Professional Builders Merchant January 2023

R i s i n g t o the challenge

Following the turbulence of the Covid pandemic, one could surely be forgiven for hoping that 2022 would deliver a much-needed period of stability. In our Januar y column last year for example, we expressed our “high hopes for the construction sector” for the year ahead, and how “most industr y metrics maintain an upward trajector y (with) trade customers across all disciplines reporting sustained demand for their ser vices ”

Fur t her more, we opt imist ic a l ly note d how t here were a ls o “ burge oning sig ns t hat s ome of t he supply side problems are b eg inning to e as e. ”

One short month later however, and we were discussing the growing prospect of Boris Johnson’s defenestration as Prime Minister and made an early reference to an emerging cost of living crisis Already rising energy bills were then sent stratospheric by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine; an act of war that reverberated through the global economy in myriad ways

Putting pen to paper here in mid-December, the conflict and its shockwaves continue. Domestically, we are now on our third Prime Minister of the year with Liz Truss’s catastrophic 44 days in post achieving nothing other than compounding the problems that were already beginning to negatively impact upon the economy

Rampant inflation and soaring energy prices, alongside rising interest rates, are now hitting the nation hard With a sustained recession a near certainty, these are undeniably challenging times for the general population and businesses alike

So much for stability

On a more p osit ive note, t he indust r y ’ s p ower f u l p er for mance over t he l ast couple of ye ars s e es it in a rel at ively st rong p osit ion to nav igate t he t roubles a he ad Whi lst dr iven by pr ice inf l at ion rat her t han volume s a les, t he s e c tor is st i l l show ing ye ar-on-ye ar g rowt h and we cont inue to s e e numerous examples of invest ment across a l l t yp es of merchant business.

From new branches to new vehicles, post-pandemic profits are being put to good use as merchants upgrade their facilities, improving both their systems and ser vice offer The lessons of lockdown mean we now see an even more agile and responsive sector, with an increasingly omnichannel approach to customer ser vice

Equally, and not least because of a challenging labour market, staff support is seen as vital and valued. Many merchants have been helping their teams with cost-of-living payments, recognising that a loyal, motivated and experienced workforce will be crucial to ensuring future success

And w hi lst consumer b elts w i l l undoubte d ly b e t ig htene d over t he coming mont hs, it is an e qu a l cer t aint y t hat opp or tunit ies w i l l cont inue to pres ent t hems elves For example, sust aine d uncer t aint y over gas and ele c t r icit y pr ices has shar p ene d deb ate sur rounding t he energ y p er for mance of t he nat ion’s housing sto ck and, as note d in t he l atest BMBI st ats, t here is a cle ar demand for sust ainable pro duc ts t hat c an help hous eholds re duce t heir mont h ly bi l ls

Merchants such as Bradfords and R ob er t Pr ice have incre as e d t heir fo c us in t his are a, w hi lst t he G over nment has re cent ly announce d f unding for a ne w insu l at ion upg rade s cheme The BMF and ot hers me anw hi le cont inue to c a l l for a f u l l nat iona l ret rof it prog ramme.

The ye ar a he ad may wel l b e dif f ic u lt, but we remain conf ident t hat t he UK bui lders’ merchant s e c tor w i l l yet again r is e to t he cha l

lenge

“Sustained uncertainty over gas and electricity prices has sharpened debate surrounding the energy performance of the nation’s housing stock and there is a clear demand for sustainable products that can help households reduce their monthly bills.”

N E W S U P D AT E

h&b

Development Group

The h&b Group has expanded its team with the appointment of Colin Wilson, who joins as Membership Manager of the h&b Development Group h&b’s unique initiative created to bring smaller merchants into the Group, giving them the opportunity to grow and develop their business through its purchasing deals before progressing through to the main Group

He said: “As well as the great buying deals that h&b can offer, we encourage merchants to take advantage of the many services offered by the Group and the wealth of experience from the network of members across the country. The collaboration and sharing of best practice that goes on can be just as valuable to a merchant looking to grow as the buying deals themselves ”

Pavestone Rally goes green

A firm Foundation

The majority family shareholders who established Lords have a long-standing histor y of charitable giving. Building on this legacy, Lords Group Trading established The Lords Group Foundation in 2021, prior to listing on AIM, and the business has recently hosted an event to officially launch the initiative

The Group has committed to donating £200,000 per annum to the Foundation It notes that “if we are to be local leaders in our markets, this comes with the responsibility of giving back to and supporting the local communities where we trade Lords Group Foundation therefore focuses support on making meaningful contributions to community projects that are local to our businesses.”

Over many years, Lords has already supported a wide range of projects, from Scholarships at the London School of Economics to feeding over 450 children ever y day at a school in Kenya, an annual grant to Save the Children and support to the homeless through the charity Crash Through the establishment of the Lords Group Foundation, the aim is to build on this histor y of giving and fundraising whilst allowing Lords to better

structure its initiatives and give its colleagues an opportunity to get involved in determining how it can support their local communities

At the launch event, Founder and CEO Shanker Patel said: “As a family, we recognise the importance of both giving back and sharing our success We want to create a legacy that involves the whole Lords Group Trading family, which is rooted in recognising and supporting our wider communities.”

In other news from the Group, Lords Builders Merchants has also marked the official opening of its newly refurbished branch in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire As part of an ongoing programme of investment and expansion, the new-look depot boasts an expanded range of services and improved customer facilities including a bathroom showroom, an extensive decorating centre, 3D bathroom and kitchen design services, the Lords Plumbing & Heating division, an Advance Roofing outlet, and an HSS Hire counter.

PHG signs up to Unified Water Label

Taking place from 6th-11th September 2023, the next Pavestone Rally promises to be the most sustainable event yet To offset the carbon produced by the Rally, 125 trees would need to be planted however Pavestone has pledged to plant 1500 more than enough to offset the 2023 Rally AND the two previous ones!

Entries to the 2023 Pavestone Rally close at the end of Januar y Raising huge amounts of money for charity and offering a truly unique way to develop industr y connections, find out more about this “trip of a lifetime” to Monte Carlo by contacting Aaron on 07826 867888 or emailing pavestonerally@pavestone.co.uk

PHG is the latest company to register with the Unified Water Label Association. One of the UK’s leading plumbing & heating buying groups with 15 members across 289 branches and showrooms, PHG’s own brand INSTINCT products will be added onto the UWLA database

John Dicken, PHG Commercial Director, said: “ The need to use water wisely has never been more important and by registering our INSTINCT brand with the Unified Water Label, we can play our part and encourage others to come on board With PHG members collectively turning over £500 million we have a real opportunity to influence other brands and build more

support for the label

“We will be featuring the need to consider water efficiency and how the Unified Water Label can help in our next brochure, and plan to introduce the use of the Unified Water Label as part of our tender process in the future ”

Unified Water Label Association MD Yvonne Orgill said: “We are pleased to welcome PHG and the INSTINCT brand to the UWLA. Their commitment to focus on aiding customers to promote reducing water and energ y waste, especially with escalating energ y costs, will contribute to our efforts and ensure that by working together, we can influence behaviour and make a real difference ”

LORDS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Maintaining compliance

The Builders Merchants Federation has welcomed the Government’s decision to continue to recognise the CE Mark for construction products until 30 June 2025, giving businesses in Great Britain a 2.5 year extension on the planned date of transition to UKCA conformity assessment certification and labelling which had previously been set for 1 Januar y 2023

BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “It has been clear for many months that that more time was required for companies to find qualified people to conduct UKCA tests and to prepare the necessar y documents and packaging for their goods. The BMF has been working with the Construction Leadership Council and other trade bodies to facilitate an extension

“ This welcome, overdue decision means a ‘cliff edge’ on New Year’s Eve after which you

Insulation funding

Actis is among many in the industr y to welcome a new nationwide £1 billion home insulation funding scheme which is aimed at middle income householders living in energ y inefficient properties The £1 billion ECO+ scheme, which launches in the spring and will run for up to three years, builds on the existing ECO (Energ y C ompany Obligation) schemes, which have been running since 2013.

With existing schemes covering those on benefits or in fuel poverty, the insulation specialist’s UK and Ireland Sales Director Mark Cooper said of the new initiative: “More than 25% of the UK’s traditional housing stock is more than a centur y old, much of it ver y leaky when it comes to keeping heat in, and research shows that more than 12 million homes had EPCs of D or worse in 2020

“Installing insulation is the most cost-

P B M m a g a z i n

could not have legally sold certain goods because they have not achieved UKCA status has been avoided ”

Updated Government Guidance on Construction Products Regulation in Great Britain, which provides practical information for placing construction products on the GB market, can be found via www.rdr.link/mao001

This Guidance does not cover goods supplied to the Northern Ireland market or goods supplied to the GB market from Northern Ireland For as long as the NI Protocol is in force, Northern Ireland will align itself with EU rules and construction materials should carr y either CE Marking or CE marking and the UK (NI) indication As such, the latest Guidance for Northern Ireland can be seen via www.rdr.link/mao002

Jewson focuses on mental wellbeing

A key focus of the recent Jewson Live at Birmingham’s NEC was the mental health crisis facing the construction industry. Providing a safe space for tradespeople to talk about their mental wellbeing, the event enabled visitors to hear expert advice and learn more about the additional support available to them

Key speaker sessions included Behind the Line, where legendary boxer Frank Bruno discussed his mental health struggles. A second session on the day saw Frank join fellow sporting star James Wade, and the Band of Builders’ wellbeing lead Peter Cape in a Screw the Silence Q&A

Alongside these sessions, the Builders Talk café offered a hub of support, encouraging attendees to open up and chat with fellow trades while grabbing a brew

Research & Insight

effective way of stemming the flow of heat escaping from these homes With energ y prices affecting ever yone, not to mention the impact on the environment, it makes sense to ensure that the existing building fabric is as energ y efficient as possible ”

He added: “Hopefully this new scheme will encourage people who have been considering improving the energ y efficiency of their homes to go for it ”

MRA Research and Toolbank have won the Best use of Research & Insight award at this year ’ s Construction Marketing Awards (CMAs) The independent tool wholesaler had commissioned MRA Research which compiles The Pulse merchant sales and confidence tracker for PBM to undertake a market benchmarking and customer insight study to feed into a long-term brand strateg y review

Through three phases of research, using proprietar y MRA diagnostic analysis tools, the agency was able to “challenge existing perceptions, identify fundamental changes in the market and outline key issues for Toolbank’s customers ” It then recommended clear actions for Toolbank to build and grow the brand, and the implementation of a new marketing strateg y is now under way, heavily focussing on the key points and insight from the report

BMF WELCOMES CE MARK EXTENSION

The drive to insulate

As reported in PBM last month, the Builders Merchants Federation has called on the Prime Minister to “support a national retrofit strategy that would create 500,000 new jobs across the UK and help achieve the country’s Net Zero ambitions by 2050.” Encon Insulation’s Merchant Development Director Mike Beard has backed the BMF’s call to Government, and outlines his own thoughts on addressing Britain’s ‘energy crisis.’

We welcome the BMF’s call to Government to support a national retrofit strateg y, which is long overdue Developing an effective long-term plan to save energ y and improve the thermal performance of our buildings has been poorly addressed by Government for decades

The energ y crisis is now compounding the issue, impacting on our personal and business lives, and there is currently no end to this crisis in sight

It is a well-documented fact that our existing housing stock is among the oldest in Europe Eighty percent of UK homes are 80 years old, 30% of the energy used is wasted and the UK’s housing stock loses up to three times more energy than our European neighbours According to the Climate Change Committee, 20 million homes need some form of retrofit energy improvement, with a high percentage requiring internal or external wall insulation

The Government appears to be standing by its ambitious net zero targets by 2050, which is only 27 years away ; and to achieve its 78% emissions reduction target by 2035, only 12 years away! But 80% of the buildings currently in the UK will still be in place in 2050 and their energ y performance will need to be radically improved Centre Right Think Tank suggests we will have to retrofit two houses a minute for 13 years to hit the UK’s emissions targets.

The tightening of Part L is good news, but it’s only one part of the solution, and new homes being built today to current regulations will still need further improvement to meet net zero standards Fundamentally, the Government’s bold targets will not be met unless energ y efficiency is prioritised in all parts of the housing stock and all other buildings too

Action is needed

The cheapest energ y is what we don’t use Insulating homes and improving the thermal efficiency of buildings is the most cost-effective way to saving energ y and reducing fuel bills.

If the Government wants to address the energy crisis effectively and meet its ambitions for net zero buildings, then a long-term retrofit strateg y is essential and one that develops into a national infrastructure project with cross party support to ensure longevity and deliver y. In my view, any new initiative or scheme needs to:

l Be designed by the industr y, who will ultimately deliver it.

l Ensure regulation of the scheme is kept transparent, timely and fair

l Be supported with realistic skills policies that encourages a supply of reliable, welltrained installers and ser vices to help homeowners find trusted contractors

l Include incentives for user engagement so

cheapest energy is what we don’t use. Insulating homes and improving the thermal efficiency of buildings is the most cost-effective way to saving energy and reducing fuel bills.”

homeowners can adopt measures in a practical and affordable way. For example, stamp duty relief, green mortgages or VAT cuts on energ y saving home improvements

Ultimately, an effective retrofit scheme will enable all properties over time to move up the EPC banding table and benefit from better thermal performance and money savings on fuel bills The benefits are also, of course, to our climate and to the country’s energy security. We need to generate a national obsession to insulate!

n For more information on the products and merchant support ser vices available from Encon Insulation, enter the shortcode www rdr link/mao003

i o n a l b u i l d

“The

M A R K ET M O N I T O R

in association with

Price inf lation dr ives sales

According to the latest figures from the Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI), total value sales data from Britain’s builders’ merchants shows Q3 2022 recorded +4.3% year-on-year growth. However, price inflation (+14.6%) continues to drive the increase in sales, as volumes fall -9.0%.

Ten of the 12 categories sold more in Q3 2022 compared to the previous year with Renewables & Water Saving growing the most (+38 4%) Workwear & Safetywear (+23 6%), Kitchens & Bathrooms (+17 2%), and Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+14 2%) all grew faster than the overall average Landscaping (-1 3%) and Timber & Joinery Products (-11.1%) were the only categories to sell less. With one less trading day this year, like-for-like sales were +5.9% up.

Comparing Q3 2022 with Q3 2019, a more normal pre-Covid trading year, total value sales were +23.4% higher this year Volume sales were -6 8% down while prices were up +32 4% Despite one less trading day in the most recent period, like-for-like sales were +25 3% higher All categories sold more, including Timber & Joinery Products (+32.3%), Renewables & Water Saving (+30.8%) and Landscaping (+28.6%) which all did better than Total Merchants.

Quarter-on-quarter, sales were down -2.2% in Q3 2022 compared to Q2

2022. Volume sales were down -5.5% and prices were up +3.5%. Despite four additional trading days in Q3, like-forlike sales were -8.3% lower.

Renewables & Water Saving (+14 5%) was again the standout category, followed by Workwear & Safetywear (+8 1%) and Kitchens & Bathrooms (+6 2%) Seasonal category

Landscaping (-18 3%) was weakest

Mike Rigby, CEO of MRA Research which produces this report, said: “The big talking point for Q3 is probably the growth spurt of the Renewables & Water Saving products category. While it is one of the smaller categories tracked by BMBI, it is now consistently at the front of the pack across a range of data comparisons With energy cost uncertainty continuing, there is clearly a demand for more sustainable products which can help households reduce their monthly spend, whether its cutting energy or water use.

“Can this upward trend for Renewables & Water Saving survive consumer belt-tightening expected

this winter? With gover nment support reduced to just six months of help with homeowner bills, it might figure in the BMBI results more prominently for some time to come ”

The index is based on actual sales from GfK’s Builders’ Merchant Point of Sale Tracking Data GfK’s Senior Client Insight Manager – Trade Emile van der Ryst added: “This consistent theme of price increases and volume declines mirrors much of what is seen across the UK economy and like other sectors there’s probably an expectation that volumes will continue decreasing.

“In September, GfK’s Consumer Confidence set a record low since tracking started in 1974, a clear reflection of the difficulties currently experienced The final quarter of the year will be increasingly difficult, as highlighted by the Bank of England expecting a two-year recession.”

n The Q3 2022 BMBI report is available to download at w ww.bmbi.co.uk

Glimmers of hope at the end of a difficult year

With responses canvased in December, the latest instalment of The Pulse saw builders’ merchants reflect on a tumultuous year but there are signs of positivity for 2023.

Sales expectations were weak partly because it was ‘that time of year ’ , but mainly as a consequence of the political turmoil and economic uncertainty Price increases and the cost-of-living crisis weighed heavily

Howe ver, merchants’ sales exp ec tations were more p ositive for the next six months (Dec to May), with greater conf idence in the prosp ec ts for their own business than for the market overall

The Pulse, by MR A Research, is a monthly tracking sur vey of merchants’ conf idence and prospects Telephone inter v iew ing took place between 1st and 5th D ecember 2022 (3 working days)

Problems faced

Supplier price increases were a problem for nearly 8 out of 10 merchants (77%) Chart 1. More than half (56%) mentioned Squeezed margins with over 1 in 10 (13%) saying they were their single biggest problem Supplier price rises were the single biggest problem for over 4 in 10 merchants (42%) whilst Product availability was the single biggest concern for 15% of merchants.

while merchants in the Midlands (-19%) expected sales to fall. Small branches expected sales to grow most (+16%)

Sales expectations

Sales expectations dropped sharply in December compared to November (net -51%) Chart 2 Expectations were weakest in Mid-sized outlets (-62%) and Independents (-59%).

December’s sales expectations, compared to a year previously, lied to a net +9% having dropped to a negative -5% in November All types of merchant expected sales to increase year-on-year More merchants in Scotland (+31%) and the South (+20%) expected sales to increase,

Looking six months ahead, a net +7% of merchants expected sales to increase in the six months December 2022 to May 2023 compared to the previous six months Chart 3 at was the first time Merchants had forecasted growth since April 2022.

Except for Scotland, which expected no change, all regions expected some growth A net +13% of Nationals expected growth Fewer Independents (+3%) and Regionals (+3%) expected growth.

Nearly one in three (32%) merchants who expected sales to build in the next six months, projected an increase of under 10% Chart 4.

But almost a quarter (23%) expected growth of 10% to 20% while 10% expected an upli of more than 20%.

Trends Monitor

Omnibus question: Grenfell

On 14 June 2017, 72 people died in the fire at the 24-storey Grenfell Tower in West London The stor y has barely been off the front pages in the ensuing years, and the enquir y into the causes of the fire have exposed much that needs to change

A high-profile industr y group compiled a new Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI), and we can expect more changes to follow, but how much has Grenfell affected builders’ merchants and their customers?

More t han 1 in 4 (26%) merchants t hin k Grenfel l has change d att itudes in const r uc t ion to f ire s afet y and t he way we bui ld but most (74%) t hin k litt le to not hing has change d since t he f ire sho cke d t he nat ion

Just 15% of merchants say their customers have changed the products they buy, the advice they seek or the way they build following Grenfell and the new CCPI Just over one in five merchants (22%) say they have changed the products they sell, or the information they give customers to help them build more safely following Grenfell

Confidence in the market

A net -27% of merchants were less confident in the market in December compared to November Confidence in the market was weak in Small branches (a net -29%) and Mid-sized outlets (-33%). Scotland (-44%), the Midlands (-41%) and Independent merchants (-41%) were the least confident

Year-on-year, confidence in the market also fell from last month. A net -47% of merchants were less confident in the market at the start of December than they were in December 2021 Chart 5 Confidence was low across all sizes of outlet, regions and types of merchant Independents (-59%), Merchants in Scotland (-62%) and the Midlands (-59%) were least confident

Confidence in their business

While merchants lacked confidence in the market, they were consistently more confident in the prospects for their own business with a net +16 being more confident month on month. All types of merchant in all regions were confident Nationals (+21%) and Regionals (+17%) were most confident, but Independents were also confident in their own business (+9%)

Year-on-Year, merchants’ confidence in their own business had weakened to a net -5% Chart 5 But Regionals (+17%), Small branches (+4%), and the South (+3%) were still more confident than they were the same time last year. A net -25% of Independents and Nationals (-5%) were less confident in the prospects for their business than they were last year

e difference between the percentage of merchants expecting growth and those expecting a decrease is the net figure, expressed as a percentage A positive net percentage indicates growth, a negative indicates decline Net zero implies no change

A b o u t t h e P u l s e

The Pulse is a monthly trends survey tracking builders’ merchants’ confidence and prospects over time. Produced by MRA Research, the insight division of MRA Marketing, it captures merchants’ views of future prospects in terms of sales expectations, confidence in their business, confidence in the market, and the key issues and problems they experience.

This report is the 44th in the series, with interviews conducted by MRA Research between 1st and 5th December 2022 (three working days) Each month a representative sample of 100 merchants is interviewed, balanced by region, size and type of merchant, including nationals, regional multi-branch independents, and smaller independent merchants.

STARK choice

The divested assets are expected to generate revenues of around €2 7billion in 2022 with an operating margin of around 2% ey comprise 600 outlets and employ 8,900 people, whilst the divestment is based on an enterprise value of £740 million (around €850 million)

In addition to Jewson, the deal encompasses well-known brands including Gibbs & Dandy, JP Corr y, Jewson Civils Frazer, Minster and International Timber. is transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023 and is not subject to any external conditions

It follows the divestment of Saint-Gobain’s specialist distribution brands in the United Kingdom over the last 18 months (most prominently, Graham the plumbers’ merchants), representing around €650 million of revenues at around breakeven in terms of operating margin, based on an enterprise value of around €200 million

Once complete, Saint-Gobain will no longer have any distribution businesses in the UK.

Mike Newnham, CEO of Saint-Gobain Building Distribution UK, said: “Saint-Gobain is a great business and our distribution businesses are proud to have

been part of the Group for more than 20 years We’re now delighted to be joining the STARK Group and entering a new chapter of growth for our businesses and our 8,900 dedicated colleagues.

“We’ll continue to focus on developing our ser vices and solutions and delivering a great customer experience right across our brands to the 100,000s of customers who rely on us each week to deliver their projects Looking for ward, the construction industr y has a ver y important role to play helping customers to decarbonise and renovate homes, and build good quality buildings and infrastructure for the future ”

From the perspective of the STARK Group, the deal marks its début into the UK market. Headquartered in Denmark, the firm is a leading business-to-business distributor of heavy building materials in Northern Europe, with current net sales of approx. €6billion. It works with c 10,000 suppliers and serves 275,000 customers from its 550 locations in Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway, where it has in the region of 12,500 employees

Now holding “ a leading national or regional position in all markets”, STARK

Group reports it has doubled its net sales through organic growth and acquisitions since 2019 when the Group acquired Saint-Gobain’s German distribution business e UK transaction is the 18th since CVC Capital Partners Fund VII took ownership of the company in May 2021 and represents the Group’s largest acquisition to date.

Group CEO Søren P Olesen said: “We have a strateg y that successfully focuses on professional crasmen and the renovation and maintenance market, which this acquisition fits ver y well into We will do our utmost to develop, grow and invest in the company making it the professional crasmen’s preferred choice

“Despite the current tough macro-economic environment, the fundamental drivers for the renovation and maintenance market in the UK are attractive. We are facing a challenging transition year, but it is a solid company that we can make thrive and grow ”

n For more information on the STARK Group, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mao004

Following a “competitive sale process,” Saint-Gobain has signed a binding agreement for the sale of all its UK merchanting brands including the builders’ and timber merchant Jewson to the STARK Group.

NBG Awards hit the heights

The curtain has now come down on the truly spectacular 2022 NBG Annual Conference & Exhibition. PBM details the Awards Winners from a sensational Gala Dinner extravaganza.

From the ever-impressive surroundings of the Celtic Manor Resort and its near-neighbour of the ICC Wales, the 2022 NBG Annual Conference & Exhibition offered delegates a comprehensive and tightly packed business agenda across two days in mid-November. A balanced programme delivered an informative, conference-style ‘Supplier Summit’ on Day 1, with speakers addressing some of the industry’s key concerns including packaging waste regulations, opportunities in digitalisation and driving profit from change in addition to the specific challenges facing merchants and suppliers in the independent market

Following an evening of fantastic networking opportunities afforded by a retro, Back to the Future-themed Welcome Dinner (including the literal centrepiece of a DeLorean time machine !), the doors at the ICC Wales were opened up for Day 2’s substantial Exhibition with over 150 Suppliers in place to showcase new products, answer queries and discuss the training and marketing support ser vices on offer for NBG partner merchants

In the evening, delegates returned to the halls of the ICC Wales which had been transformed into an elaborate circus ‘Big Top’ the home for the night of the stunning ‘NBG’s Greatest Show’ cabaret, taking its inspiration from the 2017 Hugh Jackman movie spectacular

Throughout the Gala Dinner, hugely

talented singers and performers wowed the diners, all weaved around the NBG’s annual Awards presentation Featuring a number of new categories hitherto exclusively the buying group ’ s Supplier Awards as nominated by the partners and Categor y Management Teams, this year included accolades as voted for by Suppliers to reward the ‘most engaged’ merchant partners the winners were as follows:

2022 CMT Supplier of the Year Awards Brick & Block

Forterra Building Products Civils & L andscaping Joint It

Highly Commended Acheson & Glover Decorating, Hardware & Kitchens TIMCO

Highly Commended Symphony Group Plc General Build Mannok Cement

Highly Commended Siniat Plumbing, Heating & Showrooms

QX Bathrooms

Highly Commended Altecnic Roofing & Insulation Knauf Insulation

Highly Commended Cromar Building Products

Timber Caledonian Plywood Co

Highly Commended MDM Timber Tools & Workwear Toolbank

Highly Commended Haemmerlin

NBG Supplier of the Year 2022

More than £5million turnover Mannok Build

£1m to £5m turnover QX Bathrooms L ess than £1m turnover Joint It

NBG PIM Supplier of the Year 2022 ForgeFix

Highly Commended Talasey Group

Supplier Voted Awards

Most Engaged NBG Partner 2022 more than ten branches PGR Timber

Most Engaged NBG Partner 2022 2 to 9 branches

Inter-Line Building Supplies

Most Engaged NBG Partner 2022 single branch

McNair Building Supplies

The evening also raised over £28,000 for the Rainy Day Trust

Further information regarding the business programme and the wider e vent c an be found online via the PBM website and will feature in subse quent issues of the magazine.

n For more information on NBG, including on how to become a partner, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mao005

ST ANDREWS TIMBER & BUILDING SUPPLIES

NEW LIVINGSTON BRANCH

The h&b merchant member has unveiled the latest addition to its branch network in Scotland, located at a purpose-built four-acre site in Livingston The new branch brings the number of St Andrews Timber & Building Supplies locations to four

Established in 2002, St Andrews stocks over 100,000 timber and building products across locations in Edinburgh and Paisley, serving both trade and retail customers across the Scottish Central Belt and with a specialist Distribution Division offering expert advice, products and services for a range of insulation products from a bespoke location at the company’s Prestonfield HQ in Edinburgh

The new Livingston branch will also carry a full range of heavyside building materials and the location was targeted due to its solid contractor base and strong infrastructure investment, underway now and scheduled for the next fifteen years whilst also forming an “excellent strategic bridge” between the company’s Edinburgh and Paisley bases

MD Ronnie Robinson said: “The support from h&b has helped us massively in establishing our new branch right from the beginning, and the Group and its members have also been a great sounding board for us as we have moved forward ”

ALLOWAY TIMBER & BUILDERS MERCHANTS REBRAND

Alloway Timber, a family-owned timber merchant, has completed a major rebranding following the merger with its sister company, Putney Builders Merchants (PBM) The new company, Alloway Timber & Builders Merchants, will allow the business to simplify its offering to customers by ensuring all products are available under one roof

Now trading from five locations (Cheam, Mitcham, Byfleet, Putney and Kingston), Alloway Timber was founded in 1971 by Joe Alloway (senior) and continued under the stewardship of his two sons, Joe & Peter Alloway Supplying anything timber-related from skirtings and architraves to roof truss rafters and beyond, the company opened PBM in 2003 in response to customers needing help to support their projects from start to finish.

Jez Avens, Managing Director, said: “This change will further enhance our position as leaders in customer service Our customers will have only one account to manage and most importantly our level of service and their experience in dealing with us will only improve as we share our colleagues’ knowledge across the two businesses Also, by making this change we will be able to utilise our transport fleet better to enable a greener environment ”

LEYLAND SDM DELIVERY SERVICE + TIMBER STOCKS

Leyland SDM has introduced a new onehour delivery service and strengthened its timber range to bolster its “already strong reputation for convenience” for tradespeople across London All 32 stores in

its network now offer express delivery within an hour as part of a full range of options for tradespeople to receive their materials and products direct to their job at any London address The decorating and DIY specialist has also entered into a partnership with Cheshire Mouldings and has more than 120 different timber options on offer in store

New ‘indoor timber yard’ facilities are being rolled out across the store network, with all timber requirements said to be catered for including planed timber and timber sheet materials such as MDFs, OSB, plywood sheets, chipboards and hardboard.

Jonathan Jennings, CEO of Leyland SDM, said: “We have built up a strong reputation for convenience amongst our trade customer base and these two developments only serve to enhance that as we offer the outstanding availability, service and pricing tradespeople desire ”

PBM looks at some of the latest news stories from across the merchant sector including new branches, additional services for customers and support packages for staff.

HUWS GRAY

LANDSCAPER AWARDS

Sponsored by Pavestone and Aco, Huws Gray’s Landscaper of the Year award has returned for its third year with great success Each year, the merchant uses the opportunity to engage with customers as they promote their completed landscaping projects, and showcase its diverse range of quality landscaping products. Running from March until November, Huws Gray said that an even higher standard of applicants was received compared to the previous year whilst the 20% increase in entries was also a record

Chris Roberts, Huws Gray’s Merchant Marketing Manager, said: “We would like to send a big thank you to everyone who participated in the contest and helped make it a success Championing the immensely talented landscapers in our local communities is wonderful and we’re honoured to be able to utilise this competition to show just how much expertise and skill there is out there ”

SELCO BUILDERS WAREHOUSE

CHELTENHAM BRANCH

Selco Builders Warehouse has officially cut the ribbon on its Cheltenham branch to further bolster its presence in the South West. The new branch, the 74th in its ever-growing network, is based on the Festival Trade Park in Runnings Road and comes hot on the heels of the opening of Selco’s Exeter store in April Selco CEO Howard Luft said: “We are delighted to extend the Selco offering into yet another new town in the UK Our two Bristol branches gave us a footprint in the South West but we have expanded in that region throughout 2022, firstly with Exeter and now Cheltenham ”

The official launch saw Cheltenham Town Football Club Manager Wade Elliott and captain Sean Long in attendance (the merchant is an official partner of the League One club) whilst Selco continued its commitment to supporting the local communities in which it operates by donating £3,000 to good causes

BRADFORDS BUILDING SUPPLIES

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES SERIES

Held at Somerset County Cricket Club in late November, Bradfords Building Supplies recently hosted the third in its ‘Building Sustainable Communities’ series to bring together experts in home energy efficiency to share their advice with tradespeople and homeowners in response to the challenge of rising energy bills and the urgent need to decarbonise homes

A s w e l l a s t i p s o n i n s u l a t i o n t e c h n i q u e s a n d m e a s u r e s t o i m p r o v e a i r t i g h t n e s s a n d v e n t i l a t i o n , t h e r e w e r e d e t a i l s o n w h e r e t o s e e k f u n d i n g f o r r e t r o f i t p r o j e c t s , i n c l u d i n g g r a n t s a n d s u p p o r t s p e c i f i c a l l y a v a i l a b l e f o r t h o s e i n S o m e r s e t a n d t h e s u r r o u n d i n g r e g i o n

Giles Bradford, Head of Sustainability at Bradfords Building Supplies, said: “As a builders’ merchant, we know that our suppliers are making great progress in adapting their products and innovating to meet the retrofit challenge We want to use our unique position to bring together homeowners, suppliers and all our customers across the trades to put these challenges and solutions to the forefront of minds, whatever the building project ”

MKM

GLOUCESTER BRANCH + COST OF LIVING SUPPORT

MKM has recently celebrated the official opening of its latest new branch, with a helping hand from national treasure Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards The former Olympic ski-jumper opened the new depot in Gloucester, located just around the corner from the dry ski slope where he learnt his legendary skills

Headed up by Branch Directors Charles McArthur and Rob Caren, the outlet’s opening has created 17 new jobs for the local area.

The company has also recently committed to helping its team weather the current cost-of-living crisis by announcing the roll-out of an energy support payment scheme This scheme will see MKM pay every employee (except Board members) an additional £1,000 this winter, with the payment designed to help ease the burden of spiralling energy bills and forming part of the merchant’s wider wellbeing programme of supporting its staff beyond the 9-to-5

Huws Gray Landscaper of the Year 2022 - A&R Landscapes: (left to right) Martyn Haughan, Branch Manager at Huws Gray Penrith, with Carl Potts, Matthew Pearson, Robert Edmondson, Matthew Davidson and Alan Mckenzie from A&R Landscapes

T R A I N I N G Z O N E

The Building Blocks of online training

Asig nif ic ant upg rade in 2019 int ro duce d t iere d subs cr ipt ion le vels to BMF C ampus content. This me ans t hat any business c an access va lu able le ar ning w it hin t heir budget, w it h a l l le vels delivere d w it h t he fe atures, branding and rep or t ing re quire d

R eg ist rat ions for BMF Bui lding Blo cks, our unique s er ies of ess ent i a l indust r y pr imers, have b e en esp e ci a l ly successf u l, w it h over 3,500 enrolments since t hes e le ar ning prog rammes were l aunche d.

Front line st af f are ke y to generat ing c ustomer conf idence in any business and merchants are no except ion, w it h c ustomer rel at ionships and s at isfac t ion p aramount. E ach Bui lding Blo ck has six mo du les (s e e p anel for exampl es) t hat fo c us on ke y topics dire c t ly rel ate d to t he prac t ic a l us e and applic at ion of dif ferent pro duc ts.

The y are desig ne d to promote professiona l c ustomer engagement, re duce pro duc t retur ns and en hance opp or tunit ies to ups el l or incre as e re venue f rom re commending ass o ci ate d pro duc ts

Mid-Suss ex Timb er is one of t he merchants re aping t he b enef its of BMF C ampus G enera l Manager Craig R e e ves expl aine d: “BMF C ampus is an ide a l s olut ion for us b e c aus e it prov ides indust r y sp e cif ic t raining t hroug h t he supplier and BMF Bui lding Blo ck cours es t hat our st af f c an complete f lexibly ”

The courses are created in consultation with experts in their fields and updated to reflect changes in guidance, regulation, or product development While suppliers are involved in content development, the growing librar y of online learning remains product and brand agnostic Each course is delivered through an engaging mix of video, commentar y, text and diagrams, and finish with practical work and a final assessment to ensure that knowledge has been retained and can be applied.

Building Blocks are just a small part of the full content librar y available through BMF Campus And to help HR departments plug specific educational or compliance needs cost-effectively, we have consolidated associated courses into “Bundles”. These include sets of courses on key topics such as Soft Skills, Safety at Work, Microsoft and Leadership and Management training

Additionally, while many merchants use the BMF Campus platform, others may choose their own bespoke and independently branded platform Billy Wesson of Tippers explains how this works for them: “We’ve been able to incorporate our own branding throughout the platform which is a big plus for us We’ve also used ‘Learning Plans’ extensively to provide clear and tailored training paths that our staff can follow and use to keep track of their development

Sample Building Block courses/modules include

Timber as a Building Material: Introduction to Timber Building with Timber Roofing Internal Timber and Carcassing Joinery

Components for Timber Construction

Heating and Hot Water Comfort: Introduction to Central Heating System Controls Boilers, Heat Pumps and Solar Hot Water and Hot Water Storage Heat Emitters Water Treatments

Also available are Buildings Insulation, and Introduction to Residential Construction, which also comprise six separate modules

n BMF training ranges from formal Apprenticeships and, with leading British universities, sector-specific Diplomas, Degrees and a Masters Degree in Merchant Leadership and Strategy, to online product knowledge and other specialist skills training.

Stephen Badgery is the new Head of Sales at ForgeFix With years of experience in field-based sales roles in the industry, he joins from Zoo Hardware where he was Area Sales Manager covering the South East of England and East Anglia

He said: “I am delighted to join the ForgeFix team and I am looking forward to heading out on the road to meet existing and new customers One of my priorities is developing the relationship with buying groups and developing new markets fo our ForgeFast, Spectre and CorePlus brands ”

With 16 years of experience in the construction sector and has previous roles at companies including BMI Group and British Gypsum, Paul Campbell has joined Knauf UK and Ireland as Commercial Director

Paul said: “My focus will be to help shape and deliver the strategy, collaborating with customers, colleagues and our supply chain to ensure that we develop the solutions and support our customers needs ”

Azpects is pleased to welcome Georgina Hammond as its new Head of Marketing

With 15+ years of global management experience, Georgina said: “I am happy to be joining a forward-thinking business at a very exciting time By analysing industry trends and conducting market research, I will ensure that our products remain at the leading edge of innovation Samantha Norman (AIBM) has also been promoted from Business Development Manager to Head of Business Partnerships in recognition of her contribution to developing the company ’ s relationships with its major accounts Sam recently became an associate member of the Institute of Builders Merchants as well as a BMF Ambassador, helping to strengthen Azpects’ ties within the sector

readiness for the opening in early 2023 of its state-of-the-art roduction site in Corby Northamptonshire, Sundolitt has elcomed a number of new members to its management team ncluding Charles Rhodes who will head up the sales team as Commercial Sales Director Charles has a wealth of experience n the technical polymer and adhesive sector, more recently working with flexible polyurethane foam and EPS products

Also joining the business are new Factory Manager Matt Gardner and Technical Consultant Sue Ballard whilst with over 34 years ’ experience in the EPS industry, David Hughes will be supporting the team on an exclusive consultancy basis, assisting in the development the new Corby factory

Steve Forbes has been appointed Managing Director at STH Westco Coming from MASCO (Bristan Group) and having forged a successful career within the sector, Steve said: “Westco is a fantastic company with huge potential And with products and services that deliver value to our customers, I believe that what we bring to the market is second to none ”

Geoff Young also joins as Sales & Marketing Director whilst the company is recruiting several Area Sales Managers and Technical Sales Managers to better service its customers’ needs

Rockwool UK has announced two new appointments to its Merchant and DIY team

Firstly, having spent the last nine years working for two insulation companies in branch and regional director roles, Cameron Lee joins as National Sales Manager for Merchants & DIY and will lead the overall team

Having always worked within the construction industry, Rob Cookson joins as National Accounts Manager – Merchants & DIY and comes to the business following his most recent role at a roofing company, where he spent seven years in various sales positions

Hitting new heights

F i r e s t o n e B u i l d i n g P r o d u c t s h a s c h a n g e d i t s n a m e t o E l e v a t e , p a r t o f t h e H o l c i m G r o u p , t o b e g i n a n e w c h a p t e r i n i t s l o n g a n d s u c c e s s f u l h i s t o r y. P h i l i p M o o r s , U K & I r e l a n d M a n a g i n g D i r e c t o r, d i s c u s s e s t h e s t o r y s o f a r a n d o f f e r s a n i n s i g h t i n t o t h e c o m p a n y ’ s v i s i o n a n d w h a t l i e s a h e a d .

The Firestone brand was born more than a centur y ago when Har vey S Firestone founded the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in 1900 in Akron, Ohio. In 1980, the company stepped into the waterproofing industr y and Firestone Building Products began to forge its reputation as a global leader in rubber-based roofing and lining systems A focus on research and development and innovation over the last forty years has seen more than 1 5 billion sq m of single ply membranes produced and installed worldwide

In 1991, Firestone Building Products UK & Ireland was established as part of a wider growth plan to increase market share globally Over the last three decades, the UK business has rapidly expanded driven by a growing demand for EPDM and TPO roofing and lining systems across the residential and commercial sectors.

Recognising Firestone’s success and potential, Holcim acquired Firestone Building Products in April 2021 a move that saw it for the first time integrate products outside of its core business Reflecting Holcim’s ambition to accelerate further growth, the Elevate brand was revealed in June 2022

Widening our offer

As Elevate, we will become a part of Holcim’s new Building Envelope division, which forms part of its Solutions and Products business unit This will see us join a large and growing portfolio of respected brands providing a vast range of solutions to the commercial and residential sectors

Over the next three years, Holcim is aiming to significantly strengthen its market presence across the world, including Europe The Elevate brand is key to this strateg y and in the UK, this will see us cement our leading position in the EPDM industr y, including becoming more prominent in the commercial sector. Steps have already been taken to achieve these aims Our recent investment in NBS Source, which will make it easier for specifiers to access product

data, is just one example. We are also seeking to bolster our technical sales team ensuring we have the expertise to build relationships with contractors, specifiers and developers working in the commercial sector

In terms of our EPDM presence, our focus is on new product development and building awareness of the complete systems we offer, enabling the sector to benefit from roofing membranes, insulation and accessories from a single supplier.

A sustainable future

As Elevate, sustainability will run through the heart of our approach, ensuring we can continue to deliver highly durable products that minimise environmental impact while responding to our customers’ changing needs

With excellent recyclability and an extended ser vice life, EPDM is already the most environmentally friendly material available for flat and low-slope roofs But there is always room to develop and raise standards in our sector to meet changing customer and market demands an ethos shared by Holcim We must keep innovating to further minimise the impact of our products on the environment and develop long-term solutions that deliver efficiency benefits to contractors and resilient roofs for the end user.

w w w p r o f e s s i o n a l b u i l d e r s m e r c h

Be aler t to counterfeit battens

Increasing the use of recyclable materials and reducing waste is just one way that we are seeking to achieve this This is leading to ongoing investment into innovation, research and development that is driving the launch of new products as demonstrated by the recent introduction of RubberGutter EPDM SA, for waterproofing of residential and commercial gutters.

With no need to apply adhesives on site, RubberGutter EPDM SA is a self-adhered, synthetic EPDM rubber waterproofing membrane designed for gutter repair. It is installed using a release liner, which when removed can be recycled along with the packaging

From a sustainability perspective, it is chemically inert, minimises waste during application, and providers gutters with a long ser vice life As it is so quick and easy to install, it also helps contractors to overcome issues linked to skills shortages and rising labour costs, enabling them to remain competitive in an increasingly challenging market.

With the financial backing and support of Holcim, similar technologies are being developed that will not only deliver sustainability benefits, but reduce costs, labour and installation times for installers This will result in new products launching under the Elevate brand within the next three years

The next level

With a new name comes a large amount of work to change our branding across all platforms, materials and literature, which is now starting Our customers are now beginning to see Elevate on our roofing and lining products, all of which will remain in the market Our warranties, and distribution network, will also stay the same

In the meantime, we are already responding to Holcim’s ambition to accelerate green growth and Elevate is a name that symbolises that commitment It also emulates our ambition to keep moving to the next level with more innovation and advanced building products that can meet our customers’ needs now and in the future

We are looking for ward to bringing our customers with us so that we can continue to deliver advanced solutions across wider applications and sectors

A perfect storm

Exceptionally high demand for treated timber, combined with shortages and supply chain issues brought about by the pandemic, Brexit and the war in Ukraine, have created a perfect storm allowing an abundance of sub-standard roofing battens to enter the UK market

Whilst coloured, stamped and sold as BS 5534 compliant, they are in fact, counterfeit It is therefore crucial that merchants check and are 100% certain about the provenance of their battens.

Don’t be caught out

Simple checks by merchants can help avoid any issues: Essential markings

According to BS 5534, all graded battens should be clearly marked with supplier details, size, species and relevant standard It’s also best practice to display third party certification, ie: BBA.

Size Check the thickness of the batten It should be 25 mm thick with a tolerance of – 0/+3 mm

Knots The sum of both faces should be no more than the width, ie: 38 mm/50 mm Avoid battens with knots on both sides / large knots

Colour A useful visual aid, however colour is no guarantee of compliance, so check other markers.

Rot BS 5534 graded battens do not rot Discard any showing rot

Documentation All BS 5534 graded battens carry the correct documentation

Genuine quality with JB Red battens

Whilst counterfeit battens are causing a real issue, merchants can rely on Marley’s JB Red roofing battens. Produced from slow-grown timber, JB Red battens are stringently tested and graded using its dedicated roof batten scanning line Goldeneye Treated with MicroPro preser vative giving a 60-year ser vice life, they are fully BS 5534 compliant and are currently the only UK machine-graded batten available to the roofing industr y with BBA certification

roofing battens entering the market recently, with the consequences already being felt and both the NFRC and Timber Development UK issuing warnings to their members to highlight the issue.

New horizons

The collaboration is designed to provide BMF members with a comprehensive kitchen and bathroom sales package, including access to “tremendous buying advantages from a variety of kitchen and bathroom suppliers from around the UK and Europe ” In particular, this is intended to enable BMF members who do not currently sell kitchens and b at hro oms to exp and t heir business into an are a t hat is complement ar y to t heir c ur rent of fer ing , and c an “sig nif ic ant ly help improve marg ins ”

Under the plan, KBBG will also support BMF members that already have showrooms and “take their kitchen and bathroom offering to the next level ”

The organisation states that to effectively enter and succeed in this market, BMF members will need the space to display a select number of kitchen and/or bathroom layouts, a kitchen/bathroom design ser vice and a dedicated member of staff who can manage any customer enquiries Consequently, KBBG notes that its support package includes preferential rates for design training, access to two leading CAD systems from ArtiCAD or Compusoft, and “the best buying conditions” from selected kitchen and bathroom furniture suppliers

Bi l l Mi l ler, KBB G Manag ing Dire c tor, s aid: “It may s ound over w helming at f irst,

but for bui lders’ merchants, a move into s el ling k itchens and b at hro oms is a natura l f it Throug h our p ar t nership, BMF memb ers w i l l b e able to access a range of le ading k itchen and b at hro om f ur niture suppliers and b enef it f rom exclusive buy ing condit ions

“Our support package also enables BMF members access to appliance brands as well as preferential rates from ser vice providers such as Lead Wolf, Novuna consumer

T h e K i t c h e n B a t h r o o m B u y i n g G r o u p ( K B B G ) , p a r t o f l e a d i n g E u r o p e a n k i t c h e n a n d b a t h r o o m b u y i n g g r o u p D E R K R E I S , h a s a n n o u n c e d a n e w p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h t h e B u i l d e r s M e r c h a n t s F e d e r a t i o n t o s u p p o r t B M F m e m b e r s i n

“s u c c e s s f u l l y s e l l i n g k i t c h e n s a n d b a t h r o o m s . ”

considered doing so, we are confident that our partnership with KBBG will offer BMF members the support needed to achieve their full potential.”

The Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group is an organisation set up to support the business of the independent kitchen and bathroom specialists Part of the renowned European kitchen and bathroom buying group DER KREIS, the company has forty years ’ experience and a turnover in excess of 3 4 billion Euros

finance and the Used Kitchen Exchange, to help enhance their business ”

BMF CEO John Newcomb added: “At BMF, we are passionate about adding value to our members’ businesses S elling kitchens and bathrooms is a fantastic opportunity for our members to expand and strengthen their offering

“Whether our merchants already sell kitchens and bathrooms, or have never even

Currently operating in nine countries with 3,500 members, the group states that it provides a range of “exclusive tailored benefits and ser vices to support and increase the success of each independent kitchen and bathroom specialist in an effort to stay ahead of the competition and to promote the success of individual businesses ”

n For more information about the Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group UK and its parent organisation DER KREIS, enter the shortcode www rdr link/mao007

p r o f e s s i o n a l b u i l d e r s

Bill Miller, Managing Director, KBBG

BMF CEO John Newcomb

Style and substance

When it comes to colours, mixed metallic finishes are predicted to be big in 2023 This can involve combining different metallics across taps, door handles or kitchen accessories, using one colour as the main base. Gold and antique brassware remain popular colours for tapware, and copper and gold tones are an effective way to add warmth to a space.

Meanwhile, darker and more dramatic colour palettes have continued to be popular choices this year in both kitchen and bathroom tapware, and we can expect matte black finishes to remain so throughout next year Indeed, swapping out an old kitchen or bathroom tap for a new

one is an easy way to make a real impact, with black taps against a white ceramic basin providing a striking contrast

Elsewhere in the bathroom and kitchen, green and dusky pinks are both predicted to be popular colours in the kitchen and bathroom in the year ahead

Sustainable choices

Water saving remains a subject of intense discussion, and both merchants and installers have a role to play in helping educate on water-saving products Fitting flow limiters to taps or on shower handsets or hoses, for example, are an effective way to deliver some water savings.

This aerator is a small attachment that fits onto the outlet of the tap, cleverly controlling the amount of water flowing through while not affecting the feel of the water flow We have recently upgraded our existing range of basin mixer taps to include Neoperl 5ltr/min aerators, reducing waste without affecting the feel of the water flow

Making life easier

Homeowners are increasingly turning to products that put convenience front and centre, and we ’ re seeing increased demand for our range of boiling water taps Removing the need for a kettle, the 4-in-1 tap delivers hot, cold, boiling, and filtered water from a single unit.

As we move into 2023, what are the key kitchen and bathroom trends we can expect to see in the coming months? Chris Tranter, Senior Product Manager at Bristan, shares his thoughts on what the new year could hold for kitchen and bathroom design, and how merchants can best advise their customers.

If your customer is looking to purchase a boiling water tap, make sure that consider a brand that has a good if they’re installing in a hard wate area, it’s likely that, without the r filter, it will limescale up in a mat of weeks. We recently upgraded o boiling water tap ranges to incorporate a new and improved filter to ensure the best possible protection against this

E asier installs

Convenience is important for your installer customers, too O smart Easyfit technolog y, for instance, was introduced to make kitchen taps easy to fit and change and work out to be 70% quicker than a standard ‘ c ’ plate install

Another way you can help advise installers on ways to save time and work more

efficiently is showers namely, replacing the quickest of showers from our nge come with our fix Wallmount 12, ing installers a uick and easy way o isolate the water upply at the wall

In addition, it provides the option installing the adding the bar This is perfect not nt to protect the other bathroom on larger ew build projects me to understand ence your g decisions can ess and reputation ain a step ahead of

n Reflecting a number the trends set out in the main article, Bristan expanded its product portfolio last year with the launch of a new product range and the addition of black finishes and accessories across a selection of its existing products

The Mila range of contemporar y bathroom taps is available in both Chrome and Black finish options and incorporates an elongated angled sprout design with easy-to-use lever. The range features Bristan’s precision glide and secure fix components, and all come with the manufacturer’s 10-year guarantee and three years on finishes

In addition to the Mila range, the supplier also introduced a choice of Black finishes across some of its existing taps and bathroom accessories. Its Cobalt and Hourglass bathroom tap ranges will now include the option of both Chrome and Black finishes, with matching wastes, and round and square bathroom accessories for the perfect finishing touches It also introduced three new black kitchen sink mixer taps in this durable modern finish

All feature Bristan’s patented Easyfit technology kit for ease and quick installation from the top of the sink, whilst the company’s kitchen and bathroom taps are also all WRAS approved.

n For more information on Bristan’s range of products and support ser vices for merchants, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mao008

Live long and prosper

With an ageing population, longer life expectancies and an increase in the number of multigenerational households, bathroom products that promote safety and help maintain independence for as long as possible are now an increasingly important consideration for homeowners. Darren Bedford, Sales Director at Lakes, looks at the increase in the demand for safe and accessible bathroom products and what merchants need to know.

It is well documented that the UK has an ageing population with the over 85s predicted to be the fastest growing UK demographic by 2035 As people age, they change physically, mentally and psychologically and this can result in impairments in eyesight, hearing, dexterity, mobility and memor y all of which impact on a person ’ s independence

At the same time, there are now around 1 8 million households that span two or more generations, so the number of multigenerational homes is also on the rise. Inevitably these changing societal factors have resulted in a growing number of properties needing to be adapted to help older people live independently in their own

homes for as long as possible Slips, trips, and falls tend to happen more frequently in bathrooms, particularly for older people or for anyone with mobility issues or disabilities In fact, over 35% of bathroom-related injuries sustained by people above the age of 15 are caused when they are bathing or taking a shower

So, in order to help customers futureproof their bathrooms, merchants must ensure that their range of bathroom products suit the demands of all users, including making them more accessible and inclusive for those who are older or less mobile

There are several important things to consider when advising customers about

planning accessible bathrooms Ease of access will be the number one priority, particularly when it comes to the shower area, so it is important to factor in the specific dimensions of any walking aids or wheelchairs that might be required by less mobile or older members of the household before deciding on what type of shower enclosure is best

A wet room is often an ideal solution for all members of the family, whatever their age or capabilities Maximising the available space in the bathroom, a wet room tends to offer a much larger showering space than a traditional enclosure and has no shower tray threshold to manoeuvre around, avoiding trip hazards for all users.

However, if this isn’t possible due to plumbing restrictions, then a low-profile shower tray that sits at approximately 45mm high could be used instead, providing a more accessible shower entrance than standard height trays Low threshold trays make it easy for both young and old users to access the shower, while non-slip trays are a much safer option for vulnerable age groups

If a more traditional shower layout is preferred then outward opening doors or sliding doors are good options for accessible

bathrooms, rather than bi-fold doors which may be awkward for wheelchair access.

Something else to consider is that it can become more challenging to clean the tight square footage and glass of a shower enclosure as people age or become less mobile Advanced AllClear glass from Lakes provides the perfect solution with its stay-clean coating technolog y that repels water, limescale and soap scum resulting in far less cleaning in the long run

It is also important to ensure that the glass has a suitable thickness and is made from toughened safety glass approved to BSI EN12150-1 for added protection and safety.

Additional safety measures such as handrails for added stability or a shower seat for comfort and relief from standing are also a good idea A shower seat is a particularly advantageous feature within an accessible bathroom design, and they can be mounted on the wall and folded away when not in use.

Available in a range of sizes and finishes, grab rails can be installed horizontally, vertically or at an angle to meet the needs of the user and the layout of the bathroom Widely available in a variety of styles and finishes, these features can be incorporated into any bathroom design, complementing the overall design scheme rather than standing out

Finally, it is important to remember that bathrooms can be both accessible to all members of the family and still be elegant and relaxing spaces. Lakes Ambient walk-in is a stylish option for multi-generational households Designed to offer a calming, soothing and tranquil shower experience, the unique Ambient Walk-In features a PIR motion-sensor that triggers a built-in LED lighting system along the edge of the glass panel, emitting a low-level soft glow.

By adding a low threshold, non-slip shower tray, seat and reassuring grab rails, Ambient is ideal for people of all ages and levels of mobility living within the same household

For more information on Lakes’ range of products and support services for merchants, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mao009

n

“In order to help customers futureproof their bathrooms, merchants must ensure that their range of bathroom products suit the demands of all users, including making them more accessible and inclusive for those who are older or less mobile.”

Levelling up

Taps have always been a functional purchase for the kitchen but over the years, even this most humble and essential of kitchen fixtures has evolved. Take the choice of styles as a clear example of this The look of the tap can really help to shift the design of the kitchen up a level and that’s why today there is such a wide array of styles, sizes and even materials to choose from

This is certainly one area where merchants can differentiate themselves, with the chance to offer installers and end users alike something a bit different from the norm

However, there is another trend making waves in the kitchen tap world and that involves technolog y Born out of the trend towards industrial-style kitchen design, professional taps and those with added functionality are increasingly sought-after And where once such technolog y would carr y a weighty price tag, it is now

increasingly available for entr y and mid-markets too

That’s good news for the merchant looking to take stock of products that help designers and installers create kitchens that stand out For the installer, such entr y-level tap technolog y helps them add value to their kitchen designs, giving the end user an on-trend space that is big on function and on style

So, what type of technolog y are we talking about here? Ultimately, it is that which adds a new level of convenience to the kitchen, while tapping into the trend for professional styling Taps with a pull-out spout, for example, are fast becoming a must-have for performing tasks other than simply washing up And when the kitchen is increasingly being used as a multi-functional space, perhaps the popularity of such models comes as no great surprise.

How can merchants help installers add value to their kitchen designs with entry-level tap technology? Adding extra functionality to the kitchen brassware doesn’t necessarily carry a high price tag these days, so what are the opportunities for tapping into the trend for professional, industrialstyle kitchen design and at what cost to the merchant? Daniel Boulton, Clearwater’s Procurement & Technical Manager, gives us some answers.

Pull-out taps are a valuable aid for rinsing down the sink after use, washing veg and filling large pots It’s all about greater convenience, after all. And the latest in tap technolog y and design takes this one step further, with the next generation of models featuring twin-flow spouts that can deliver standard aerated flow for filling and needle jet spray for rinsing, all in one sleek and modern-looking tap

In hot water

There’s even more technolog y than that on tap in the kitchen these days too, of course. The market for filtered water taps and those that dispense near to boiling hot water has grown, with as many as one in five UK kitchens now featuring one, according to Trend Monitor

Again, this technolog y was once relatively expensive, so the trend began at the higher

Product focus

n Described by Clearwater as the perfect way to introduce this design-led yet highly practical trend for professional taps into the kitchen at entr y level, the Topaz tap is fitted with a Twist and Spray aerator, providing two flow types that can be changed with a simple twist of the aerator

Saving time, water and energy, meanwhile, the brand’s Magus Kettle taps offer a raft of reasons to upgrade a sale from standard brassware and add value to a sale. For example, the Magus 4 Electronic is billed as “the complete package,” combining elegant design with intuitive controls that deliver four water options The left-hand LED electronic control dispenses 98°C filtered water at the touch of a button while the right-hand lever delivers domestic hot and cold water and fresh tasting cold filtered water

Finally, the company’s Bellatrix model is a professionalstyle filter tap with a detachable and directional silicone spout offering two spray modes for filling and rinsing. The swivel retaining arm contains its own water conduit for filtered water

end of the market As technolog y has developed, production costs have reduced and the opportunity for merchants to grab a piece of the hot water tap action is now ver y much here

What’s driving the market?

Convenience is number one, although sustainability and the eco concerns of the consumer are also having an influence, particularly in terms of filtered water taps which reduce the need for single use plastic bottles Particularly in terms of filtered water taps, the cost saving is considerable compared to purchasing bottled water and also saves time and energ y carr ying heavy bottles from the supermarket

We hear from our customers time and again that once they’ve had a hot water tap fitted, they wondered how they ever did without it and that’s all down to the level convenience this technolog y brings to the modern kitchen No more water for the kettle to boil, which means clearer worktops and great tasting water literally on tap

In fact, it’s such a popular idea that we are now seeing more consumers installing secondar y compact models, alongside their main tap or as part of a secondar y sink set-up and even in their home office for an instant coffee fix when working or for making the perfect brew when entertaining

Of course, technolog y never really stands still and that is certainly true of this market, with hands-free, sensor-controlled models taking this convenience to the next level still. It’s important to note too that none of this gadgetr y comes at the expense of style In fact, with a wide choice of finishes available, consumers can have the best of all worlds

While much of this tap technolog y is perhaps not so new at the top-end of the market, its filtration down to the lower, more budget conscious end of the scale presents merchants with a solid opportunity to help their customers create high-end kitchen design, where quality, function and style combine

n For more information on Clearwater’s range of products and support ser vices for merchants, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mao010

New beginnings

As part of what it describes as “an ambitious five-year growth plan to double the size of the business,” Hansgrohe is investing more than £5m into its UK subsidiary.

The investment sees the leading taps and showers manufacturer “focus on increasing employee numbers across all functions, enhancing marketing programmes and developing a UK specific product roadmap, culminating in the creation of a new, purpose-built head office in War wickshire.”

Having outgrown its existing facilities in Esher, Surrey, the move to the Tournament Fields development to the south-west of War wick “plays a key role in the company ’ s growth plans and ambition to become a complete bathroom provider.” The new head office is in excess of 40,000 square ft and is more than double the size of its existing facilities

Expected to be fully operational from July 2023, the new location has easy access from the M40, making it ideal as a central hub for its office and distribution activities.

Furthermore, the company says the move will bring the business “ even closer to customers with more opportunities to interact face-to-face through a state-of-the-art showroom and training facility, supported by a customer services operation and strong stock availability, all under one roof ”

e architectural and design community in particular is said to be already well-ser ved through Hansgrohe’s contemporar y ‘Water

Studio’ in Clerkenwell, central London, and this facility will remain in place to ensure designers and specifiers have access to products and expert advice in the south east too.

e new head office in War wick will include almost 5,000 square  of dedicated showroom space to showcase its portfolio of high-quality, water efficient showers, taps, and accessories To further strengthen its offering to the trade, the site will also see an expansion in training facilities for its installer customers, with the addition of an Installer Academy, providing enhanced access to technical expertise and hands-on, practical experience

Jay Phillips (pictured), Managing Director of Hansgrohe UK&I, commented: “ is is an incredibly exciting time for ever yone associated with Hansgrohe UK&I We have ambitious plans to take Hansgrohe for ward in the coming years, and the investment in this state-of-the-art new head office is a vital part of making this a success

“Having ever ything available under one roof, from a spacious showroom and training, to warehousing and distribution, will ensure we ’ re able to best meet the needs of our busy customers and support them with their business is also reinforces our goal to be the ‘easiest to do business with’ partner and will further improve our already

high levels of stock and ser vice ”

e company is providing roles for everyone who currently works at the Esher site and comprehensive support has been put in place to assist employees during the transition.

Jay added: “Our people are a huge part of our plans and we ’ re looking for ward to them joining us on this journey. We’ll continue to operate from our Esher site to ensure there are no disruptions to service during the transition period We plan to be fully operational by summer next year with the showroom and Installer Academy designed and built specifically for the needs of the UK market

“We have a great brand and products, and an amazing team here at Hansgrohe UK&I, and now we will have an ideal new head office we can all be proud to call our home.”

n For more information on Hansgrohe’s range of products and support ser vices for merchants — including a mobile showroom which can offer training to merchants and their customers enter the shortcode www rdr link/mao011

Jay Phillips, Managing Director of Hansgrohe UK&I

NEOPERL ECOBOOSTER

According to Waterwise around 12% of a household’s gas is used to heat water for showers, baths and taps, confirming that using less water this winter will reduce energy bills Accordingly, Neoperl says that its retrofittable Ecobooster offers an easy water-saving fix for a tap or shower

MULTIPANEL WALL PANEL UPGRADE

Due to the ongoing war between Russia and the Ukraine, Multipanel stopped the importation of all Russian goods This meant the cessation of procurement of Russian sourced plywood, which before the outbreak of war, accounted for around 85% of the global Birch plywood market. Manufactured in the Republic of Ireland and sustainably sourced from forests which have FSC and PEFC certification, Medite Exterior Grade MDF has been selected as the new core material Said to offer a number of performance benefits, the new core is designed to withstand extreme conditions and when installed is “perfect for areas of frequent prolonged exposure to running or condensed water.”

Multipanel bathroom wall panels are available in a range of surface designs, including marble, granite, wood and tile effect

KUDOS MATT BLACK FINISH

Kudos Shower Products has introduced a new matt black finish to its Inspire collection of over-bath screens, available from January 2023.

METHVEN ONE BOOK

With over 180 pages of detailed product descriptions, pricing, cut-out and lifestyle images, the latest One Book brochure from Methven provides stockists and professional installers with all the technical specifications for Methven’s extensive portfolio of premium showers, tapware and accessories

The One Book is separated into showers and tapware by Methven, followed by Deva showers and tapware, with both collections featuring kitchen and bathroom ranges designed for commercial and domestic use Highlights include the new Deva Ashworth sink mixers, which are optimised to operate on low pressure systems and come in four stylish finishes: chrome, copper, brushed brass, and matte black.

The Ecobooster has a default mode offering a water-saving flow rate and a boost mode allowing for higher water flow on demand To fill a bath or kitchen sink quickly the device can be switched to the boost mode, but under the default water saving mode the tap works adequately for rinsing dishes, washing hands or cleaning teeth n Head

The screen is characterised by its minimalist frameless design and innovative click-to-lock hinges that hold the screen in place. All models are manufactured in toughened safety glass finished with LifeShield an easy clean, protective coating and with twin element SmartSeal protection from leaking Available in 6 or 8mm glass and in single, two, three and four panel options the Inspire screens are larger than average, measuring 1500mm in height and from 850mm to 1250mm wide to provide a more generous showering area

RANGEMASTER RUSTIQUE COMPACT

Bolstering its Rustique collection of fireclay ceramic sinks, Rangemaster has introduced a compact 1 5-bowl model to offer stockists and homeowners even more choice and flexibility. Available in a timeless White Gloss finish, the 1.5-bowl model is purposefully designed to fit a 600mm cabinet, ensuring it is suitable for a range of worktop and kitchen styles, and it can be fitted as either an undermount for a modern, seamless look or inset for a more traditional finish

The sink measures 557 x 430 x 220mm overall with a main bowl size of 330 x 367 x 189mm and a half-bowl measuring 146 x 367 x 189mm A waste kit is supplied as standard in addition to a 10-year warranty

Lightening the load

What started as a simple threecrane order five years ago has grown into a sustained partnership between Cheltenham-based Bence Builders Merchants and Hiab e Hiab L-HiDuo 135LL-1 cranes, rear mounted to MAN TGM 26 6x2 trucks, are said to have assisted Bence in providing a high standard of customer ser vice and productivity whilst the family-run business has grown its Hiab fleet from three to nine cranes over the last five years and it has plans to gradually replace the remaining fleet with Hiab cranes in the near future

As well as the initial product sales, the aer-sales ser vice provided by Hiab’s authorised ser vice centre (ASC) Micklegate Fluid Power, is described as having been crucial in securing and retaining business with Bence over the years.

Clive Taylor, the merchant’s Operations Manager, said: “It is great having Micklegate

on hand for all our servicing needs ey always come to service our vehicles in the morning, and by the aernoon if any repairs are needed, we ’ re notified straight away along with a quote, and they are repaired as soon as possible ey are always on time and consistently go above and beyond for us. ey really are like an extended part of our team ”

e Hiab L-HiDuo crane is specifically designed to provide “unparalleled productivity for loading and unloading heavy building materials” e crane can be fitted with up to three hydraulic extensions and is operated using the crane specialist’s XS Drive radio remote-control, giving the operator safe, productive performance with true efficiency.

Clive continued: “We switched to Hiab following bad experiences with a previous supplier and we instantly knew it was the right choice when we met their sales representative who was knowledgeable and

understanding of our needs We originally put in an order for three cranes and now, five years on, we have nine Hiab cranes in our fleet and plan to gradually replace the remaining cranes in our fleet with Hiab’s too “ e product knowledge, professionalism, and bespoke ser vice Hiab offer us is unmatched and the reliability the products bring to us, our team and our customers makes them great to work with. ey really are the full package ”

John Abbott, Sales Executive for Hiab UK, added: “Bence Builders Merchants is a long-standing, valued customer and it’s been a pleasure to work with them and watch them grow over the last five years Success stories like this are only made possible by our service partners who are key stakeholders at all points of contact from building the initial relationship, right through to the end of the equipment's lifespan

“Micklegate is a prime example of the standards we set for all of our ser vice centres, and we can’t thank the team there enough for the work they continue to provide for us and our customers ”

Paul Gibson, MD at Micklegate Fluid Power, commented: “We welcome the opportunity to work with dynamic and expanding local businesses and we ’ ve developed a close working relationship with Bence over the years Our technical team have over 100 years of combined experience with Hiab products, and we are continually investing in our fleet, systems, and staff training in line with our customer's needs, so we can continue to deliver the best possible ser vice ”

n For more information on Hiab, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mao017

A leading independent builders’ merchant in Gloucestershire has credited Hiab’s after-sales support as one of the main reasons for its continued custom. PBM reports.

Responsible drivers

Taking the next step on its road to net zero, TG Lynes has introduced low carbon Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) vehicles to its fleet. The heating, plumbing and air movement distributor has started using HVO in two of its 18 tonne lorries which were running on diesel, with the switch said to make them 90% more carbon efficient

For easy on-site refuelling, the business has also installed a 10,000 litre HVO tank at its Enfield base

HVO is described as a cleaner alternative to diesel and is manufactured from 100% renewable and sustainable waste, including

vegetable oil, tallow and used cooking oil. Andrew Ingram, General Manager at TG Lynes, said: “We’re delighted to have introduced HVO to these two Euro 6 vehicles in our fleet HVO is much better for the environment than diesel and the projected carbon saving through the course of 2023 is more than 12.5 tonnes.

“ To put that into perspective, an average car would emit the same amount of carbon were it to drive 23,000 miles or once around the world TG Lynes is committed to achieving the ultimate goal of net zero by making tangible changes across all areas of the business This move is just one part of that pledge ”

Indeed, Andrew said the business was considering rolling out HVO across its entire fleet of delivery vehicles throughout 2023, potentially saving 220 tonnes of carbon As well as the HGVs, the delivery fleet also includes 3 5 tonne vans and an electric bike, whilst TG Lynes’ company vehicles are already 95% hybrid or fully electric and the business has its own EV charge points on site

The firm also has a 110kw solar system installed on the roof of its headquarters, providing more than 50% of the energ y required for operations

Andrew added: “From fuel combustion to being sustainable when purchasing

electricity and recycling to choosing ethical suppliers, we are taking decisive action to ensure we are doing ever ything we can to lower our impact on the environment. Sustainability is not just a buzz word for TG Lynes it has authenticity”

Safety is a further key consideration for the company, and it has recently invested in state-of-the-art technolog y to warn its deliver y drivers of potential hazards on the road. It is now in the process of adding Brigade’s Sidescan Predict system an intelligent side detection system developed for rigid vehicles with large blind spots to its entire fleet of HGV vehicles

Six ultrasonic sensors on the side of the vehicle detect objects and vulnerable road users, whether they are stationar y or moving The technolog y then calculates the risk of collision and alerts the driver either visually or audibly, depending on the risk.

TG Lynes plans to have the technology installed on a quarter of its distribution fleet by March next year, with Andrew Ingram commenting: “We are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to make life easier and safer for all of our colleagues (and) it is crucial that vehicles with complex blind spots utilise technology to help reduce collisions

“Brigade’s Sidescan Predict system is one of the most technically sophisticated

Lynes’ latest investment in its transport fleet.

products available. It will offer peace of mind to our drivers and false alarms are significantly reduced, meaning they can be confident in the accuracy of the warning ”

The company has used other Brigade safety products for more than 10 years and, in conjunction with driver training and regular internal safety briefings, it says it has managed to avoid any serious incidents with vulnerable road users, including pedestrians,

cyclists, horse riders and motorbikes.

Andrew added: “Safety is a top priority for us The protocols and safety equipment we have put in place, in conjunction with internal and external training, have enabled us to reduce near-miss incidents and has eradicated any side-swipe incidents and road traffic collisions.”

The Sidescan Predict system remains switched on when the vehicle’s speed is below

22mph, regardless of the indicator selection, and cannot be deactivated by the driver.

Emily Hardy, Brigade’s Marketing Manager, said: “Unlike existing systems, which simply register the presence of a potential obstacle, Sidescan Predict is constantly gathering data in a vehicle’s vicinity This provides additional benefits to operators by significantly reducing false alarms and increasing confidence in the accuracy of warning alerts

“We are delighted to add Sidescan Predict to our range of commercial vehicle safety systems and we are confident that it will make a positive impact to road and worksite safety and preventing fatalities ”

n For more information on Brigade’s vehicle safety products, enter the shortcode www rdr link/mao018

Powering the future?

With the growing drive to tackle the root causes of climate change, companies of all sizes now demand the most sustainable energ y solutions for their forklift f leets. HVO the latest fuel to come on to the market is said to allow IC engine-powered forklift truck users to cut their net CO2 emissions by as much as 90%, reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx), and cut both particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions

Part of the paraffinic family of fuels, HVO hydrotreated vegetable oil is clean and safe, and meets all relevant fuel standards and EN 15940:2016 specifications A low carbon, low emission, fossil-free, environmentally-friendly and sustainable alternative to conventional fossil diesel, it is unsurprising that many experts consider that HVO has a vital role to play in helping the UK achieve its 2050 net zero target for greenhouse gas emissions.

Endorsed by a wide range of original engine manufacturers, HVO is synthetically produced using a complex refiner y process that removes oxygen from vegetable oil and waste animal fat molecules and creates hydrocarbons ver y similar to regular diesel But it is important to understand that HVO is not biodiesel: it is fundamentally different and, as such, doesn’t suffer from any of the negative issues sometimes associated with biodiesel

Impurities are removed from the fuel during the production c ycle leaving a consistent, quality product that significantly reduces harmful emissions from diesel engines To add to HVO’s green credentials, only completely renewable materials are used in the production process and the crops from which the fuel is made are grown and har vested without damaging the environment or the natural ecosystem

Already used to power a wide range of modern vehicles as well as construction machiner y and industrial

power systems, HVO is considered an eco-upgrade on diesel because it is a fuel that not only reduces emissions and burns more cleanly, but is also safer to handle than mineral diesel while reduced particulate production during the combustion process reduces the ageing of engine oils and improves local air quality.

One of the biggest advantages of HVO is the fact that truck users do not need to modif y their diesel-powered forklifts to use it For example, nearly all Toyota industrial IC engines will run perfectly with HVO fuel and, importantly, no changes are required to the daily running or ser vicing regimes of Toyota diesel engines if the switch to HVO is made.

A further plus-point is the fact that, because HVO is 100% interchangeable with conventional fossil diesel, it can be blended at any ratio so forklift users can simply ‘top-up and go ’ without any need to drain or clean fuel tanks This ability to be interchanged with an absolute

Sam Gray, Toyota Material Handling UK’s Sales Training and Product Development Manager, discusses HVO fuel a new alternative to fossil diesel that is said to cut the net CO2 emissions of IC engine-powered forklifts by as much as 90%

n At a time when companies are focused on keeping business costs to a minimum, Toyota Material Handling UK is urging merchants to maintain a strict maintenance and ser vicing regime

Andy Pritchard, the company’s Ser vice Sales Manager, said: “A regular ser vicing and maintenance regime is the best way of preventing significant truck downtime and all the cost and disruption to a business that can entail And, with repair costs for serious truck damage rising, a commitment to forklift maintenance and ser vicing is becoming more important than ever

“Regardless of whether your business operates a single pallet truck or a large fleet of varied materials handling equipment, when sourcing forklift trucks it is important to deal with an organisation that has the infrastructure in place to guarantee the highest levels of lift truck ser vice and maintenance support.”

Toyota says that it offers a range of after-sales care and support packages to suit the business needs of companies of all sizes operating in all industry sectors For example, the ‘full service’ package involves a

minimum of fuss has been recognised and most major engine manufacturers’ warranties will support an instant switch from diesel to HVO.

Possibly the only downside is that when it comes to price HVO is slightly

comprehensive parts and labour plan that covers preventative maintenance, breakdowns and parts used in service and breakdown repairs

more expensive than traditional diesel However, with the high-profile of climate change and environmental concerns always close to the top of the business agenda, many lift truck users believe that the relatively modest extra

cost is a price worth paying to be seen to be doing the right thing for the planet

n For more information on HVO and Toyota’s full range of forklifts, enter the shortcode www rdr link/mao019

FUELGENIE FUELGENIE+

Providing fleet users and small businesses with a “convenient network of locations to top up their tank for less,” fuelGenie has expanded its petrol station network significantly with the launch of fuelGenie+, which can be used at most Shell forecourts The network now extends to around 2,200 locations, including over 900 Shell sites as well as at Tesco’s, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s.

Among the other benefits fuelGenie+ includes “more access to 24/7 petrol stations for drivers, higher forecourt canopies for larger vehicles or vans, and the opportunity for customers to collect Shell Go+ rewards when they fill up ”

OHRA RACK CLAD BUILDING

In a new OHRA rack clad building constructed from cantilever racks, customers of German building materials supplier BAUKING’s Lorup site can now find all timber goods stored centrally in one place Compared to the firm’s previous storage solution, the racking system also offers significantly more capacity, allowing BAUKING to stock a larger number of different items

One challenge in the project planning were slopes of 0 7% in two directions to facilitate the drainage of the outdoor storage area To compensate for the slope, OHRA utilised a special roof construction in which the roof arms of the racks are not connected to each other and a “gap” of 10 centimetres remains between them that is concealed by a flexibly attached ridge cap This solution not only keeps the interior dry, but also prevents tensions and vibrations from being transmitted between the runs of racking

n For more information on OHRA’s range of storage and racking solutions, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mao021

RENAULT TRUCKS

ELECTRIC T AND C MODELS

Renault Trucks has unveiled the models of its heavy-duty all-electric range the E-Tech T and C These new models, which are designed for regional distribution and construction, and are the first to bear the manufacturer’s new logo, will be produced in series at the firm’s factory in Bourg-en-Bresse from 2023 and are now available for pre-order

The arrival of Renault Trucks’ all-electric heavy-duty range is said to mark a major step forward in the manufacturer’s commitment to decarbonising road freight transport, laying claim to being “the only company to provide an electric

offer for all uses, from a 650 kg cargo bike to a 44 t electric tractor and construction truck ”

n Find out more about fuelGenie+ via www.rdr.link/mao020

FUSO

NEW CANTER AND ECANTER

n Further details can be found via www.rdr.link/mao022

Whether with the Next Generation eCanter or the new Canter, Daimler Truck subsidiary FUSO says it has the right answer in its portfolio for the industry in both the battery-electric and conventional commercial vehicle segments. Both vehicles are said to offer intelligent solutions for a wide range of customer requirements in the light truck segment, thanks to their “robustness coupled with high payload, manoeuvrability and reliability ”

While the electric truck was previously only available as a 7 49-tonner with a wheelbase of 3,400 millimetres, customers now have a choice of six wheelbases between 2,500 and 4,750 millimetres and a permissible gross weight of 4 25 to 8 55 tonnes Three different battery packs enable ranges of between 70 and 200 kilometres

The latest model of the conventional Canter, meanwhile, is said to represent another significant upgrade in terms of safety, comfort and cab design One option (pictured) is a 7 49-tonne truck with a three-way tipper from Meiller and a crane from Atlas

n For further details on the full range, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mao023

mobility

To understand how UK wholesalers and distributors have faced profitability challenges during a period of significant turbulence, OGL Software surveyed decision-makers at SMEs about their concerns and priorities, the current state of technology adoption and how they have fared when transforming their businesses. Offering a perspective broader than just the merchant sector, OGL’s Chief Operating Officer Sharon Moreno takes us through the results.

Wider perspectives

Covid, Brexit, the continued reliance on manual processes and supply chain issues are revealed to be the greatest factors affecting profitability for architectural, engineering and building sector businesses in 2022

A new sur vey commissioned by OGL Software entitled Profitability in UK Wholesale Businesses focused on companies that stock and supplying tools such as handheld laser distance meters, architect scales, power tools, ladders to trolleys, and provide equipment including welding machines, workwear and safety equipment, to providers and commercial businesses across the architectural, engineering and building sectors.

The market size of the architectural industr y is £6 5 billion in revenue in 2022, for example, with the UK construction sector contributing more than £110 billion

per annum and nearly 7% of GDP. The engineering and building sectors are one of the UK’s broadest with 5 5 million people working in those industries, accounting for 18% of all UK employment With the rapid increase in the need for housing, there is continued demand for architectural, engineering and building ser vices, made more prominent by the return to work after 2020’s extended lockdown period

The pandemic coupled with Brexit hit supply chains hard, with many businesses pivoting to online sales This is reflected in the top technolog y priorities for the next 12–24 months as business performance reporting (50%), linking ERP with ecommerce (33%) and managing inventor y (33%) revealed as among the most important by sur vey respondents

To manage the after effects of the coronavirus, business priorities focused on

having a more flexible business model (92%), improving sales strategy and route to market (91%), upgrading and improving IT systems (91%) and visibility of reporting (83%).

The pandemic has led to supply chain challenges, with some businesses stockpiling products and parts to ensure supply. Manual processes are still plaguing businesses, leaving them behind the cur ve with regards to digital transformation

Architectural, Engineering and Building businesses all noted that using technolog y to automate their business processes (92% for each sector) was more key for their businesses over and above technolog y being vital to those companies But, that confidence in automation technolog y really showcases use of technolog y in all forms, including automaton, is helping business processes, which in turn enables those companies to remain competitive

Indeed, technolog y is at the heart of efforts to increase profitability as we enter another potentially uncertain economic period. 91% of respondents agreed that automating business processes helps their companies stay competitive, up from 70% (engineering) / 88% (architectural and building) pre-pandemic

A key finding of the research was the wide spread of technologies used and the disparate nature of systems that are not necessarily “talking to each other” to provide a full view of operations On this point, architectural, engineering and building businesses use a range of software systems to function more than 95% of respondents use one or more software application to run their business, from inventor y / stock control to accounting software and CRM (customer relationship management).

Indicative of some of the issues also facing builders’ merchants, Sphinx Industrial Supplies provides welding-specific products and accessories for industrial use and the company ’ s Finance Director, Sophie Donnelly, commented that one of the major factors affecting profitability was ensuring that there was a centralised system in place to digitise all business processes This was something that Sphinx did, transforming its business by switching out manual processes to ERP software, which has been beneficial in providing visibility and accuracy of stock,

while assisting with sales and orders online Sophie explained how the integration of that technolog y has helped the company streamline ever ything, stating: “We wanted to expand without employing more people and the system helps massively to manage all our sales channels because we can easily see and control all our stock in one place It’s the little things [the system does] that work for us which we don’t even think of now, like printing an order confirmation or picking list, that the previous system just couldn’t do “We use the system in everything we do Online sales revenue increased by 300%. One of the biggest compliments we get is ‘that was so quick’ when receiving orders If a local business wants an item that’s in stock, we can pick it and get it on the van in the hour”

As the pandemic accelerated digital transformation, cloud computing continues to be a driver for change, with 83% of respondents agreeing that hosting applications and data in the cloud have improved efficiencies and productivity (or would if cloud were implemented)

Critically ERP systems are a key technolog y with 92% agreeing that ERP systems give greater availability and control of stock ERP refers to a suite of integrated software that businesses use to manage day-to-day business activities, such as sales order management, stock control, finance, CRM and more

Positively, there is a greater degree of acceptance of cloud technolog y and understanding that ERP systems are not just for larger companies Manual processes are still a hindrance as are disparate systems, both of which lead to inefficiencies A single view of a business, especially of inventor y levels, and integrated technologies will lead to better profitability, increased productivity and accurate data for planning.

In conclusion, Architectural, engineering and building firms need to streamline their businesses like never before to ensure that they efficiently and quickly meet demand

OGL Software is a leading UK ERP software company, first established in 1976 Its software is designed specifically for merchants, distributors and wholesalers of all kinds, and counts its total number of users in the thousands across several sectors.

n For more information, and to read the full report, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mao024

“A single view of a business, especially of inventor y levels, and integrated technologies will lead to better profitability, increased productivity and accurate data for planning.”

Using

conducted by ECI Software Solutions. PBM reports.

A window of opportunity

Supply chain issues, rising inflation rates and a reduction in orders due to customers tightening their belts were all cited as the top concerns for those in the industr y Moreover, cost pressures have heightened in 2022 as the Ukraine conflict caused stock uncertainty as a result of severe disruptions in the global market

More detail on these findings has been published in ECI’s new report, How Builders’ Merchants Have Adapted to the Economy in 2022, however companies also highlighted various digital solutions as the “window of opportunity” for traders struggling with the pressure on stock-levels as prices become more unpredictable

Contributing to the report, Gareth Belsham, Director at Naismiths, said without inter vention, those in the industr y could face higher pressures this winter : “ The flood of new orders seen at the start of the year is slowing to a trickle The cooling of demand did ease some of the inflationar y pressures though, and input cost inflation has now dipped to its lowest level for 18 months

“Looking ahead, most construction firms are busy and order books remain relatively

full but the picture for 2023 does look increasingly grim ”

Accordingly, builders’ merchants have been encouraged to invest in cloud-based technologies and business management software (ERP) to maintain a healthy level of stock at optimal prices whilst also improving efficiencies

Expanding the point, Craig Sanders, joint Managing Director at Protrade, commented on how the state of the current challenge was more than the industr y has seen from the last two decades He said: “We have had years of no major distractions within the construction industr y, and it feels like they have all been compounded in the last couple.

“An area where we feel many builders, merchants and distribution businesses are lagging behind is in the lack of investment in their IT infrastructure Modern operating systems and eCommerce platforms drive [a reduction in] inefficiencies and help with customer satisfaction ”

He continued: “It’s only a matter of time before businesses wake up to the constraints and limitations of their legacy systems and

cumbersome websites The cloud has changed the information technolog y landscape and the degree of technical quality that is now available at our fingertips is incredible but underutilised ”

Considering the findings of the report, Chris Fisher, ECI’s VP of LBMH division, EMEA, said: “ The economic landscape is one that many of us have never experienced before. For those in the building materials sector, it’s clear that there’s a lot of concern and uncertainty about the coming months

“ The longer-term picture requires a step change, and the silver lining is the abundance of technolog y available Digitalisation and the cloud can be your hardest working employee, freeing your team up to spend on strateg y Those who embrace change will be able to feel more secure, invest in employee retention and have the flexibility to adapt as the economic cycle continues to fluctuate.”

n For more information on ECI and to read its full report, enter the shortcode www rdr link/mao025

digital technologies to gain a better understanding of stock levels and manage materials costs will be key to tackling challenges caused by the economy, according to a new poll of builders’ merchants

BORDER MERCHANT SYSTEMS

STRONG FOUNDATIONS

Border Merchant Systems says it goes into 2023 with a “strong year of development” behind it. The company has continued to develop its CounterAct merchant software, and describes 2022 as a “stellar year” of upgrades and improvements

Overall, it delivered a reported 900+ system changes, tweaks, and enhancements Two of those included payment integrations; the first with Dojo from Paymentsense to provide a reliable merchant chip and pin payment solution whilst the second was with Prommt giving a secure way of taking payments when a customer is not present at the trade counter

The business also delivered a “time saving and accuracy boosting integration” with Trintech which “takes the manual intervention out of payment reconciliation work ”

Border’s support processes also got a revamp with the launch of its Service Desk, Jira platform for logging support enquiries. The system allows support requests to be actioned more quickly and efficiently, providing customers with a greater visibility of where tickets are in the resolution process

Big plans are being set for this year too The company is “very close” to launching a new electronic proof of delivery app which includes a customer website link for tracking deliveries It also has what3words functionality to make locating delivery sites far easier.

In addition, it will be launching its Account Portal II update in 2023 This is an online platform for Border customers to brand as their own and allow their trade customers to view invoices and orders, make payments, perform admin tasks etc and the new version has been designed to make the set-up process quicker and easier

All updates are based on user feedback and the business will be present at the NMBS Exhibition in April as well as hosting a series of in person and online user events

n To find out more or to book a system demo, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mao026

OPEN ECX

DIGITAL TRANSPARENCY

The eTrading specialist says that transparency in the construction industry is essential and from carbon reporting to supply chain tracking, it is now more important than ever for organisations and public bodies to have quick and simple access to accurate data

For example, it says that since the introduction of the Procurement Policy Note (PPN) in 2021 that obliged Scope-3 emissions reporting for public sector work, many companies have been slow to adapt, meaning it could cause significant problems for future works and signals a problem in the industry with adaptability

The firm argues that the solution to this lies in digitising systems and embracing the technology that facilitates accurate data transfer, invoicing, and supply chain monitoring Accordingly, Open ECX is supporting the construction industry with innovation solutions that can help the supply chain adapt whilst ensuring cash flow remains buoyant

n For further information about OpenECX, enter www.rdr.link/mao027

PUSHON

DIGITAL SHOWROOMS

A full-service digital agency focusing on eCommerce, PushOn is urging merchants to consider how digital showrooms can help the industry enhance the customer experience, improve product performance and ultimately boost sales

It argues that the building and construction sectors have “historically been somewhat laggard” when it comes to digital diversification, and yet the disruption felt by the pandemic means trade customers are now embracing technology that can enable purchasing and research. As such, it contends, it is not a surprise that 75% of sector professionals are planning to increase their investment in this space

Online sales channels are also creating opportunities to sell direct-to-consumers (D2C) for the first time As well as being an additional revenue stream, the company argues that one of the biggest advantages with D2C lies in the potential to ‘own’ the customer experience and create an enhanced experience based on their preferences

For organisations at the start of their journey, PushOn says it can help ensure that the move towards digital will pay off and offers “tangible advice” including the key considerations for picking the right platform, how a good UX can encourage basket building as well as the additional opportunities that an online sales channel can provide especially at a time when supply chains are still disrupted

n Use www rdr link/mao028 to find out more

SNICKERS

WORKWEAR WINTER JACKETS

It can be tough when working outside in cold, wet or windy weather for long periods and that’s when users will need to keep safe from the elements with their own protective shell Snickers Workwear says that its Winter Jackets can provide the perfect weatherproof outer-layer to deliver effective wind and water protection to keep the wearer warm and dry whilst also ensuring the effectiveness of the clothing underneath.

The company’s new FlexiWork Quilted Jacket, for example, is windproof, water-repellent, durable and designed for great technical functionality Furthermore, it will also deliver the level of breathability and ventilation required for a comfortable and effective day at work

DRAYTON WISER ANTHRACITE THERMOSTATS

With consumer demand for decorative and cast iron radiators continuing to increase, Drayton has expanded its range to offer Wiser Room Thermostats and Radiator Thermostats in anthracite grey to ensure installers have a complementary heating control option that delivers both style and functionality

STELRAD NEW RADIATORS

The manufacturer has added a number of new sizes to the premium panel, K3 Henrad range and Cast Iron Column ranges throughout the Stelrad and Henrad portfolios The additions are a direct response to requests from customers and meet the needs of the increasing numbers of renewable heating systems being installed, in particular ground source and air source heat pump driven systems, and have been designed to ensure that Stelrad radiators remain “fit for the future” in every respect

Head of Marketing Chris Harvey said: “As always, we want to respond to our customers’ needs as quickly as we can. All our flipbook brochures have been updated to show the wider ranges available and these are available at www.stelrad.com and www.henrad.co.uk. ”

TOUPRET HIGH-PERFORMANCE WOOD FILLERS

Following on from its successful Joint, Skim & Fill launch in July, Toupret has announced its “game changing” range of fillers for wooden surfaces consisting of the ready to use Wood Filler and the powder Wood Repair Filler

A Smart solution suitable for every type of customer, Wiser has a number of features that can help reduce energy use this winter as well as offering consumers a heating control that can be adjusted remotely from anywhere in the world

UNION HIGH-SECURITY PADLOCKS

UNION has launched a new range of highsecurity padlocks that enable a variety of internal and external locations to be secured, and work as part of the company’s new master key cylinder range, keyMASTER Compatible with all UNION cylinders, the new Shield high-security padlock range is said to deliver exceptional security. This has enabled it to attain BS EN12320:2012 from Grade 4 up to the maximum Grade 6, in recognition of its physical security and the number of combinations it allows for.

Conventional open, closed, and long shackle variants are available depending on requirements, while the insert/snowman cylinder is interchangeable across the complete range, meaning customers who wish to upgrade their security at a later date can simply change the padlock housing

The company says the new products “tick all the boxes” as they are easy to apply and sand, can be drilled and screwed, and create a high-quality finish. In addition, both products are low odour, can be used on all types of wood including exotic species, chipboard or plywood, are compatible with any conventional paint, varnish or stain, and are suitable for interior or exterior use

MAKITA

50 YEARS OF UK TRADING

To celebrate a half century in the uK market, Makita has launched a special 50th anniversary promotion, offering end users the opportunity to claim free products with the purchase of selected items from its range running until 31st March 2023, customers who have purchased any of the qualifying models from an authorised stockist must register their purchase online within 28 days to claim their free product

Marketing Manager Kevin Brannigan said: “This has been a very exciting year in celebrating 50 years of successful operation in the uK To thank our customers, we are delighted to offer a fantastic choice of free products and we have even included some of our most popular LXT products in the promotion ”

GRANT UK NET ZERO HEATING SHOW PODCAST SERI TWO

after first launching the net Zero Heating Show in March last year, three brand new episodes are now available to downloa and listen to via the mainstream podcast platforms with the Grant uK hosts and guests discussing the heating sector, hea pump myths and retrofit installations

Continuing the conversation about sustainable heating solutions, each episode explores a new topic relating to low carbon heating, from discussing changes in the marketplace from the perspective of a merchant and installer through to separating the facts from the misconceptions about air source heat pumps and the importance of insulation and hybrid technologies

SIKA EVERBUILD BEAST LIFT EVENT

Kick-starting Sika Everbuild’s campaign to promote “the incredible strength and versatility” of EB25, the manufacturer recently teamed up with MKM to host a fun event with former World’s Strongest Man, Eddie ‘The Beast’ Hall, attracting a large crowd at the merchant’s branch in Bolton

Eddie introduced the new “Beast Lift” challenge, which has been touring merchants up and down the country, with attendees tasked with holding a 15kg weighted bar shaped like a giant EB25 tube at shoulder height for as long as they could manage Perhaps unsurprisingly, Eddie set an unbeatable time of 2:03 minutes but customers still went away happy by taking advantage of a number of special on-the-day EB25 offers

SAM

MOULDINGS

£1M INVESTMENT AND SALES SUPPORT

The MDF mouldings manufacturer has invested over one million pounds in developing its latest primed mouldings solution, ensuring the new profiles have a superior and robust finish The investment is part of an overall project to boost both its product offer and its service package, with the antrim-based company saying further developments will follow in 2023 to strengthen its stock range and improve lead times

Merchants can request samples of the new profiles via www.rdr.link/mao030

BOND IT SPONSORSHIP DEAL

With a relationship stretching back to 2011, Bond It has renewed its longstanding sponsorship of the Huddersfield Giants rugby Super League team under the partnership, the company ’ s logo will appear on the team’s home and away kits and will also be prominently displayed across various pitchside locations around the Giants’ john Smith’s Stadium home ground

a key part of the company ’ s wider marketing strategy, rugby Super League continues to attract record TV audiences with more games than ever before in 2021 breaking the 200,000-viewer mark to give Bond It “the ideal platform to further boost awareness of its already recognised brand ”

Aanco (U K) Lt d t /a Made F or Trade page 9 www rdr link/mao100

Bo rder Merchant Syst ems Lt d page 43 www rdr link/mao101

BSW Timber Lt d page 11 www rdr link/mao102

Buckbo otz page 39 www rdr link/mao103

Easy-Trim Roofing & Co ns truct ion Product s Ltd page 10 www rdr link/mao104

ECI Softw are Solutions Lt d page 46 www rdr link/mao105

Elevate (formerly F ires tone Building Pro ducts) page 17 www rdr link/mao106

E. Tupling & Son Ltd page 4 www rdr link/mao107

Impact H andling page 40 www rdr link/mao108

Kerridge Commercial Sys tems Ltd page 45 www rdr link/mao109

Keysto ne Lintels page 25 www rdr link/mao110

Merlin Busines s Software Ltd page 45 www rdr link/mao111

professionalbuilders merchant co uk page 46 www rdr link/mao112

ROC KWOOL Ltd page 14 www rdr link/mao113

SIG plc

inside front cover www rdr link/mao114

Stakapal Ltd page 37 www rdr link/mao115

Ten-25 Software Ltd page 46 www rdr link/mao116

TOOLFAIR outside back cover www rdr link/mao117

W O R L D I N M O T I O N

For all the off-field controversies, on the pitch in Qatar has been pretty much perfection. Writing this ahead of the semi-finals, we’ve had some great football to watch with a perfect balance of the best nations showing what they are capable of combined with some dramatic upsets The group stages went right to the wire, with all bar two nations still in with a shout of qualifying for the knockouts in the final games The round of 16 largely went to form, but we still saw the shock exit of Spain whilst the Quar ter Finals ensured that the big hitters of France and Argentina were paired with the unfancied Morocco and Croatia in the semis

As ever, it has been a joy to watch, but let’s not have it again in the winter

I T ’ S ( N O T ) C O M I N G H O M E

Another major tournament, and another disappointment for the England team Harr y Kane’s penalty miss can be added to the list of reasons / excuses / mitigating factors (delete as appropriate) that always seem to accompany a Three Lions exit numerous shootout losses, the Hand of God, Ronaldo’s cheeky wink and Ronaldinho’s lob in 2002… There always seems to be ‘something’!

Of course, we should concede that Kane’s penalty would have only levelled the scores against France, and there are no guarantees that England would have gone on to win against such a strong opponent But thankfully, the general response seems to be far more sanguine about the Quar ter Final exit this time around there’s no bitterness or vitriol, just an acceptance that England played pretty well throughout the tournament and were one of the better teams in it, but that’s just the way it goes sometimes…

It is one of the curious things about professional spor t that for all the talk about marginal gains and small improvements to help “make the boat go faster,” the best team doesn’t always win, and the underdog can have its day And let’s be honest, that is one of the reasons we love it so much

We go again

B A C K H O M E

And with the drama in Doha now behind us, we can focus our attention on the domestic game again Although I should note that as a fan of a League Two club, nothing had actually changed over the last six weeks!

In the Premier League however, it will be fascinating to see how the enforced WC break will affect the second half of the season with rhythms disrupted and dishear tened, exhausted players coming up against the rested and refreshed. The fixtures also come thick and fast, so keep an eye on double game weeks as you plan your moves for the weeks ahead.

With Paul Davies