NEWS
Builders merchants band together to race a dragon
A combined team from local builders merchants has taken on a challenging dragon boat race to raise funds for charity. The builders merchants’ participation in the boat race on Saturday 31, August at Bewl Water, Kent, has already raised in excess of £1,500 for Teenage Cancer Trust.
Competing against more than 50 other boats in various heats over the 250 metre distance, this is the second year a combined team from Fairalls Builders Merchants, Parker Building Supplies and Chandlers Building Suppliers took part. With a fundraising target set
at £1.5k the organisers are delighted with donations so far and are hoping to attract even more. Anyone can donate via
https://www.justgiving.com/ page/parkers-chandlers- fairalls-dragon-boat-2024 Mike Grange of Fairalls Builders Merchants, said: “We really enjoyed doing the dragon
India’s largest tile manufacturer acquires seven new UK stores
Kajaria Ceramics has completed a £400K deal to acquire seven stores after CTD Tiles fell into administration in August 2024. The deal will see Kajaria UKP JV take ownership of stores in Brierley Hill, Chester, Colchester, Coventry, Croydon, Derby and Nottingham. The company hopes to retain as many of the original workforce as possible across the newly acquired stores.
Kajaria is world’s eighth largest and a leading tile manufacturer and the biggest in India, with an annual production capacity of 93.1 million square metres. The company already has a dedicated flagship tile showroom in Park Royal, London- W3
ORU, which at 14,000 square metres, is also the largest of its kind in the UK.
By expanding its UK portfolio with the acquisition of seven regional stores, the company is looking to make further inroads with specialist contractors
Wickes celebrates major milestone
Wickes has announced a major milestone for its TradePro programme, which has now reached one million members. Since its launch in 2017, Wickes TradePro has offered tradespeople across the UK savings on every purchase with no minimum spend, solidifying its commitment to supporting professionals in the industry. The TradePro programme is driven by the TradePro mobile app, enabling members to effortlessly check stock availability by line and store, place orders instantly, and have Wickes pick, pack, and deliver their purchases directly
6 DIY WEEK SEPTEMBER 2024
to their vehicle, usually within 30 minutes, all while enjoying a guaranteed 10% discount. In addition to the standard savings, Wickes recently launched TradePro Rewards, a new addition to the membership. TradePro Rewards offers members exclusive access to special offers, discounts, and more, providing even greater value.
Shelley Allison, Head of Marketing at Wickes said: “We are incredibly proud to celebrate this milestone with our one million TradePro members. The TradePro programme has been a game-changer for tradespeople, and reaching this milestone is a testament to the value we provide to our members every day. Our new TradePro Rewards and partnership with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are just the beginning of what’s to come as we continue to innovate and find new ways to support our members.”
and architects by providing an extensive range of ceramic and vitrified tiles and slabs for both – indoor and outdoor for use in the residential and commercial sectors.
Damian Hunter, Kajaria
UKP’s sales director said: “We are looking forward to growing our network of UK branches following the acquisition of several CTD Tiles stores and also growing our team with the welcome addition of new colleagues. As well, as focusing on meeting the needs of our customers both on a national and regional level, we are also hoping to support and reconnect with as many suppliers who have been affected by CTD Tiles’ fall into administration as possible.”
boat race last year, so getting a team together for another race outing was easy. Our primary goal is to raise vital funds for
Teenage Cancer Trust and with our 14-strong team ready to go I am sure we will have lots of fun again this year too.”
Kingfisher announces HY results for 2024
Kingfisher, has posted “better than expected” half year results, with adjusted pre- tax profit (PBT) dipping half a percentage point to £334 million and top-line sales dipping 1.8% to £6.75bn.
A closer look at the figures suggests that growth is coming from increased market share and store development in Europe, with UK sales falling back slightly on the same time last year. Consumers remain concerned about high interest rates and are feeling the effects of inflation. They are holding off on big-ticket purchases, which is affecting B&Q owner’s sales. Poor weather in Q2 (May and June) also impacted sales. An optimistic half year report identified the following growth areas in the
UK: Clear market leadership in the DIY market; ageing housing stock requiring more regular home maintenance; continuing growth in e-commerce; improved cost management across several areas; an optimised supply chain, with real-time visibility across all products and markets; and encouraging housing market indicators. Additionally, the report suggests
that growth in the UK housing market is “encouraging” but this is not expected to have an impact on sales soon. View the full report at www.
kingfisher.com/en/investors/
results-presentations.html
Onduline supports Spitalfields City Farm to upgrade animal housing
Onduline Building Products recently supported Spitalfields City Farm by donating and installing much-needed roofing solutions.
Spitalfields City Farm, located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, offers a sanctuary for both animals and people, providing educational opportunities and empowering people of all ages to gain new skills, confidence and combat social isolation. The two-acre site is home to a wide variety of animals, including goats, donkeys, pigs, and chickens, with animal care and welfare at the heart of the organisation.
As an organisation, Onduline understands the significant impact of roofing solutions on the overall well-being of animals kept outside, and donated Onduline lightweight roofing products, as well as their time, to revamp two outbuildings
housing farm animals. Onduline’s corrugated roofing sheets are perfect for animal housing and farm buildings, for their noise-reducing properties, as they are designed to be four times quieter than metal options, especially in adverse weather conditions like rain or
storms, to maintain a peaceful environment. The sheets are also weather-resistant, which prevents leaks and maintains a dry environment for animals even during heavy rain. Nisha Kumar, Head of Marketing of Onduline UK, said: “We believe in giving back to local communities, and Spitalfields City Farm is a remarkable organisation that embodies this spirit. Their dedication to both the animals in their care and the vibrant local community is truly inspiring. “We were delighted to offer our support and spend a day with their incredible team, learning more about their mission while renovating several of the farm’s outbuildings. It was a rewarding experience to contribute to the farm’s efforts, and we eagerly anticipate seeing the animals enjoy their new shelters in the coming months.”
www.diyweek.net
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