THE MONTH
Howarth Timber talks VAT and customs union with Hilary Benn MP
Independent timber and builders merchant Howarth Timber and Building Supplies welcomed Leeds Central MP, Hilary Benn, to its branch on Pontefract Lane, Leeds, to discuss issues affecting the supply chain and the wider West Yorkshire economy.
Benn, who chairs the House of Commons Brexit Committee, met Howarth’s area manager Ian Williams, who showed him the recent investments including the branch’s state-of-the-art Howarth At Home kitchen, bedroom and
bathroom showroom.
They also discussed how the 178-year old business is evolving to meet today’s construction challenge with managing director Nick Howarth and spoke about the impact of leaving the European Union without a customs’ agreement and, in particular, having to pay VAT upfront on imported timber and other materials. Benn said: “I was delighted to visit Howarth Timber today and learn of its contribution not
Naylor Industries completes investment programme
Barnsley-based construction materials manufacturer Naylor Industries has completed a transformational investment programme worth £14.8m. During the investment programme, the group built a £5m big pipe factory, opened by HRH the Duke of Kent in October 2017, relocated two group
businesses to newly purchased and modernised freehold sites at Barugh Green and Wombwell and acquired White’s, a complementary precast concrete business. Chief executive Edward Naylor said: “Following a long sequence of years of record-breaking turnover, we recognised the need to increase capacity and initiated
only to Leeds, but also to the wider Yorkshire economy. It was a pleasure to meet Assistant Branch Manager, Gary Smart, and his team, who help customers with their housing and home improvement projects. We need better quality and more affordable homes to help improve the lives of constituents”.
“I want to see a mutually- beneficial UK-EU customs agreement to help companies like Howarth Timber. Time is not on our side and with nine months left,
a transformational capital investment programme. “Not surprisingly, this
development work led to a pause in turnover growth in 2017- 18, although we managed to maintain sales at close to the previous year’s levels.”
future customs arrangements and other crucial elements affecting Yorkshire businesses have not been agreed by the Cabinet, or negotiated with the EU”. Howarth, said: “With Brexit negotiations underway and lots of questions still to be answered about the future of the UK building industry, this is a crucial time for builders’ merchants and tradespeople. These issues could have a significant impact on our business and our customers’ businesses.”
Local MP on emissions at EH Smith
Moray MP visits Keith Builders Merchants
Moray MP Douglas Ross visited KBM main branch and head office on 6th July. He met with Jeff Smith MD and fellow director Kevin Mitchell along with Graham Bolton BMF Regional Manager. During his visit, Smith gave a brief history of KBM and briefed Ross on further expansion plans for the Forres branch which will create more jobs.
Afterwards Ross said: “I really enjoyed my visit to the Keith branch and I’m grateful to Jeff for a very interesting meeting and tour. It was good to learn a little more about the business. It is always interesting to meet up with
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local businesses. It was good to hear about their expansion plans, it’s positive for Moray that this local firm is doing well and looking grow further, creating jobs and adding a further boost to the local economy, as well as serving the many customers they have here in Moray and further afield.”
Smith added: “It was a pleasure to meet Douglas and to find that MPs show a genuine interest in our development. As a business covering all of Moray KBM have always demonstrated a commitment to
community involvement through initiatives such as our community charity fund. We look forward to working with Douglas closely in the future to help maintain a socially responsible business.”
Independent Birmingham- based builders’ merchant EH Smith has told its local MP that reducing emissions and easing traffic congestion drove the decision to open a new branch in Birmingham city centre. Chairman John Parker told Roger Godsiff MP for Birmingham Hall Green that the new store in Brighton Road, Balsall Heath would lessen lorry movements around the city centre and allow builders shorter drives to collect their materials, as part of the company’s backing of the proposed Clean Air Zone in the city centre, set to come into operation in January 2020.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net August 2018
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