NEWS


Benchmarx showroom in Northampton unveils major refurbishment


Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery, a subsidiary of Travis Perkins, has announced the completion of a comprehensive refurbishment of its Northampton showroom on Harvey Reeves Road (NN5 5JR).


This major upgrade underscores the company’s commitment to supporting both the trade sector and homeowners with kitchens for every style and budget by leveraging the expertise of trusted local tradespeople. Delivered by Benchmarx’s in-house team, the newly


redesigned showroom showcases a variety of popular kitchen designs, along with a curated selection of units and appliances, enhancing product accessibility and enriching the customer experience.


Hayley Parkinson, Branch Manager at Benchmarx Northampton, emphasised the project’s local impact, stating: “Our Northampton team is eager to assist each customer in finding their ideal kitchen solution. This refurbishment not only revitalises our showroom but also reinforces our connection to Northampton – a town of great significance in the


history of Travis Perkins.” As part of Travis Perkins, the


UK’s leading building materials supplier, Benchmarx enjoys seamless integration within a broader branch network, granting trade account holders easy access to an extensive catalogue and credit support. This ensures that both longstanding and new customers experience unmatched service and value.


Hayley added: “Understanding the competitive landscape, we are ready to showcase our dedication to excellence and affordability in the kitchen sector. We are confident that the enhanced showroom will bolster Benchmarx’s reputation as a leading supplier and attract a broad customer base, ensuring a superior kitchen buying experience.”


Screwfix expands customer choice with STIHL products


Screwfix is expanding its range after launching over 120 new products from STIHL, the leading German manufacturer of premium quality chainsaws and outdoor power equipment. The new partnership will see STIHL’s extensive range of electric and battery powered tools, including mowers,


HMP Woodhill leads the way with blooming gardens and allotments


Prisoners at HMP Woodhill are putting food on the table after being taught how to plant, prune and pick their own produce by staff inside the prison.


A huge range of fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers are grown by the hard-working staff and prisoners in the gardens


PEOPLE NEWS New boss at Kent Blaxill Builders Merchants


Gavin Welch has been appointed branch manager at the Bury St Edmunds’ branch of Kent Blaxill Builders Merchants. Following six years with Grant & Son, firstly in Pinner, North West London and latterly in Slough, he brings a wealth of merchanting experience to the role.


The Bury St Edmunds’ branch, along with Kent Blaxill in Colchester, was acquired by the Independent Builders Merchants


Group (IBMG) 12 months ago. Since then, it has expanded its product offering to include extensive heavy side building products, hardware and landscaping, as well as introducing an entirely new roofing line. A new bathroom showroom is also being unveiled in July. Welch said: “I’m delighted to lead a fabulous team of 11 here at the Arras Road branch. There is plenty of opportunity for growth, and customer feedback on the developments we’ve made so far has been hugely positive.” The builders merchant operation of Kent Blaxill has been in existence since 1838. Independent Builders Merchants Group is the largest owner of independent


merchants in the South of England. Operating five core divisions: builders merchants; timber; plumbing & heating; roofing, and electrical, it primarily serves the trade customer.


6 DIY WEEK AUGUST 2024


of the Category B men’s prison located in Milton Keynes. Gardening behind bars gives prisoners the opportunity to learn about various plants and landscaping techniques, while food grown in the allotment is helping the prison to cut costs in the kitchen.


Josh Durrant, 32, joined HMP


Woodhill as a prison officer in 2017 before moving into an instructor role in 2021, working in the prison’s horticulture area. He says:


“I initially saw the prison service


chainsaws and grass trimmers, along with a selected range of accessories online and on the app for click & collect in as little as one minute and home delivery.


Customers will now be able


to purchase the STIHL range at Screwfix stores in England, Scotland and Wales, with colleagues trained to provide


support, as well as have them delivered seven days a week, for the ultimate shopping convenience.


In addition, warranty support


and repair services will be offered through Screwfix’s fast and reliable repair centre, and customer advice and support will be available from Screwfix’s customer contact centre.


as a stepping stone to becoming a police officer, but I enjoyed my job so much that I decided to stay.


“The instructor’s role is all about helping to support prisoners’ rehabilitation by equipping them with the skills to develop and learn which will allow them to progress outside of prison. “The prisoners really enjoy working in the garden areas and being outside helps their mind-set. They take real pride in growing produce for the prison.”


BHETA member introduces new European Duty Paid system for exporters


BHETA is to hold an introductory webinar entitled ‘Smart Border Connect – our market leading DDP Solution’ with BHETA Service Provider, Dachser. The webinar is on Wednesday 18th September 2024 at 10.30am and the speaker is Dachser’s Peter Vickers, Business Development Manager – DIY Solutions. Smart Border Connect is billed as the ‘market-leading’ Direct Duty Paid (DDP) service, simplifying and streamlining trade between the UK and the European Union, and the webinar is suitable for DIY, garden, homewares, and small domestic electrical suppliers. Vickers will talk for around ten minutes then answer questions Steve Turner, Export


Director for Spear & Jackson and new Chair of the BHETA Export Committee, has used the new service and said: “At Spear & Jackson we have been extremely impressed with this service. The simplicity of navigating their Smart Border Connect system has made critical on time deliveries into the EU worry free.”


Dachser Logistics is a family- owned company headquartered in Kempton, Germany, renowned for its comprehensive transport logistics, warehousing, and customised industry solutions. In the UK, it operates from four key sites in Rochdale, Northampton, Dartford, and Bristol. To register, visit www.bheta. co.uk/events/smart-border- connect-by-dachser-webinar


Talasey appoints new Director of Customer Experience


One of the UK’s leading independent suppliers of landscaping solutions has created a new role by appointing a new Director of Customer Experience in a bid to take the way it supports its merchant customers to “the next level”. Rob Bullock has joined Talasey to look at ways in which the company can improve its ‘end-to-end’ service delivery as part of a wider brief for the company to be more efficient and deliver greater value as a supplier. Bullock brings a wealth of sales, customer service and tech experience to the role and is looking to cherry-pick best practices from a range of industries to improve the experience of merchant customers throughout the entire journey of purchasing products.


Steve Turner appointed chair of BHETA export committee


Export Sales Director of Spear & Jackson, Steve Turner has been appointed Chair of the BHETA Export Committee. The BHETA Export Committee encourages and enables BHETA members to start exporting or to build their existing export business. Steve is a well-known figure in the DIY industry with over 25 years’ experience in the sector. He has worked at Spear & Jackson in senior sales roles for nearly ten years, and prior to that, worked at QEP,


managing UK and export accounts. www.diyweek.net


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