NEWSROUND


Government announces plans to launch 32 new Homebuilding Skills Hubs


The government has announced plans to launch 32 new


Homebuilding Skills Hubs by 2028, aimed at fast-tracking training in key construction trades.


The hubs will provide training in trades such as bricklaying, roofing, plastering, scaffolding, electrical work, and carpentry. The initiative will create 5,000 additional construction apprenticeship places


each year, backed by a £140m investment.


Minister for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith, said: “This government is committed to building 1.5 million homes during this Parliament. To meet this target, we need a skilled workforce, and these hubs will give apprentices the skills they need to seize opportunities and


Tobermore invests


Irish landscaping materials


manufacturer Tobermore has announced a £12


million expansion plan to meet rising demand for hard landscaping products; its investment includes an £8 million new production facility and £4 million for job creation.


To address short-term needs, Tobermore has increased night shifts. The new 3,000m² factory will produce over 1 million m² of paving blocks annually, increasing production by 25%. The state-of-the- art facility will feature advanced manufacturing technology to ensure the company can deliver high- quality products at speed, helping meet the demand for both walling and landscaping products. This will allow Tobermore to fulfil orders even at short notice.


Archwood Group receives King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development


Timber product manufacturer Archwood Group, has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2024.


The prestigious accolade was presented by the Lord- Lieutenant of Clwyd, Henry George Fetherstonhaugh OBE, at a ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Chirk, North Wales. Local dignitaries, including the mayor and councillors, attended to celebrate Archwood Group’s commitment to sustainability.


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build a successful career.” These purpose-built hubs will offer a realistic working environment to apprentices, with fast-track programmes that can be completed in just 12 to 18 months. The goal is to address skills shortages in regions with the highest demand for housing, ensuring employers have access to a skilled workforce.


MacBlair opens new Lurgan branch


MacBlair has celebrated the grand opening of its


new Lurgan branch at Quarry Business Park, Lurgan, Northern Ireland.


The company, which operates 19 branches across the province, relocated from its previous site in Seagoe, where it had been operating since 2000. The upgraded branch now offers an expanded shop and warehouse.


The new facility boasts an extended product range, including a newly introduced plumbing section, a doors and floors showroom, and a paint mixing service.


CEO Karol McGuckin and Branch Manager Keith Hamilton officiated the opening, which included an event for staff, customers, and guests. The first 50 customers were welcomed with complimentary gift.


St Andrews Timber & Building Supplies expands HSS offering


St Andrews Timber & Building Supplies expands offering with HSS partnership The company’s first collaboration of its kind sees a dedicated HSS


counter located at its West Lothian base in Livingston from this week which is open to both the trade and public.


With the equipment stored at the firm’s expansive Livingston premises, customers can collect everything from mini-diggers and cement mixers to stihl saws, power tools and dehumidifiers six days a week. If bigger plant options are not available on site, they will be delivered to customers within a day.


NEWS BRIEF


IN


Government continues Warm Homes Plan rollout


Up to 300,000 households will benefit from home upgrades over the next year as the government announces new measures to help reduce energy bills and deliver cleaner heating.


The plans include increasing the budget for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to support more households in switching to heat pumps, which can save families around £100 annually when used with a smart tariff. news/help-to-save-households-


James Latham rebrands Dresser Mouldings to Latham Timber Manufacturing James Latham, the UK’s leading independent distributor of timber, panels, and decors, has announced the rebranding of its Rochdale- based timber mouldings and cladding specialist, Dresser Mouldings, to Latham Timber Manufacturing (LTM). This rebrand marks a


significant milestone in the James Latham Group’s strategic goal of aligning all its subsidiaries under a unified family of brands, creating a cohesive offering that spans the entire distribution services supply chain.


James Latham acquired Dresser in 2019 in response to the increasing demand for machined mouldings and cladding, a trend that has continued to grow. Over the past five years, the business has strengthened its reputation for quality, creativity, and consistency, collaborating with high-profile clients to develop decorative and finishing solutions across a diverse range of sectors.


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net December 2024


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