NEWSROUND Construction decline slows marginally says S&P PMI
Construction activity fell at a slower pace than in August, but total news orders fell at the steepest pace for three months, bringing business optimism down to its lowest point since May. That’s the headline results from the latest S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index for September. Slower rates of contraction were seen in the residential, commercial and civil engineering segments. Commercial construction (index at 48.5) saw the greatest resilience, with business activity falling only
attributed to geopolitical tensions and elevated borrowing costs. On the other hand, September data showed a solid decline in total new work during the month, with the rate of contraction its fastest since June.
marginally and at the weakest pace since May 2025. Housing activity (40.7) remained the worst-performing area of the construction sector. Many survey respondents linked lower output to sluggish market conditions,
Tim Moore, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: “Total new orders were relatively subdued in September as construction firms reported longer sales conversion cycles and clients deferred decision-making on major projects. This was attributed to subdued demand and geopolitical tensions, while some also noted
Bradfords branches out in Barnstaple
South West-based builders merchant, Bradfords Building Supplies, has strengthened its plumbing & heating offering with the opening of a new standalone branch in Barnstaple.
The business now operates five dedicated plumbing & heating branches across the region, marking a significant step in the company’s growth strategy across the South West. The site has been designed to support installers, contractors and homeowners throughout North Devon, combining
product availability with specialist advice and technical expertise. Customers visiting the branch will have access to a comprehensive range of plumbing, heating and bathroom products, its Daikin Sustainable Home Centre, and the facilities for Daikin Level 1 Installer Training.
Trading director for plumbing & heating at Bradfords, Luke Smith, said: “North Devon is home to a thriving community of installers and contractors, and we’ve seen a real demand for greater access to specialist products, expertise
and training in the area. Opening in Barnstaple allows us to be closer to those customers and provide the support they need to grow their businesses.”
JELD-WEN reaches machinery move milestone
Timber doorset manufacturer JELD-WEN has announced that relocation of it production machinery to the company’s new facility at Bessemer Park in Sheffield is now well underway. The new manufacturing facility, which will be fully operational later this year, forms part of the company’s long-term strategy to strengthen its UK manufacturing footprint. One of the most complex
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stages of the transition, the manufacturing equipment is being relocated in carefully planned phases across eight
operational zones, and has taken 18 months of preparation, daily coordination meetings and detailed site management. The relocation has also included the transfer of 65 existing production assets, all of which were successfully recommissioned to ensure full compliance with industry operation, maintenance and safety standards at the new facility.
pressure from sharply rising input costs. Latest data indicated that overall input price inflation softened for the fourth month in a row, but this trend seems unlikely to endure given recently escalating fuel prices and transportation costs.
“Softer order books, elevated inflationary pressures and concerns about rising borrowing costs were all reasons for construction companies to moderate their year ahead growth expectations during September. This led to a sharp drop in business optimism to its lowest since May.”
LBS Group outperforms a challenging market
Welsh independent builders’ merchant LBS Group has reported increased sales and profits for 2025, continuing to outperform a challenging market while investing in its people, branches and customer service.
The fourth-generation family- owned business, headquartered in Ammanford, recorded turnover of £91.8m for the year ended 31 December 2025, up from £88.9m in 2024. Profit before tax increased by 30% to £3.2m, with its pre-tax profit margin improving 0.7%. The results, reported by parent company LBS Holdings (UK) Limited, were achieved despite subdued conditions across the construction sector, and continued pressure on margins.
Joint managing director, Ben Davies, said: “Our teams deserve enormous credit for these results, and we are grateful to our customers for their continued support. The knowledge and commitment of our people, backed by strong stock availability and competitive pricing, give customers a reason to choose LBS. “We know trading conditions remain tough for many of our customers. Our priority is to help them keep their projects moving.”
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net October 2026
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