NEWSROUND
Jewson opens new branch in Devizes
Construction output continues to decline at a sharp pace in October
Jewson has opened its new upgraded site at the Garden Trading Estate on London Road, in Devizes. The builders merchant has built on the site of its previous Devizes store.
The upgraded site boasts a full tool hiring offering, an extended range of building products, a timber centre, and a new yard.
Solar panels have been installed on the building’s roof while LED lighting and electric car charging facilities are also planned.
Branch manager Andy Ruiz said: “Our address might be the same, but the new branch is a total transformation.
“It is the result of a huge investment, we’re excited to show existing and new customers around and share some of the impressive features, products and expertise available to help them with construction projects of all types.”
Challenges in the UK construction sector continued through October, according to the headline S&P Global / CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index, a seasonally adjusted index tracking changes in total industry activity. Business activity fell for the second month running, amid a lack of new work to replace completed projects.
At 45.6 in October, the headline Index was up slightly from 45.0 in September. However, it was still the second-lowest reading since May 2020. House building decreased for the eleventh successive month in October and at a much steeper pace than elsewhere in the construction sector (index at 38.5). Falling work
on residential construction projects was widely linked to a lack of demand and subsequent cutbacks to new projects. Civil engineering activity also decreased sharply in October (index at 43.7) and the rate of decline was the fastest since July 2022. Meanwhile, there were signs of stabilisation in the commercial; building segment, with activity falling only marginally and at a slower pace than in September (index at 49.5). Worries about shrinking pipelines of construction work contributed to a moderation in business confidence for the third successive month in October. Around 37% of the survey panel forecast a rise in business activity during the year ahead, while 19%
Robert Price welcomes minister to its Newport branch
Welsh family run independent builders merchant Robert Price welcomed the Welsh Minister for Economy Vaughan Gething MS to its Newport branch to learn how
the merchant is helping upskill trades within the construction industry on the path to net Zero. Gething said: “The Welsh Government is building a stronger, fairer, greener Wales, where no one is left behind. We need to embrace new technologies and construction methods to grow a skilled workforce and build long term quality jobs as we transition to a net zero economy.
“I am therefore delighted to see IBMG announces changes to leadership roles
The Independent Builders Merchant Group has made changes to its leadership team; Peter Cudd takes on the role of chief commercial officer and Allun Pittingale becomes chief operations officer for the Group. Cudd will be responsible for category, pricing, product information and marketing functions and will lead the
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integration of these functions with sales, operations and finance. Pittingale, as COO, will lead all the operating divisions and chairs IBMG’s five divisional boards of building, electrical, plumbing, roofing and timber. Martin Stables, IBMG CEO said: “These changes have been made to the IBMG board and management in order to
accelerate the next stage of our growth and deliver our
strategic development plans. Bringing our sales and operational teams closer together to work alongside the
central support functions is a key benefit to this new structure.” Toby Constable takes on
predict a decline. The degree of optimism signalled by the survey in October was the lowest so far this year.
Tim Moore, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiles the survey said: “House building decreased for the eleventh month running and once again saw a much steeper downturn than other parts of the construction sector.
“Competitive pressure on suppliers to pass on lower commodity prices resulted in the fastest decline in input costs since August 2009. Sub-contractors cut their charges for the first time in more than three years in response to a further downturn in workloads during October.”
how Robert Price is helping upskill our workforce with the knowledge and practical training. This will drive a stronger, more competitive Welsh economy.”
Gething was given a tour of Robert Price’s SEC and the various product solution zones displayed there, before attending a training session on Heat Pump installation in the branch’s training academy. Kassie Williams, sustainable partnerships manager, explained: “We now have numerous product solutions on display in a dedicated showroom and we hold regular training events.”
the role of MD for South East Merchanting, while Steve Wakeman becomes group operations director for IBMG.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net November 2023
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