RAINWATER MANAGEMENT
Marshalls’ offer has grown significantly over the past decade, and now encompasses Bricks and Masonry, Water Management, Marley Roofing, and Viridian Solar, as well as the traditional landscaping products. Curtis says that this allows it to work much more closely with housing developers, designers, and specifiers across multiple areas.
“In water management specifically, it gives us the opportunity to design and deliver a complete end-to-end solution. Our integrated product portfolio includes linear drainage, below ground drainage, specialist and bespoke precast, permeable paving, box culverts, and headwalls, enabling us to offer systems that collect, store, transport, control, and safely discharge stormwater back into the natural environment. This is supported by consolidated technical expertise, as well as stronger cross- brand sustainability messaging and training resources for merchants and contractors,” he explains.
A range of marketing initiatives for merchants includes regional trade days with live product demonstrations and CPD sessions, co-branded point-of-sale and digital content tailored for merchant branches, helping to strengthen visibility and drive sales. “Moreover, we support social media campaigns targeted at installers and specifiers through our merchant partners, extending reach and engagement. We also host training sessions covering upcoming regulatory
changes, technical excellence, SuDS standards, and the evolution of water strategy, ensuring merchants are equipped with the latest knowledge and insights,” Curtis says. This increased understanding is vital, he continues, and, happily, the company has seen an increasing appetite among merchants for technical sales training, understanding the environmental impact of a product through its life cycle, and the importance of science- based sustainability targets to better support contractors at both tender and construction phases.
Focus on expertise In order for merchants to truly benefit from the wider water management sector, Curtis says they need to have a focus on differentiation and expertise. “There are also clear opportunities to upsell premium performance solutions that offer longer lifespans and lower maintenance requirements. By working closely with reputable manufacturers and providing value- add services such as design support and compliance advice, merchants can strengthen relationships and increase margins,” he says. Moving forward, there is likely to be some short-term ambiguity as the new regulatory framework is established but Curtis believes that this will deliver significant benefits to the sector in the future. PR24 and AMP8 commitments are set to bring in over £100bn of investment into networks which includes upgrades to sewerage, stormwater management, and SuDS integration. He adds: “The future of the market is likely to be defined by mainstream adoption of SuDS and hybrid water management systems across all new developments, supporting urban
September 2025
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
design for water resilience, biodiversity, and amenity benefits. We also expect that water management will increasingly be integrated into broader climate resilience planning. “It is likely that there will be a greater demand for circular economy materials and modular systems. There is an urgent need for a change in mindset around water and the climate. Clean water is a basic human need that must be preserved carefully, yet water also has the power to disrupt lives and communities through extreme storms and flooding. Investing in infrastructure that is fit for the future, as well as managing and protecting it at every stage of the design and construction process, will be essential.” BMJ
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