2.8% construction industry growth in 2022,


forecast by the Construction Products Association.


Bosworth MP returns to Forterra’s Desford site Forterra has welcomed back MP


for Bosworth, Dr Luke Evans, to its Desford site which is currently undergoing a £95 million expansion. Once complete, it is set to be the largest and most efficient brick facility in Europe. During the visit, Dr Evans was given a tour of the factory and shown the progress that has been made since the project started in 2019 and his previous visit two years ago.


6.8% rise in UK house prices in


the past 18 months


throughout construction and maintain production during the changeover. The work is expected to complete later this year, at which point the projected capacity will increase by 16% to 180 million bricks per annum, enough to build 24,000 family homes.


The new factory is being built alongside the old site in order to ensure that the latter remains operational


James Burrell celebrates 145 years of trading


Dr Evans said: “I first visited Forterra’s Desford site about 18 months ago and I’m pleased to see how well construction on the facility has come since then. They have put a phenomenal amount of money into the Desford site and the project has brought lots of high-skilled jobs to our area.”


Lords opens new-look in Beaconsfield


Lords Builders Merchants has opened its newly refurbished branch in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, as part of its programme of investment and expansion. The refurbished branch brings a range of new services and improved customer facilities.


James Burrell Builders Merchants celebrated its 175th anniversarty in JUne, with a range of initiarives across the company, including social media competitions, voucher giveaways, trade offer deals and charitable donations, plus a trade day across all 10 branches on June 29.


The family-ran business’ 11th


branch, located in Billingham, will open in September following an investment of £4.5m.


Mark Richardson, managing director, said: “145 years of trading is an impressive achievement. Our success wouldn’t be possible without the James Burrell staff and customers both past and present.”


Kent Blaxill acquires Paint & Paper Ltd


East Anglian based builders merchant Kent Blaxill has acquired Norwich-based decorators merchant [paint & Paper Ltd. Kent Blaxill managing director James Park, said: “We are delighted to have completed this acquisition for our growing decorating, glass and building centre group. Paint & Paper Ltd was established in 1995 and specialised in designer wallpaper and paint, and the first stockist of Farrow & Ball. The history, reputation and ethos of the company will be in safe hands within KB. It is our intention to keep what we see as an important brand name within the industry. It signals a new era for Paint & Paper Ltd and it will continue to trade under this name with all its current staff retained.”


July 2022 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


This includes a bathroom showroom, extensive decorating centre, 3D bathroom and kitchen design services, Lords Plumbing & Heating division, Advance Roofing outlet, and HSS Hire counter. Reina Reeves, branch manager, said: “We are pleased to open our improved store in Beaconsfield with an extended service and product range. Many thanks to everyone for their patience during the construction works. We are looking forward to welcoming them at the new store.”


23.8%


OBITUARY John Cureton


It is with


great sadness that BMJ has to announce that John Cureton, former


Managing


Director and co-owner of AW Lumb, has passed away after a brave fight against cancer. Director Gavin McTee, who worked with John from leaving school, said: “John served A W Lumb for forty- seven years and was the backbone of the company. He treated staff, customers and suppliers with honesty, fairness and respect whilst also believing suppliers were as important to the company as staff and customers. He will be missed around the industry as he was hugely popular and a respected person.


“For us, the staff, he was so much more than an MD. He was a father figure to us all, an ear when advice was needed and had a fabulous, relaxed wisdom about him. He stood by us all through difficult periods of our lives without hesitation. His loss has hurt the company and us personally. “From us all at A W Lumb at both Tamworth and Dewsbury we send our love and condolences to his wife Jane and his son Ed.


“If there is one thing John will be remembered for it will be his pride in A W Lumb as a business and how it performed and often outperformed others in the marketplace.” John Cureton led the management buyout of AW Lumb in May 2017 and led the company until it was sold to Lords Group earlier this year. BMJ’s sympathies and thoughts are with the family and the AW Lumb staff.


increase in construction material imports to the UK in Q1 2022


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