NEWS
DIY Week Awards 2024 - Finalists announced!
After an incredible response from the industry, we are delighted to announce the 2024 finalists who are in the running to win a coveted DIY Week Award, see page 12. The winners will be revealed on Friday 17th May at a special lunchtime ceremony to be held at the prestigious De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. A massive congratulations to all of the 2024 finalists!
Our host this year will be comedian, Jimmy McGhie once again. Jimmy has performed stand up all over the world and appeared on numerous television and radio programmes including the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, Comedy Central, ABC Australia, Three New Zealand, Absolute Radio and many more. He is now a top circuit act in the UK, as well as a highly sought after corporate awards host and TV warm up artist.
to avoid disappointment. To find out more information and book your tickets, visit: https://
diyweekawards.co.uk/book- tickets
Thanks to this year’s sponsors:
Avron/Dekton, Benchmark Retail Services, BHETA, Bira, DK Tools, and Home Hardware.
To be part of what promises to be one of the biggest events on the DIY trade calendar this year, book your tickets early
AWARDS 2024 DIY
Leading cleaning experts HG have announced they have a new UK partnership with Toolbank. The new distribution agreement will see 61 HG cleaning products available from all Toolbank branches, via their website and also via the Toolbank app. Toolbank was founded in 1972 and is an independent market leading wholesaler. Dedicated to providing customers with the most competitive distribution service and product range, Toolbank stock over 250 major brands across 30,000 products.
cleaning, HG is also dedicated to providing customers with the right product for specific cleaning problems in and around the home. At 50 years old HG and Toolbank equal each other in expertise. Director at HG International
With a loyal customer base of over 10,000 retailers who experience the highest level of customer service from 100 external sales representatives, the business is dedicated to servicing local demands.
As an expert in effective
responsible for UK & Ireland, Ryan O’Sullivan said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Toolbank and bringing our expert cleaning products to their 10,000 loyal retailers who rely on the business’ strong distribution. Toolbank like HG is a 50 year old business with a great reputation for customer service and quality products so it’s
Toolbank sign up as a new distributor for HG
a natural fit that we should start to work together. We look forward to a great partnership and to service Toolbanks’ customer base.” Toolbank, Sales and Marketing Director, Paul Maxwell said: “Our customers expect quality products that they can sell with confidence. HG has a great customer satisfaction score for all products so we feel confident we can offer a high quality cleaning range alongside our DIY products. We look forward to working with HG and continuing to diversify our product range.”
New Travis Perkins branch set to create 15 jobs in Derby
Travis Perkins is opening a new branch in Northedge Business Park in Derby on Monday 20th May.
The new branch is set
to create 15 jobs and is 1.76 acres in size. As part of Travis Perkins’ commitment to minimise carbon emissions by 90% this site will include electric forklift trucks, an innovation which will help to deliver on its ambition of decarbonizing its fleet and
becoming a net-zero carbon producer.
The new Derby branch
will also include a brand new hard landscaping display and extensive timber, bricks and blocks range. It will also feature a brand-new Travis Perkins Hire facility that allows customers to hire tools, plant and equipment. Branch Manager, Adam Sheehan says about the new opening: “We’re really excited to be opening our doors to the tradespeople and builders of Derby, and our 15 strong team
Ibstock invests in quality with major factory upgrade
Ibstock has invested more than £12m into its Aldridge factory, improving energy efficiency and quality at the site. As part of the investment, Ibstock has upgraded the legacy technology in the facility. This includes installing brand-
new, state-of-the-art dryers, which now include screen- controlled moisture monitoring. This helps minimise surplus heat wastage, without compromising on the final quality or durability of its bricks.
4 DIY WEEK APRIL 2024
Similar upgrades have been made to the factory’s setting machine. By installing a new system, which is largely automated, the setter can now process 10,000 bricks an hour – double the previous machine’s capabilities and requiring just one operator, helping to improve workflow and efficiency on site. Further efficiency gains have been made via the introduction of an automated unpacking process, overseen by a team of three, which replaces the previous by-hand system, which
was both time-consuming and labour-intensive.
The investment has also enabled a total refurbishment of the kiln cars and upgrades to the kiln itself, driving vast improvements in energy performance at the site. Upon completion of the investment, Ibstock expects gas consumption at the Aldridge site to be reduced by 25%, which equates to a total carbon reduction of 19%. However, this investment has not only allowed Ibstock
to make significant sustainability enhancements across the Staffordshire factory, but also drive real improvements to final product quality, too.
Jason Grimston, factory manager at Aldridge, said: “As factory manager, it has been fantastic to see the impact the £12m investment is having on our operations here at Aldridge.”
will do what matters for the trade. This branch will have everything they need, when and where they need it, and will deliver them value, convenience and consistency. We’re looking forward to welcoming and supporting all of our new customers with choice, quality, and brilliant service day- in, day-out and offer a fantastic delivery and collection service that doesn’t compromise them on time.”
WEEK
Kingfisher has announced final results for its financial year ended 31st January 2024. Highlights from the results include adjusted PBT and free cash flow in line with guidance, adjusted pre-tax profit down 25% to £568m, but positive UK & Ireland sales and consistent market share gains. The business has also seen strong strategic progress and growth opportunities, including Screwfix expansion, e-commerce, retail media, and trade sales of £834m at B&Q’s TradePoint. B&Q is strongly positioned for growth in 2025 and beyond. Thierry Garnier, Chief Executive
Officer, said: “Despite all the macroeconomic and consumer challenges in our markets over the past year, we have stayed focused on our customers and our long-term strategy. I am immensely proud of all our teams for their efforts. In the UK & Ireland, B&Q, TradePoint and Screwfix each delivered resilient sales and market share growth.”
BHETA to host webinar with TikTok Shop
BHETA is to hold an exclusive networking webinar with Rob Taylor from TikTok Shop entitled ‘Redefine your Social Commerce with TikTok Shop’ on Thursday 16th May at 10:30am.
The BHETA webinar will investigate the disruptive force of social commerce within the ecommerce landscape and enable delegates to gain insights into how TikTok Shop is reshaping customer shopping habits, helping brands win new customers, and leveraging a vast global network of affiliates. The webinar promises to ignite inspiration among business owners and industry professionals, showing them how to harness TikTok Shop’s potential to collaborate with affiliates, engage directly with customers, and amplify organic reach in an era where social presence reigns supreme. For more information, visit
www.bheta.co.uk/events
www.diyweek.net
Kingfisher Full Year Results 2023-24
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