NEWSROUND
Construction slows up in June
UK construction activity in June expanded at the weakest pace for nine months and new orders increased to the smallest extent since last October. That’s according to the S&P Global / CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) – which measures month-on-month changes in total industry activity. Worries about the near- term economic outlook led to a sharp decline in business expectations for the year ahead. Growth projections are now the least upbeat since July 2020.
At 52.6 in June, down from 56.4 in May, Index registered above the 50.0 no-change mark for the seventeenth consecutive month. Yet, the latest reading signalled only a moderate increase in construction output and the slowest rate of expansion since September 2021. Civil engineering was the most resilient sub-sector in June (index at 54.3, down only slightly from 55.5 in May). A similarly strong increase in business activity was seen in the commercial segment, but the rate of growth eased sharply since May to the slowest so far in 2022 (index at 54.3, down from 59.8). House building was the weakest-performing area of construction activity for the fourth month running in June. Moreover, the latest index reading of 49.3 signalled an overall downturn in residential work for the first time since May 2020. June data pointed to a solid rise in total new orders, but the rate of expansion softened to its weakest since October 2021.
6 Intact buys Blue Rock Systems
Intact has acquired UK-based software house, Blue Rock Systems. Intact CEO, Justin Lawless, said: “The acquisition of Blue Rock Systems is part of Intact’s strategy to become the leading provider of ERP and business software solutions in the merchant and distribution sector. This important development adds to our strong customer base and involves a team of highly skilled individuals, with deep software industry expertise, who will enhance customer service and support our growth plans.” Blue Rock Systems’ full team has
last year, returning double digit profit growth. Its 43 staff and senior management are all vastly experienced in the software industry and, working collaboratively as part of Intact, will add immense value to our product and service offering.”
been retained as part of the deal, which will see Intact employee numbers increase from 200 to 243 across Ireland and the UK. Lawless added: “Blue Rock Systems grew revenue 30%
Former Prime Minister opens Scotland’s largest landscaping display
to new premises in May 2021, we wanted to ensure ours was state-of- the-art. We are very proud and honoured that Gordon was able to officially declare it open for business.
“Our continued
upwards trajectory would not have
Former UK PM Gordon Brown has opened the new landscaping display at Cartmore Building Supply Co Ltd in Lochgelly. l Gordon Banks, director and co-founder of Cartmore, said: “Having a display like this is fundamental for any landscaping business, and after we moved
been possible without our involvement with NBG. Being an NBG Partner is a crucial part of our business model, as it allows us to compete at the top table with nationals when it comes to pricing. We look forward to our future in collaboration with NBG.”
City Plumbing launches delivery notifications service
City Plumbing has launched a new delivery notifications service. Available to all customers
that purchase products both in branch and via the City Plumbing website, the new system will notify customers by text with a one-hour window of when
the delivery will be made to their home, business address or customer’s site. Customers will also be able to track where their order is on its journey to the delivery address, giving them even more visibility and reassurance that their orders are on the way.
Blue Rock Systems was formed in March 2005 by managing director, George Troullis, sales director, Glen Jewell, and Lance Norton, commercial director. Troullis will oversee the business incorporation, complementing the Intact senior leadership team.
Russell invests to future-proof its manufacturing
Two years in the planning, pitched roof tile manufacturer, Russell Roof Tiles (RRT) has officially unveiled a new £2m upgraded utility plant at its 11-acre site at Lochmaben, Scotland. The investment allows the manufacturer to continue to meet the high level of demand for its tiles. The project was started in 2020 but both construction and machinery was delayed due to the impacts of Covid-19. The new facility uses the latest robotic technology – the firm’s first robotic packer - from Vortex Hydra which will both improve production speeds, efficiencies and futureproofs the facility for the next 20 years.
The team collaborated closely with specialists Vortex Hydra – who have been successfully designing, assembling and installing concrete tile production plants globally for the past 50 years. Vortex Hydra have previously worked with Russell Roof Tiles on multiple projects over the past 35 years. This is the most substantial update to the site for many years and will ensure continued 24- hour output.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net July 2022
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