NEWSROUND Wolseley opens first Renewables Centre
May 22 with a Discovery Day, showcasing the Centre’s offering to installers, press, industry leaders and suppliers from across the UK.
John Hancock, COO of
Plumbers merchant group Wolseley has opened the first of its new Renewables Centres, which will serve as regional hubs, helping Wolseley’s installer customer base to make the most of the fast-growing renewables market. The flagship hub opened in Shrewsbury on Thursday
Wolseley Group said: “Theres a demand for installers to really start ramping up installations of heat pumps over the coming years, and I think we can play a key part in that.” Training courses are delivered in partnership with NAPIT, providing national accreditation and hands-on practical experience. The initiative is supported by Renewable
Equipment Solutions (R.E.S), a Wolseley Group acquisition, providing additional expertise in technical design, commissioning, and access to government grants such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). Renewables director Dan Marsden said: “It’s important that our customers see that we are serious about this sector, and that we want them to succeed in it, so it makes sense that we fund the training in areas where there isn’t the government grant available.” A second Renewables Centre is opening in Swansea later in the Summer.
Housebuilder demand boosts Q1 sales at Forterra
Sales of building materials at Forterra for the first quarter of 2025 were 22% ahead of last year at £124.1m, according to a trading update issued by the building materials giant. On the back of the demand increase, the company is preparing to increase brick production at its Desford factory by bringing both kilns online for the first time from the fourth quarter of this year.
MKM commits to low-carbon future
MKM Building Supplies is stepping up sustainability by cutting carbon, boosting energy efficiency, and backing greener building solutions across the board.
The company’s new
Cheltenham branch is the first to have the entire shell structure built to BREEAM Excellent standards, and has been designed as an all-electric site including: a roof-mounted solar PV array, air-source heating systems MVHR, movement-controlled LED lighting
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systems and intelligent energy management systems. Some 42% of the total annual electricity consumption will be provided by the PV system and with a REGO certified grid supply the building achieves an operational carbon net zero status for its energy use. The branch also deploys electric forklift trucks, EV charging points and will shortly include an electric delivery vehicle.
“We know that construction has a significant carbon footprint, and we’re not pretending we have all the answers,” said Rachel Constable, head of ESG at MKM. “What we do have is a clear and measurable plan to improve. We’re working within our own operations to cut emissions, and we’re helping customers make informed choices about sustainability.”
The Wilnecote brick factory, which has seen investment of £30m, is expected to restart shortly.
The group has also taken steps to boost production of its concrete floor beams.
In a statement, the company said: “With demand recovering and customers’ inventories reducing, we are actively managing production capacity to ensure we continue to address
customer demand. We expect to begin regaining our position in the attractive commercial and specification market as the year progresses.
“Similarly, the commissioning of our innovative brick slip production facility at our Accrington factory continues to progress in line with our expectations as we develop the product range ahead of a market launch later this year.”
Saint-Gobain to invest in new low-carbon insulation factory
Global building materials producer Saint-Gobain is investing in a new multi-million pound low-carbon stone wool insulation factory at its former Holwell Foundry Works, Melton Mowbray.
The new factory, will use all-electric melting technology to power the furnace. This investment will help customers reduce the embodied carbon of construction projects and support Saint-Gobain’s goal to be a net- zero carbon business by 2050 across scopes 1, 2 and 3. The facility will initially
produce 50,000 tonnes of high-performance stone wool insulation products under the brand Saint-Gobain Isover with the potential to double its output to 100,000 tonnes a year. It will build on Saint-Gobain’s existing UK insulation manufacturing capacity at its Isover glass wool plant in Runcorn, and utilise Saint-Gobain’s Isover’s global expertise in stone wool insulation manufacturing.
Dean O’Sullivan, managing
director of Saint-Gobain’s Interior Solutions businesses said: “This is a major investment in new low-carbon stone wool insulation in the UK. Light and sustainable construction solutions are growing in demand – driven by the need to reduce the impact of buildings on the environment and our own goals to meet our business’ target to become a net- zero carbon business.”
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net June 2025
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