NEWSROUND Building materials price growth slowing


Figures for Q2 2023 released in the latest BMF’s Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) confirm that price growth in building materials is slowing and show the first signs of volume recovery through UK builders’ merchants. However, whilst volume growth was evident between the first two quarters of the current year, overall sales for Q2 2023 were lower than the same quarter in 2022.


Quarter 2 2023 v Quarter 2 2022 Comparing the second quarter of 2023 with the same quarter in 2022 shows total sales values were -4.1% lower this year. Price growth, a combination of inflation and product mix changes, was +10.9% higher, but


The largest category, Heavy Building Materials showed only a marginal value gain at +0.5%. The second largest category, Timber & Joinery Products was the weakest performer at -16.3%, though this result is largely influenced by the declining price of timber and sheet materials, with volume decreasing by -3.7%.


volume decreased by -13.5%. Nonetheless,


it is an improvement on the first quarter of the year; prices in Q1 2023 were +16.9% higher than Q1 2022, and volume sales fell -16.4%. Nine of the twelve categories had higher value sales year on year, led by Renewables & Water Saving (+44.4%), Decorating (+12.3%) and Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+9.1%).


Williams Trade Supplies hosts visit with Home Secretary


Williams Trade Supplies Ltd hosted a constituency visit by Home Secretary Suella Braverman at its site in Fareham, Hampshire. The MP for Fareham was welcomed by Ray Stafford, Martin Brown and Alex Peacock from Williams and Brett Amphlett from the


NBG signs five new partners


Buying group NBG has welcomed five new Partners in the past month. These include two new East London based merchants, Floyds Builders Merchant in South East London, a general merchant with a specialism in steel, and timber specialist T Chambers and Son based in Romford.


In addition, Darlaston Builders


Merchants near Walsall and Paget Builders Merchants in Sheffield, heavyside


and general merchants join along with Marcliff Plumbing and Heating Supplies based in Bristol. Managing director, Nick Oates, said: “We stated a few months ago that our pipeline of potential new Partners was historically strong. We have now begun delivering on that potential with five new Partners bringing a diverse range of specialisms to the group. But we’re not stopping here, the pipeline remains strong and we’re confident that we will be making further announcements. Our democratic ideals, founded on the philosophy of ‘one Partner, one vote’ is proving highly attractive to merchants who want a real say in how their buying group is run.”


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SIG Roofing network is opening a new “flagship” branch in Luton, it will have an improved breadth of stock, including the new solar offering. The merchant previously had a presence in Luton, however SIG claim that its new branch is poised to offer an improved range and experience for customers. Regional director for North London, Iain Prince, said: “Luton was the right place to open a new branch. Its size means we


Builders Merchants Federation. As Braverman toured the trade counter and southern distribution centre she chatted with several members of the team.


The Home Secretary engaged with the Williams/BMF team on two core topics; the road to Net Zero in the built environment,


and the ongoing issue of tool theft from tradespeople’s vehicles.


Concluding her visit, Braverman said: “It was very useful to meet with a Hampshire business from a sector which will be at the sharp end of delivering the low carbon agenda.”


SIG Roofing opens flagship branch in Luton


have the opportunity to stock a broader range as well as the new Solar offering. This, combined with its location just off the M1, made it the perfect site for servicing the wider area.” “It’s a win-win as local


customers get the full SIG Roofing range, while nearby branches are able to confidently discuss products they might not have had access to before.” The increased range includes full system offerings for flat, pitched, rainwater, insulation and cladding requirements as well as industrial roofing products. Alongside this, the branch includes an innovative offering with Solar, providing quotations on request with short lead times on product availability.


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net September 2023


Quarter 2 2023 v Quarter 1 2023 Comparing sales in Q2 2023 with the first quarter of the year, total sales in Q2 were +7.6% higher. For the first time in four quarters, quarter-on-quarter growth was entirely due to stronger volumes (+11.3%), with prices falling by -3.3%. With four fewer trading days in Q2, quarter on quarter growth is even more striking.


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