Daikin facility receives Factory of the Future award from Belgian technology federations, Agoria and Sirris.


Huws Gray fined £2.2m for mill conveyor death


Builders merchant Huws Gray has been fined £2.2m following the death of its employee Paul Coulson. The 56 year-old was crushed to death by a pallet of timber after a colleague started a conveyor, not realising that Coulson had climbed inside to remove plastic packaging from a pallet.


An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that the company had previously identified employees were accessing the danger zone and placed signs


warning them not to do so. However, CCTV analysis revealed that between April 14 and May 23 2024, operatives entered the framework of the conveyor on 19 different occasions.


The measures introduced to reduce the risk include guarding the conveyor to prevent access, changing the system of work so that pallets are unwrapped before entering the conveyor, and more CCTV being installed to allow all angles to be seen by operators.


Lawson gifts majority control to independent ethical trust


Family shareholders of Lawsons Group have transferred 51% of Lawsons Holdings Limited into an independent ethical trust, as a gift with no cash consideration. The gift was made by chairman John Lawson, 93, who has led the business for 70 years and previously


Travis Perkins relocates East London branch


Travis Perkins has opened its Leytonstone branch on Joseph Ray Road, moving from its previous home on Rick Roberts Way, Stratford.


The new branch, at three acres,


is more than three times the size of its previous location, and includes a brand new Benchmarx Kitchens & Joinery showroom, as well as an expanded Hire service. Regional director at Travis Perkins, Daniel McCafferty, said:


“The move to this new site opens a much greater opportunity to service tradespeople in the heart of East London.


“The increase in space means the quantity and variety of products we have on site give our customers a fantastic choice”


The branch is open from 7am–5pm Monday to Friday and 8am–12pm on Saturday.


April 2026 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


held a 50% shareholding. By returning his ownership to an independent ethical trust, Lawson has given up completely any personal financial gain to ensure Lawson’s founding values can never be diluted, sold, or overridden.


The trust will be overseen by five trustees: John Lawson, Simon Lawson, Andrew Henshaw, Ciaran Morton and Chris Harrison. l Lawsons has purchased an additional freehold site adjacent to its existing builders’ merchant


Heating manufacturer Grant UK has marked 30 years since the company was established.


Keylite acquires Em.glaze and Ray.lux flat glass rooflight ranges from Whitesales.


Huws Gray Limited pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 Section 2(1). The company was fined £2.2 million and ordered to pay full costs of £9,929 at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on the 26 March 2026. HSE inspector Joanne Williams said “This was a staggering failure that has cost a man his life, and the scale of the fine handed down reflects the gravity of this case. “Had Huws Gray Ltd taken robust action when they became aware of the problem, Paul Coulson would be alive today. Our thoughts will always remain with his family and friends for the loss they have suffered.”


Huws Gray


Partnership Solutions supports Soha Housing


NEWS IN BRIEF


PDM Huws Gray Inverness investment Builders’ merchant Huws Gray has announced a significant investment in its Inverness branch. The investment in the dual- branded PDM and Huws Gray site, sees the firm offer the largest, entirely covered, drive-through timber and sheet materials facility in the region.


PJH and Fibo


celebrate anniversary Bathroom distributor PJH is celebrating the first anniversary of its exclusive distribution partnership with Norwegian wall panel specialist Fibo.


Soha Housing and Huws Gray Partnership Solutions have joined forces to transform social housing association Soha Housing’s repairs service.


Soha serves 8000 homes in and around South Oxfordshire and neighbouring districts and counties and in 2025.


Working with Huws Gray Partnership Solutions, the dedicated public sector division of the Huws Gray Group, Soha Response, the associations ‘in-house’ repairs service, now includes 35 reactive repair operatives working in tenants’ homes and 15 void operatives preparing empty properties for new residents. Managing director of Soha Response, Beau Rickerby, explained: “I can’t speak highly enough of the Huws Gray Partnership Solutions team.


“They’ve developed a deep understanding of our business and shown commercial flexibility when responding to challenges. That strong working relationship is the cornerstone of a successful partnership.”


The partnership combines Fibo’s design-led wall panel technology with PJH’s nationwide logistics infrastructure, giving retailers, installers and merchants access to a comprehensive portfolio of more than 200 SKUs, including wall panels, profiles and accessories.


Polypipe invest in Aylesford site Polypipe Building Services has enhanced efficiency, productivity and sustainability through a major programme of automation investment at its production facility in Aylesford.


Recent investment include £1.5 million in automation technology, alongside further investment of £3 million in moulding machinery and £2.5 million in extrusion technology.


Howdens launches Proud to Fit campaign


Howdens, the trade kitchen supplier, has launched Proud to Fit, a new campaign celebrating local tradespeople across the UK. The campaign features real tradespeople and customers of Howdens, and celebrates their skills and dedication to achieving the best for their clients.


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