Minister acknowledges building materials industry’s net zero carbon role
Nadhim Zahawi MP, the Minister for Business and Industry has acknowledged the vital role the building materials industry will play in the development and delivery of new technologies that will significantly reduce carbon emissions, to help deliver the Government’s net zero target by 2050.
Zahawi was speaking the Builders Merchants Federations’ Parliamentary Innovation Reception at the House of Commons on 29 October, which showcased some of the latest products developed by BMF’s supplier members.
Paying tribute to the innovations that BMF members have developed, Zahawi said “Whether it is to improve insulation, to develop new applications for traditional products, reduce the
environmental impact of buildings or products and processes, or bringing to market emerging technologies such as heat pumps, BMF members are playing a leading role in improving the productivity and international competitiveness of the sector in the UK.”
Addressing the Parliamentary Innovation Reception, BMF CEO John Newcomb stressed the need for the building materials sector to shine a spotlight on its investment in innovation. He said, “We are aware that Construction and, in particular, the Building Materials sector has for far too long flown under the radar. Despite the importance of a sector that is overwhelming based in the United Kingdom, directly provides jobs for hundreds of thousands of people and is critical to the future
Selco to open Oxford distribution centre
Builders merchant Selco Builders Warehouse has announced the opening of a Lightside Distribution Centre.
Work has begun on the new 60,000 sq ft centre, which is based in Cowley in Oxford and will service all 66 branches across England and Wales when it officially opens in January 2020.
Materials and products from more than 100 suppliers will be housed at the new centre – for which Selco has entered a partnership with supply chain specialists Unipart Logistics – and delivered to branches on a daily basis.
Howard Luft, Selco Builders Warehouse chief executive, said: “This is a historic development for us as a business and one which will bring huge benefits to our customers, including cost savings.
“Geographically, Oxford is a very central location for our entire branch network and means we can get requested stock into our branches in a very short space of time.
economic success of the country, our Industry is often overlooked by Government, perceived as “old fashioned” and lacking innovation. Collectively we need to address this error and this event is part of that process of change. It is, therefore, extremely gratifying to hear Mr Zahawi praise the innovation he has seen today.”
Construction index shows steady decline
The construction sector saw a further decline in activity in October according to the IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Index. The October data pointed to a sustained decline in UK construction output, with overall volumes of work falling for the sixth consecutive month. The latest survey also revealed a sharp drop in new work, although the rate of contraction was the slowest for three months. Meanwhile, construction companies continued to reduce their workforce numbers, which was linked to weak order books and concerns about their near- term business outlook. At 44.2 in October, the Index registered below the crucial 50.0 no-change threshold. Although the latest reading was up from 43.3 during the previous month, but still close to the ten-year low seen in June (43.1).
Client demand remained
subdued in response to domestic political uncertainty and the economic backdrop. In some cases, survey respondents noted that unusually wet weather in October had acted as an additional headwind to construction output. Lower volumes of work were recorded across all three broad categories of activity.
Civil engineering was the worst performing area, with business activity falling at the sharpest pace since October 2009. House building also decreased at a faster rate in October. The latest data pointed to the greatest drop in residential work for over three years. At the same time, commercial construction fell for the tenth month running, but at the slowest rate since May. New orders dropped for the seventh month in a row during October, but the rate of decline was the least marked since July.
Women in Business Awards
recognises Ibstock’s Kate Tinsley Kate Tinsley, managing director of Ibstock’s Clay Division, has won a top prize at the ‘Women in Business Awards 2019’ for her outstanding achievements in the construction sector.
Tinseley picked up the ‘Women in Construction’ Award at the ceremony for her ongoing contribution to the UK’s construction market, being one of only a handful of women that has reached the top of a largely male dominated construction industry. Prior to being managing director at Ibstock, she was CEO at builders merchant Buildbase for the Grafton Group. Tinsley said: “It’s very humbling to be recognised with such a prestigious award so I am absolutely delighted to have won.”
November 2019
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