COMMENT


And it was all yellow


W


e have a different look to BMJ this month as many will have spotted. It’s not a re-design, though we are probably due one. It’s a tribute. A tribute and a call to action. For the last six months, it’s been my priviledge to be involved in the Maddie Rose Campaign, which aims to open up this fantastic industry to more young people. The Maddie Rose Campaign was set up earlier this year in memory and celebration of the life of Maddie Durdant-Hollamby, an inspirational young woman who was dedicated to showcasing the aspirational careers in the sector.


The campaign, in partnership with the Construction Youth Trust (CYT), aims to inspire diverse young talent and help school students discover the rewarding careers in building materials supply.


To continue the good work of the CYT and all those involved, the campaign is going yellow - Maddie’s favourite colour - on the 22nd of September for Maddie’s Day. This will mark the start of the next phase of the Campaign. Merchants and manufacturers are asked to join in on this important day by turning their social media channels yellow and/or adopting the Maddie Rose campaign logo. We want to turn the industry yellow on that day, as a call to arms to keep this important work going. Most of you know that Maddie was, at the time of her tragic death last year, a member of the Travis Perkins Youth Board, and passionately committed to opening up the industry, and encouraging younger people to take advantage of its many opportunities. The Campaign brings together people from merchants, suppliers, the Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants, buying groups, the BMF, NMBS, the Construction Youth Trust and the press,


COVER LINES BMJ


The Original Multi-Surface Construction Sealant & Adhesive is suitable for bonding and sealing a variety


BUILDERS MERCHANTS JOURNAL SEPTEMBER 2022


HITS THE MARK


ALWAYS JOB DONE


all stakeholders in the future of this industry. All of us committed to encouraging younger people to consider a career in the merchanting or building materials manufacturing sectors.


The campaign aims to promote the take-up of apprenticeships schemes, of work experience placements and Hidden Careers sessions. These introduce youngsters to the huge variety of careers that this industry can offer. All too often youngsters are put off the idea of the construction sector by parents or teachers or friends, all of whom think it’s all about running around a building site with blue- prints or a shovel.


I’ve written here before about the Hidden Careers session I attended with a class of Year 9s in Pimlico (that’s the third year of secondary school in old money). It was fascinating and uplifting to see how engaged these kids were with the session and with their built environment.


We need more people to get involved with the Campaign, to tell their industry stories, to reveal their Hidden Careers, and to open up the sector to young people that they know. In the first instance though, highlight this by encouraging all your people - your employees, your friends, peers, suppliers and customers - in the sector to go yellow on September 22.


We will be, and that’s why this issue of BMJ has changed all its normal colours to those of the Campaign, in celebration, in tribute and in anticipation of a total yellow-out of the sector’s media on September 22. For Maddie. With love.


Fiona Russell-Horne Group Managing Editor - BMJ


CONTACTS Builders Merchants Journal


MERCHANT FOCUS


Remodellingto reach for future growth


HEAVYSIDE


Investment continues apace


INEWSROUND


IInvesting further in the tmber sector


Datateam Business Media London Road Maidstone Kent ME15 8LY Tel: 01622 687031 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


EDITORIAL Group Managing Editor: Fiona Russell Horne 01622 699101 07721 841382 frussell-horne@datateam.co.uk


of materials, including: felt, copper, aluminium, mirror, wood, plastic, steel, glass, tile and more. It maintains its robust bond when cured from -40°C to +120°C, allowing it to cope in harsh external weathering conditions.


Assistant editor Anjali Sooknanan 01622 699186


asooknanan@datateam.co.uk


Production Controller: Nic Mandeville


ADVERTISING Group Sales Manager: Dawn Tucker 01622 699148 07934 731232 dtucker@datateam.co.uk


Publishing Director Paul Ryder


pryder@datateam.co.uk CIRCULATION


ABC audited average circulation July 2018-June 2019: 7,801


SUBSCRIPTIONS


UK 1 year: £97 UK, 2 years: £164 Outside UK: one year £113/$204; two years: £196/$353


© Datateam Business Media Ltd 2022.


All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means, electronic or mechanical including photo-copying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the prior written consent of the publisher. The title Builders Merchants Journal is registered at Stationers’ Hall. Suppliers have contributed towards production costs of some photographs in this issue.


There can be hope only for a society which acts as one big family, not as many separate ones


“ Anwar Sadat CONTENTS


4 Newsround The news from around the industry.


8 News Extra


The latest phase of the Maddie Rose Campaign: get involved.


10 BMJ Industry Awards STOP PRESS: The winners revealed


12 People


Who’s moved where and 10 Minutes With…


14 Business Helpdesk Energy issues for businesses.


17 Viewpoint Comment and thought leadership


20 Merchant Focus How a merchant and supplier are working together to their mutual benefit.


23 Supplier Focus BMJ talks to a company investing in concrete roof tiles.


24 Rainwater management


We may be in the middle of a drought, but that just means we have to manage what water we do get better


31 Painting and Decorating


New developments and painting trends.


35 Underfloor heating and plumbing


It’s all happening beneath our feet.


38 BMF Industry Voice News from the BMF.


40 Product News The latest products.


50 And Finally Try your hand at the BMJ Brainteaser prize crossword.


September 2022 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net 3 ”


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