MERCHANT FOCUS: JEWSON
being part of that community, reaching out to colleges and projects and architects around to really support them.”
John Carter, CEO of STARK Building Materials UK Ltd, adds: “The launch of the new Jewson Luton branch is the largest and flagship branch in our logistics network. It also marks a significant moment for the industry, because it represents a step-change to the form of merchanting business that will help the trades build, renovate, maintain and improve the new and existing homes stock the UK needs.
“Our customers told us what they need from their preferred builders’ merchant – and we’ve built the Jewson proposition around that, offering a great range, great stock, great service and great value.
“From Jewson Luton, we will be serving the many hard-working general builders and professional tradespeople who live and work in the town and the surrounding areas. It’s the latest development in our ongoing investment programme that continues to demonstrate that Jewson is proud to partner the trades.” Carter says that the redeveloped branch is the culmination of two and a half years of work. “We think it’s the best iteration of a large builders merchant in the UK. It’s a great step forward on the journey of reinvigorating the business, and the Jewson brand.” The branch has been redeveloped on the site of the former Gibbs & Dandy flagship branch, something Carter is proud of. “I’m a bit old school. Everyone in my younger days in the sector knew Gibbs and Dandy of Luton. They were one of the key independents, along with Jacksons of Lincoln, and John A Stephens of Nottingham. These were really big businesses,” he says.
“What we’ve tried to do with it now is bring it into the modern day, and reflect the spectrum of customers that we are serving. They range right from the younger one who are IT-literate, right the way through to the traditional builder that we’ve all known and loved as we’ve grown up in the sector. We’re trying to look after both of those ends of the spectrum and everything in between. The younger element are coming in, they’re looking for different workwear, they want to appear much more professional. They don’t have a pencil behind their ear, they have a laptop. They are giving our guys really detailed quotes and estimates, and they’re very focussed on their impact to the customer when they’re actually win the work and do the job.”
Carter adds that he wants to celebrate the group’s ambition. “Ultimately, we believe, we can offer the customer the best service that
they can get locally. And we want to do that in all of our 400 locations around the country, but let’s get it right first. Luton will be the blueprint. It is our flagship. We don’t have many branches that do £20 million pound turnover, with ambition to grow at least 50% more.
“I want to say to people, come and try us. See the difference. We’re a new Jewson, with new branding, and a new approach. I think it’s the best facility, not just in Luton, not in Bedfordshire, not in England, but in the UK.” Regional director Kirs Winters agrees. He says: “I think the redevelopment is a real landmark in the history of our business. With Jewson being part of Stark, the number one distributor of building materials in Europe, this is a real statement of intent for the industry. I think what we’ve delivered here is an unbelievable proposition for the local market and we’re incredibly proud.” BMJ
November 2025
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
Above: Kris Winters (regional director), Luke Samples (branch director), Amy Nicholls (Luton Mayor), John Carter (STARK UK CEO)
THE SUSTAINABILITY HOUSE
JEWSON’s redeveloped Luton branch is also home to its first Sustainability House, a full-scale mock home showcasing products from its Building for the Future range. The Sustainability House serves as a hands-on learning space to arm builders and tradespeople in the local area with information and guidance on the latest regulations and environmental standards. Head of sustainability at Stark, Sabrina Passley, says: “The Sustainability House is a first of its kind installation, it houses our building for the future range, allowing customers to see the range in situ. The products include energy efficient solutions, biodiversity products, and we have no carbon components, either.
“Because it’s tangible, people can get a feel for things. Take Velux windows as an example. It’s a name that people know, and they may want to have a look at how they work in situ. With this house, they can do that.
“The idea is to roll out sustainability hubs throughout the organisation. They won’t all look like the house, for example we have a Sustainability Centre in Norwich which we launched a little bit earlier on in the year. It has an area dedicated to the Building For The Future products, as opposed to being built into a model home.
“When we think about our branches and the footprint, we are going to have some smaller, medium, and larger branches. Other larger branches might be able to have a smaller version of the house, but whether or not it’s going to take the same form as the house, there’s always going to be a presence.”
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