81,326 members of the Conservative Party


voted for Liz Truss to be the new PM


80% increase in the domestic dual


fuel energy price cap from October 2022


Beesley & Fildes invests £1.2 million in timber mill upgrade


Beesley & Fildes has invested £1.2 million in its timber milling facility in Widnes in response to increased demand for both timber stock items and bespoke orders. The mill, acquired in 2004,


produces the skirting, architraves, flooring, planed timber, door casings and certified fire door casing kits sold across the company’s 11-branch network and online.


It also fulfils bespoke orders


from both the branches and customers, including matching legacy timber features and


increasing throughput, set-up and ensuring a consistent finish. Paul Causer, timber mill manager, said: “The new Weinig P3000 planing and profiling line will allow us to process up to 120 linear metres of timber per minute – a 600 per cent increase on our existing equipment. James Beelsey, commercial


providing like-for-like timber details for heritage projects. The investment includes two


Weinig planing and profiling lines, which will replace the mill’s existing planing equipment,


director at Beesley & Fildes added: “This investment programme is all about enhancing our capabilities to prepare for continuing growth and ensure we deliver efficient and accurate timber processing.”


Bradfords takes the Fast Track on training


the senior management team through to branch managers – and looks at how good leadership qualities can inform all aspects of a manager’s role.


Bradfords Building Supplies has ramped up its training activity for managers at all levels across the company, including intensive mentoring support for managers of the future.


Limitless Leader is a new


programme aimed at developing strong leadership practices – from


Limitless Leader will also be incorporated into Bradfords’ Fast Track course – a one-year intensive training initiative for those with aspirations to progress their careers into management level. Bradfords FastTrack develops 12 potential managers each year, putting them through a series of training and management workshops, culminating in a three- month business-related project


Kestrel joins the BMF


UPVC fascia, cladding and roofline manufacturer Kestrel has joined the Builder’s Merchant Federation (BMF).


The move follows a period of growth for BMF, which now has 850 merchant and supplier companies. Together, they have combined sales of over £44bn and employ over 225,000 people in the building materials industry.


Owen Thorogood, Kestrel sales and marketing director, said: “Having started out in builder’s merchants, I know the value of the support, training, advocacy and insights available through BMF.” “They have really stepped up during the difficult years of the pandemic, which was such a difficult time for independent merchants. Kestrel is really proud to support an organisation that is showing such leadership in the industry.”


September 2022 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


which is delivered to the company’s Group Board. The company has recently launched Fast Track 2022 and those selected this year include sales advisors Georgie Sansom from Bradfords’ Honiton branch and Zoe Harvey in Dorchester. Participants are first nominated by a manager, then put through their paces at an assessment day. From there the FastTrack cohort is selected to undergo an extensive programme of study, training and workshops covering everything from understanding leadership and management, to commercial awareness and diversity.


0.1% increase in housing prices in


July 2022


Kent Blaxill opens in Sevenoaks


Kent Blaxill’s new decorating centre in Sevenoaks is now officially open with Cllr Avril Hunter cutting the ribbon on August 22.


James Park, managing director, said: “We’ve been searching for a suitable location for some time and the Vestry Road area offers all we wanted for our customers including good access for both trade and retail customers. It’s exciting to bring new paint brands to the area, including the No. 1 Scandinavian brand, Tikkurila, Dulux, Little Greene, Paint Library and Farrow & Ball.”


“The store has been designed to enable customers to select colour in relaxed surroundings. We are thrilled to be joined by new Manager Margret Szkoda who has a wealth of experience in both retail and trade. We’ve invested over £150,000, created 3 new jobs, and brought a new decorating offering to the area. We look forward to forming new relationships over the coming months.”


MKM signs up to CO2nstruct Zero initiative


MKM has signed up to the Construction Leadership Council’s CO2nstruct Zero initiative as a Business Champion.


Becoming a CO2nstruct Zero Business Champion is the latest in a series of commitments made by MKM to promote sustainable or carbon-neutral practices. The business has also recently invested in its first delivery vehicles powered by compressed natural gas in several of its branches nationwide, as well as piloting EV charging points across its network.


Rachel Constable, Head of ESG at MKM, said: “The climate crisis is one of the most immediate threats facing humanity and the construction industry has a pivotal role to play in helping the UK meet its carbon reduction targets.”


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