33% more rainfall fell in February


2024 than would usually be expected.


2% the level that inflation is forecast to drop to, according


to the Office for Budget Responsibilty.


VIP joins NMSB in NBG


New Milton Sand and Ballast and Manchester and London-based independent merchant Valves Instruments Plus Ltd (VIP) have joined National Buying Group as new merchant Partners. NMSB, based in southwest Hampshire, produces and supplies aggregates, concrete, sporting materials and waste management services. Richard Froggett, merchant manager at NMSB said: “The merchanting side of the business had grown to a point where we needed the support of an organisation like NBG. We’re


BMF slings


glad to be part of a group where people are willing to learn from our experiences and listen to our ideas. It’s a very democratic approach, like our own ethos. What really stood out is the level of transparency that comes with each deal – it means that everybody knows what’s expected of them and what they can expect in return.” Manchester and London- based independent merchant Valves Instruments Plus Ltd (VIP) has also joined National Buying Group (NBG). Having supplied valves, instruments and plumbing and heating components to the


-19.8% fall in builders merchant volume


sales in Q4 2023, compared with Q3, says the BMBI.


Managing director, Steve


industry since 1985, the directors at VIP made the decision to join a buying group to benefit from increased purchasing power and business support.


political Webb at Conference


Political journalist Justin Webb will share his insights on the political landscapes of the UK


and America at the BMF Annual Conference in September. As a former BBC North America


Editor, and the first British journalist to be granted a full television interview with President Obama, Webb continues to observe the American political, social and economic climate, assessing the often-dramatic events on Capitol Hill, Wall Street and the White House. He currently hosts Americast, the weekly US news and politics podcast from BBC News. John Newcomb, BMF CEO said: “Our conference this year takes place in the midst of elections both in the UK and the USA. We are delighted that Justin Webb will join us as a keynote speaker.” The BMF’s annual flagship event will take place on 18 and 19 September at the Leonardo Hotel and Conference Venue at Hinckley Island in Leicestershire.


Pallet Loop stacks up for the future


Pallet recycling operation The Pallett Loop has joined the BSW Group, following the latter’s acquisition of Scott Pallets, and appointed Andy Williamson as director of business development. The move also sees The Pallet LOOP become a member of Binderholz – Europe’s leading timber processing operation. Paul Lewis will stay at the helm of The Pallet LOOP as founder and managing director, working to roll out the innovative business to business pallet distribution and collection model that will shift the construction sector away from the current pallet practice of ‘deliver, distribute and discard’ to the more sustainable principles of ‘recover, repair, reuse.’


Ahead of the roll out of its green pallets, The Pallet LOOP is also changing its operating model. To incentivise returns, The Pallet LOOP will now be offering registered return partners – merchants, distributors, principal contractors, and housebuilding companies – a PayBack of up to £4 for every green pallet they put back in the LOOP.


Holistically, The Pallet LOOP is designed to work out significantly more cost efficient than the current default approach, which sees the majority of pallets disposed of via wood skips after just one use. Williamson says: “UK construction has some major challenges to address if it is to


Shilton opens MKM Colchester


MKM Building Supplies has opened its 125th branch, in Colchester, Essex; the ceremony was performed by former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. The branch, which has a 30,000 sq ft warehouse and will specialise in plumbing & heating, kitchen & bathroom solutions, brick specialisation, and timber and sheet materials, will be headed up by branch directors


March 2024 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


Wood, said: “We wanted to speed up our education on new products as we expand our offering. We’re really glad to be able to learn from the other Partners as well as sharing our own expertise.” Phil Bonar, new partner development and recruitment manager at NBG, said: “VIP is a fantastic addition to our buying group. We look forward to benefitting from their contributions as much as they benefit from our support. “It’s also been great working with the team at NMSB and we’re really excited to see their merchanting division go from strength to strength.”


hit its decarbonisation targets. To help the Government deliver on its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, our sector really must start doing things differently. As major deadlines hurtle down the tracks towards us, innovative companies like The Pallet LOOP will become increasingly pivotal – providing a practical alternative to working practices that clearly need up updating and an easy pathway to achieving environmental improvements on the scale required.”


Neil Robinson and Shaun Webb, both of whom have deep roots in the local community.


Robinson said: “I’ve lived in


Colchester for 34 years, and it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to lead a business in an area I love. There’s real community spirit here and both Shaun and I are determined that the new MKM Colchester branch will be an extension of that. To locals, we want to be the ‘big yellow building down the road’ and our customers can always expect us to be welcoming, helpful and provide the products and services they need.”


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