THE MONTH


Sharma heaps praise on UK construction industry


Merritt & Fryers buys Briggs & Duxbury


Skipton builders merchants Merritt & Fryers Ltd. have acquired Briggs & Duxbury in Barnoldswick in a positive development for both long- established family firms.


The good news comes at a timely moment for the Barnoldswick community which has been rocked by the decision of Rolls- Royce to pull out of the East Lancashire town. Rachel Fryers, a spokesperson for Merritt & Fryers, explains “We are delighted to be bringing our two firms together under the Merritt & Fryers brand at this time. We plan to retain jobs


A letter sent from the Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP to industry organisations has praised the whole construction industry for the way it has stepped up to the challenges that 2020 has set. In the letter, Sharma says: “During this difficult Autumn, I want to pay tribute to you and express my admiration for all the work you are doing. Whether working on large or small construction sites, in peoples’ homes across the country, in builders’ merchants, designing and project managing schemes or producing construction and mineral products, you are making an invaluable contribution in supporting the economy. To ensure the construction industry operates safely the CLC has developed a range of guidance relating to social distancing, use of PPE and face coverings, the safe operation of site canteens, the safe operation of builders merchants, the use of public and private transport to work, and the use of temporary accommodation for workers, amongst other important matters, all of which are covered in the following and are available on the CLC website.


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Above: (L-R) Robert Fryers, Rachel Fryers, Paul Fryers, Mark Brennand, Scott Payne


for all the existing staff and will be looking to develop the business further.”


Established in 1909, Briggs &


Duxbury history has remarkable parallels with that of Merritt & Fryers. Both firms started out as builders and funeral directors before becoming builders merchants. The funeral directors division of Briggs & Duxbury will remain under that name, with the builders merchants business re- branded to Merritt & Fryers Limited over the coming months in a gradual integration.


Mark Brennand of Briggs & Duxbury said “We share the same values and background as family businesses with expertise and customer service central to our success, so we are confident that this transition is a great opportunity and definitely great news for our employees and the Barnoldswick community”.


Huws Gray buys in Bradford and Keighley Acquisitive independent Wales-based builders’


merchants, Huws Gray, has bought Bradford-based Uriah Woodhead & Son, and its sister branch, Nelsons of Keighley, as part of the merchant’s ambitious expansion plans.


The 154 year old Uriah Woodhead & Son has been run by five generations of the same family. Matthew Owen, head of acquisitions for Huws Gray said: “The acquisition of Uriah Woodhead & Son and Nelsons of Keighley, marks our commitment to grow Huws Gray in West Yorkshire and beyond. We are truly optimistic for what the future holds and excited to acquire a company whose history, reputation and great customer


Bradfords campaign wins big at marketing awards


Independent builders merchant Bradfords Building Supplies has won a hat-trick of awards at the online Construction Marketing Awards 2020.


Bradfords’ ‘We’ve Got Your Back’ campaign scooped victory in the categories for Best Use of Advertising, Best Distributor Marketing and Best Big Budget Campaign. Launched in May, Bradfords’ campaign was in response to the essential work being carried out by tradespeople across the region during the pandemic. The Construction Marketing Awards showcase the construction industry’s creativity, innovation and effectiveness in marketing.


service is at the forefront of what they do.” Paul Jaggar, director of Uriah Woodhead & Son, added: “We are pleased to be the latest acquisition by Huws Gray. With their passion and vision, we know that they will drive the business forward and that the future looks exciting for all those involved.”


This acquisition is the second in West Yorkshire in a month for Huws Gray, after the purchase of Milford Building Supplies in Leeds. As they join existing branches in Bradford, Heckmondwike and Horbury Bridge, Market Weighton and Burnley, this acquisition significantly strengthens the company’s presence in the county.


County adds another branch in Cheltenham Independent builders merchant County Building


Supplies opened a new branch in Cheltenham last month. The new site will specialise in heavy building materials and plumbing and heating supplies and be a ‘collect’ branch for customers. Director Martyn Rees says the location of the branch will be a real benefit for trades customers in Cheltenham, for whom travel across the town is getting increasingly difficult with traffic levels. Due to business growth, County Building Supplies has already taken on 12 new members of staff this year and has created further opportunities for local people with the opening of the new branch. He says: “The expansion of our business is something we are really proud of; not only are we opening yet another branch, but we have been in the fantastic position of needing to take on more staff.”


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net December 2020


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