant will cover the full cost of BMF membership for the first 12 months of a two-year annual subscription.
The second year’s fees will be
paid by the member company, and they will receive a discount on the BMF’s subscription rates. Chris Hayward, managing director of NMBS, said: “NMBS is committed to supporting the trade association activities of the BMF and equally committed to supporting the growth and development of our independent merchant members.
“We see real value in the BMF’s services to merchants, suppliers and indeed the whole industry
April 2022
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
fuel pricing. In effect, merchants must find an extra circa 5% on top of the increase in material prices to cover the cost of delivery.” “We’re asking Suppliers to be
reasonable about when they ask for price increases. If a Supplier is sitting on many months of stock, there is no need to ask for a price increase today. “Secondly, prices need to be
more dynamic and reactive to commodity price changes. When commodity prices come down, Suppliers need to react as quickly as when they go up. That is only fair.”
and identified the opportunities this would provide to our smaller members.
“Requiring them to commit to two year’s membership of the BMF is an important element of the Kick-Start scheme. By encouraging the level of engagement that comes with long-term membership they will be able to fully explore and experience the BMF’s wide range of training and support services that can make a tangible difference to developing their business, which in turn may also enhance their trading relationship with NMBS.”
£41k donated by BMF Members to the DEC
humanitarian appeal in the first month
City Plumbing opens new branch
City Plumbing Supplies has opened a new branch in Winsford, Cheshire. The branch will cater to plumbers, heating engineers, bathroom installers and electricians. It also features a stand-alone showroom, The Bathroom Showroom.
Paul Glover, Winsford branch manager, said: “With experienced staff on hand to offer expert advice and support across heating, plumbing, bathrooms and electrical, we are delighted to be able to offer a one-stop- shop for local tradespeople in and around Winsford. The Bathroom Showroom on site will also help local homeowners create their ideal bathrooms.” The Winsford Branch is located at Unit 3 Artis Park, Road One, Winsford Industrial Park, CW7 3QE
l The Highbourne Group, owner of City Plumbing Supplies, has acquired Policy Administration Business (PAB) Systems. The PAB system has a comprehensive boiler database with detailed fault code information about every boiler ever made and manufactured, and any required spare parts needed to remedy that fault.
The acquisition will enable City Plumbing to launch a diagnostic fault-finding service later this year – a subscription-based fault diagnostic service that will utilise PAB’s data and services to assist customers to diagnose faults quickly, improve first-time fix rates, and quickly source the spares they need through City Plumbing’s 370-strong branch network.
7
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
