82% of builders have seen material prices


rise, according to the FMB


MP visits new Selco Liverpool branch


Selco Builders Warehouse wel- comed an MP and a prominent local councillor to its new branch in Liverpool.


Peter Dowd, Member of Parlia- ment for Bootle, and Councillor Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Regenera- tion and Skills, were welcomed to the branch on Mersey Reach Park, which opened on Monday, April 12 and is Selco’s 70th UK branch. Dowd said: “I was pleased to


look around the new Selco branch and see how it will operate. “I also managed to have a chat with a number of the staff who have been working in the ware- house since January in preparation for its opening in April. It was great to hear that most of the staff live within a short distance of the new warehouse, which is good for local employment opportunities.” Howard Luft, CEO of Selco, said: “It was a privilege to welcome our two guests to our 70th branch. “Mersey Reach as a whole is a fantastic project creating hundreds of jobs and opportunities for people in the local area, which is needed now more than ever.”


8.6% how much Travis Perkins shares


rose on the back of the Wickes demerger


Housing and RMI drive construction recovery


53% of heavy side manufactur- ers and 71% on the light side anticipated a rise in sales over the next 12 months.


Construction product manufactur- ing is continuing it recovery into the first quarter of 2021, accord- ing to the Construction Product Association’s latest State of Trade Survey, thanks the private hous- ing, infrastructure and the repair and maintenance sectors. However, a constrained global supply of raw materials and com- ponents, as well as the associated increases in prices, is weighing on the outlook for the year ahead. In the Q1 survey, 41% of heavy side manufacturers and 46% of light side manufacturers reported an increase in sales. In addition,


The supply of raw materials and components now registers as the primary concern for product manufacturers, however, reflect- ing global supply issues for inputs such as steel, timber, PVC and chemicals. Nearly 90% of heavy side manufacturers and 88% of light side manufacturers reported an annual rise in the cost of raw materials in Q1.


Rebecca Larkin, CPA Senior Economist said: “The construction industry continues its V-shaped re- covery, resulting in another quar- ter of increased sales for product manufacturers. This appears to be the case particularly in private housing, which is experiencing a flow of pent-up demand and policy support from Help to Buy and the stamp duty holiday.”


The Builders Merchants Federation is launching a new Sustainability Forum to be held on June 9th for the first time. It will be chaired by Giles Bradford, communications and engagement manager at Bradfords Building Supplies and sponsored by BMF service member, Peak. The Forum will bring together


merchants and manufacturers for briefings and discussions to share progress and best practice.


SIG UK acquires F30 Building Products


SIG UK has bought Bristol-based construction product supplier F30 Building Products. F30 Building Products is a na- tional supplier with a broad range of specialist products. It operates from branches in Bristol and Plym- outh, will continue to trade under its current name and branding but with the full support of SIG


Distribution’s local network. Rob Pearce, managing director at F30 and Divisional Director of SIG Construction Accesso- ries South, said: “I am incred- ibly pleased that F30 Building Products has been welcomed into the SIG family. This move is in line with continuing efforts by SIG to strengthen its local service and


May 2021 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


BMF launches Sustainability Forum The first Forum will feature a


presentation on the Construction Leadership Council’s Construct Zero initiative from Hannah Vickers, CEO of the Association of Consulting Engineers.


BMF CEO, John Newcomb said: “BMF members are in the vanguard of the supply chain and have a vital role to play in championing and delivering the changes necessary for success in the Race to Zero carbon.”


increase its offering to customers nationwide.


“I look forward to working with my new colleagues and expand- ing our capabilities for the benefit of customers in the South West and throughout the UK.” Philip Johns, managing director of SIG UK, said: “F30 Building Products’ focus on customer care and technical expertise make it a natural fit for the SIG group.”


£269.9m


revenue achieved by tool hire firm HSS for 2020.


NEWS IN BRIEF


James Jones has completed a new visitor centre at its flagship Lockerbie site, the largest single site sawmill complex in the UK and the most technically advanced. Pre-pandemic, Lockerbie received a high number of visitors – including small groups of customer visits, customer training courses, academic institutions and industry events.


The BMF has been recognised with nominations in two categories of the prestigious Association Excellence Awards: Best Covid-19 Crisis Response and Best Membership Support During Covid-19.


Combilift, the Irish


manufacturer of a wide range of handling solutions, has won its 10th prestigious industry award from the Forklift Truck Association for one of its latest products. The 2020 FLTA Awards for Excellence took place virtually on Saturday 10th April, having been postponed from last year due to Covid


The UK Green Building Council has published a new report, entitled A housing market catalyst to drive carbon emission reductions Low energy adjustment to Stamp Duty Land Tax, showing how a stamp duty incentive could help transform the energy and carbon performance of the nation’s homes. The report shows how a modest adjustment to Stamp Duty Land Tax could drive the market to deliver energy efficiency improvements and low carbon heat and power, whilst also being revenue neutral to HM Treasury.


5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48