NEWSROUND
Construction PMI dips but industry remains optimistic
House building is still the weakest-performing part of the construction sector, which saw business activity expanding at the slowest pace since last June, while new order growth slowed-up for the third month running. That’s according to the latest S&P Construction Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI). The headline S&P Global UK
Construction PMI registered 53.3 in December, down from 55.2 in November and the lowest for six months, although the index has been above the crucial 50.0 no- change value since March 2024, and the latest survey still shows a solid upturn in overall construction output.
Commercial activity was the fastest-growing area at 55.0,
Tippers buys three BPS branches
Tippers, the family-run independent Midlands-based builders’ merchant, has acquired three branches from independent builders merchant BPS (Building & Plumbing Supplies), based in Leamington Spa. The three branches, located in Bidford, Shipston, and Southam, are the next step in Tippers’ journey of growth and commitment to serving the local building community. This acquisition represents a transition “from one family to another,” ensuring that these branches remain part of a family-run, independent builders’ merchant. By keeping the business independent, Tippers can continue to prioritise the long-term interests of the staff team in order to deliver the fantastic service that our local customer relationships are built on.
The New Year will bring new stock ranges alongside investment in the premises and staff team ready for 2025. A spokesman for Tippers says that the company extends a “warm welcome to the staff and customers at Bidford, Shipston, and Southam. We look forward to continuing the proud tradition of long-term investment in our branches
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followed by civil engineering at 52.9, although both sectors had slowed since November. Residential work was again the only category to register an overall decline in output during December at 47.6. House building activity has now decreased for three consecutive months and the latest drop was the sharpest since June 2024.
CBA members to join Fortis
The following independent builders merchant companies, currently members of the Combined Buying Association (CBA) are joining Fortis from January 1 2025: James Burrell, Robert Price, Tippers and John A Stephens.
Their integration will take place gradually and on an individual basis during Q1 2025.
Thompson & Leigh lands Drakes’ pre-pack deal
Kent-based independent plumber & heating merchant and bathroom showroom business Thompson and Leigh has bought fellow independent plumbers merchant business Drakes Plumbing Supplies Ltd. in a pre- pack deal from administrators Quantuma.
and our teams to offer a personalised and independent service to the building and construction community for many years to come.” The sale will allow BPS to concentrate on its new plans for developing its business in Leamington Spa, said managing director John Dibble. “This transition marks an exciting new chapter for BPS. Focusing our resources on our Leamington Spa Super Centre on Tachbrook Park Drive enables us to provide an even greater level of service and support to the local community. We are proud of our long-standing heritage and are excited to invest further in our future here. Our best wishes to our friends and ex-colleagues at Tippers.”
Established in 1916, Tippers now operates a network of 14 branches across the region, maintaining its commitment to providing outstanding service and support to its customers.
Founded in 1983, Drakes has seven plumbing and heating counters, six of which also have bathroom showrooms, across Kent and East Sussex. Thompson & Leigh have branches in Dartford, Crayford and Bexleyheath, comprising two trade counters and two 4000sq foot bathroom showrooms.
Director Ian Thompson said: “We look forward to working with the staff to fulfill the full potential of all the Drakes’ branches. We achieve this through greater stock diversification, improved service, up-to-date e-commerce, showroom upgrades and specialist centres.
“We would like to thank David Aisher and Robert Hartman of Drakes, the administrators Quantuma, and IBB Law for their help in making the acquisition possible.”
Drakes will continue to trade under its own name as a part of Thompson & Leigh.
Former Shadow Minister backs BMF concerns over taxation proposals
Gordon Banks, a former Labour Shadow Minister has joined fellow members of the Builders Merchants Federation to raise concerns with Government over the impact of proposed changes to business taxation.
Banks, who served as an MP for Ochil
and South Perthshire from 2005 to 2015, including as a Shadow Minister for Business and then Scotland, is a Director of Cartmore Building Supplies, a BMF member, which has its headquarters in Fife. In an extract from his letter to the Prime Minister, Banks says: “I appreciate you are looking for UK businesses to lead us out of the economic quagmire we have been locked in. However burdening the very businesses you need to grow the economy, with these additional tax burdens, appears to me to simply mean that your plan will fail spectacularly.”
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net January 2025
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