Werner celebrates three years of its ‘Stepping Up to Safety’ campaign for those working at height.


Beko has been ranked 17th in TIME Magazine’s Most Sustainable Companies in the World 2025


Wolseley welcomes Western MP


Wolseley Group welcomed Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington, to its head office at Kingmaker Court in Warwick last week.


During the visit, Western met with senior leaders and toured key departments, including Marketing, Digital, HR, and Health & Safety. The discussions focused on how Wolseley is evolving to meet the needs of a fast-changing industry – from digital transformation


to workforce development and sustainability.


The visit also proved an opportunity for Western to learn more about Renewables Centre, Wolseley’s latest initiative aimed at supporting tradespeople as they transition into low-carbon technologies.


Simon Gray, CEO of Wolseley Group, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Matt Western MP to our Warwick head office and


Howarth’s 1840 podcast returns the-scenes look at the family


Howarth Timber & Building Supplies is launching Season 2 of its The 1840 Podcast in September, with episode 1 going live on September 8.


First launched in January, the podcast was created to extend communication beyond the usual annual events, and engage both internal teams and external audiences.


Season 2 begins with a conversation with the Howarth family, offering listeners a behind-


Allegion acquires UAP


UAP Group Limited (UAP), a Manchester-based door hardware specialist, has been acquired by global security provider Allegion. UAP designs solutions


around its customers’ needs, equipping them to navigate the ever-changing fire and security landscape.


Headquartered in Manchester, UAP holds nearly 200 patents, trademarks, and registered designs, including for its pioneering Armasmart range, the industry’s first door hardware range to eliminate 99.98% of viruses.


Following the acquisition, UAP will report into the Allegion International segment. David Jennings, CEO of UAP, will join Allegion to facilitate a smooth transition and support accelerated growth for the combined organisations. Tim Eckersley, senior vice


president and president of Allegion International says “This is a natural extension of Allegion’s portfolio with highly specifiable products that will leverage our existing solutions.”


September 2025 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


business and the values that guide it. Episodes in Season 1 included The History of Howarth, where managing director Nick Howarth shared personal insights into the company’s legacy, A Day in the Life of a Regional Manager, and Women in Merchanting, highlighting resilience and determination, reflecting the personal and professional challenges employees face. Paul Bullivant, Howarth’s


commercial director, and the main host of The 1840 Podcast, says: “It has been an incredible journey. Now we are reflecting on everything we have achieved and using it to shape a more focused, refined Season 2 while staying true to the natural tone our audience has come to enjoy.”


share how Wolseley is evolving to meet the needs of a fast-changing industry.


“From investing in training and digital innovation, to helping our customers navigate the shift toward renewables, we’re proud of the role we play both locally and nationally. Engaging with policymakers like Matt is vital as we continue to contribute to the rapidly evolving future of the sector.”


UK cement production has dropped to lowest point since 1950 when wartime rationing was still in place, according to new data from the Mineral Products Association


Travis Perkins sales slip at half year


Travis Perkins reported a group revenue decline of 2.1% to £2.3bn for the first half of 2025, largely due to subdued Merchanting segment activity, although Q2 showed improved performance.


Overall, lower volumes in merchanting resulted in adjusted operating profit of £63m, compared to £83m 2024, and a statutory operating profit of £59m.


Actions to drive volume in merchanting took effect, with like-for-like sales and market share decline arrested. Management of overheads was used to mitigate cost inflation and increased employer national insurance contributions. Toolstation UK saw progress, with operating profit increasing 50% to £21m.


The Group expects to deliver a full year adjusted operating profit, including £8m of property profits, broadly in line with current market expectations, implementing a new leadership structure, and CEO, Gavin Slark, will join the Group in 2026.


Long Rake Spar invests in new mobile bagging unit


Long Rake Spar, the decorative aggregate supplier, has unveiled a brand-new, £350K, mobile bagging unit to help meet increased demand.


The new unit went into service at the end of August at the company’s flagship Rye Harbour production site in East Sussex, to help boost production of washed and unwashed aggregates which are distributed across the UK. The new unit, which can be moved and operational within just two days, will be used strategically across the business, which has four processing and production sites at Rye, Youlgrave in Derbyshire, Garston in Liverpool


and Prees in Shropshire, to meet specific demand.


The bagging unit features machinery to fill bags and palletise robotically. It will boost capacity of the business by 100,000 tonnes taking the overall stock production capability to up to 850,000 tonnes a year.


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