Howdens relaunches TradeFest at the company’s Watford Expo.
Frontline Bathrooms removes plastic from Aqua glass packaging.
Toolstation trials collection lockers at Battersea branch.
Otford Builders Merchants to close
Independent builders merchant Otford Builders Merchants will cease trading later this year following a prolonged period of challenging market conditions. The closure will result in the loss of 34 jobs. The company, a member of NBG, has confirmed there will be an orderly wind-down of operations over the coming months, and that it remains fully solvent. The decision follows three consecutive years of financial losses and an assessment that current trading conditions make a return to sustainable profitability unlikely in the foreseeable future.
The company, founded by John Sparrow in 1971 to support his property development activities, said
Alnwick community gathers for launch of Jewson branch
that rising operating costs and the sustained slowdown in construction activity have significantly affected the business in recent years. Increasing interest rates, regulatory costs, energy prices, employment expenses and business rate increases all contributed to a prolonged deterioration in profitability across the sector.
A spokesperson for OBM
commneted: “This is an incredibly difficult decision for everyone connected with the business. We have explored every available option to restore profitability and secure the long-term future of the company. Unfortunately, despite the commitment of our management team and employees, current market conditions have made it impossible to achieve a sustainable return to profitability.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the generations of employees whose hard work built the business, to our loyal customers who placed their trust in us, and to the suppliers and partners who supported us throughout our journey.”
STARK Group publishes sustainability report
Builders and tradespeople came together for the launch of the new Jewson Alnwick branch. The new purpose-built branch at Lionheart Enterprise Park South, which replaces the former site off Wagonway Road, offers 7,000 products and materials for local builders and tradespeople, a drive-in loading bay, and an extended range of timber products stored undercover. Its dedicated bathroom selection centre has plumbing specialists on hand, set alongside paint- mixing facilities and a brew station serving free tea and coffee throughout the day.
Branch manager at Jewson Alnwick, Malcolm Wootton, said: “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created here and would like to thank everyone who came along and helped make the day such a success.”
STARK Group has published its latest Sustainability Market Outlook Report, mapping how new requirements for product climate data and environmental documentation are expected to change the building materials market towards 2030. The report reveals that product
H&B names new chairman
Steve Durdant-Hollamby has been appointed chairman of H&B, the independent builders merchant buying group.
Durdant-Hollamby brings valuable experiance to H&B, including senior leadership experience with Lords Group Trading and Genuit Group. He commented: “I’m incredibly excited to be taking on the role of chairman of H&B. It’s a fantastic
September 2026
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group with ambitious independent merchants and great supplier partners. I’m looking forward to working with everyone involved, building on H&B’s success and helping make the next chapter an exciting one for the whole group.”
environmental documentation is becoming a market standard across the construction industry, and an increasingly important prerequisite for market access. Senior director of group. Sustainability & ESG at STARK Group, Louise Askær-Hune, stated: “The construction industry is facing a significant shift. The companies that can turn data, documentation and guidance into simple and value- adding solutions for customers will be best positioned in the market of the future.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
BMI launches MyBMI self-service platform Roofing specialist BMI UK & Ireland has launched MyBMI, a self-service digital platform that provides 24/7 access to critical business information.
Developed using customer insights, MyBMI is designed to help roofing projects run smoothly, allowing contractors and merchants to access order history, pricing information, invoices, delivery updates and technical resources at any time of day.
TDUK welcomes £10bn for affordable homes
Timber Development UK (TDUK), the trade association for the timber supply chain, has welcomed the announcement of nearly £10 billion of funding being allocated to build over 70,000 social and affordable homes across England. Announced on August 25, this is the first wave of funding under the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) – a 10-year programme which will spend £39 billion in total.
Travis Perkins
launches fast track to management Travis Perkins has launched a Management Training Programme initiative, which will see 12 new recruits begin a two–year training programme with the aim of them obtaining a management position within a branch in the future. Successful candidates will undertake Level 2 and 3 Apprenticeship qualifications as part of their training, with three learners operating in each of Travis Perkins’ four geographical regions. Applications for the Programme are open now.
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