Trends Monitor

Confidence in the market had also improved year-on-year, from a net +2% last month. A net +12% of merchants were more confident in the market in April 2023 than they were April last year — Chart 5. Nationals (+11%) and the North (+14%) were most confident. Independents (-4%) and Large outlets (-7%) were least confident.

Confidence in their business

Merchants’ confidence in the prospects for their own business has jumped up again, with a net +52% more confident month on month. By size, all merchants were equally confident. The South (+64%) and Nationals (+68%) were particularly confident. Independents (+25%) were less confident.

Merchants’ confidence in their own business had been building strongly year-on-year. A net +37% of merchants were more confident in the market in April 2023 than they were in April last year. Nationals (+45%), Regionals (+42%) and Small branches (+46%) were most confident. North (+26%) and Scotland (+31%) were less confident than the Midlands (40%) and South (40%).

Confidence in the market

Confidence in the market had increased month-on-month to a net +30%, having dipped slightly in March. Confidence in the market was high in all sizes of outlet, regions and type of merchant. Scotland (+44%), the South (+33%) and Midlands (+30%) were most confident, but fewer merchants in the Midlands (+16%) were confident.

By size, Small outlets (+37%) were the most confident and Large outlets the least (+20%). Independents (+12%) and Regionals (18%) were less confident than Nationals (+53%).

About the Pulse

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 48th in the series, with interviews conducted by MRA Research between 3rd and 4th April 2023 (two working days). Each month a representative sample of 100 merchants is interviewed. The sample is balanced by region, size and type of merchant, including nationals, regional multi-branch independents, and smaller independent merchants.

Celebrating its 14th edition and accompanied by sister event Hard Surfaces, visitors will be able to learn more about an unrivalled range of stone both from around the world and the best of British stone, discovering new and innovative hard surfaces whilst embracing the latest trends through a programme of CPD-accredited seminars.

There has never been more choice when it comes to materials, and there is a minefield of information out there online regarding quality assurance, ethical sourcing, suitability, variations in colour, textures and cost, however, the Natural Stone Show and the associated Hard Surfaces event promise to provide the answers.

The shows — originally scheduled for April 2021 but delayed due to Covid — will offer more information than ever before, with hours of accredited seminar content, live demonstrations, and 100s of THE most important brands and suppliers. All will be on hand to assist visitors, helping them make tough decisions with confidence.

Conference Programme

The Natural Stone Show is committed to providing a conference experience to educate, enrich and engage the visitor, with presentations and expert advice from leading industry bodies and suppliers. For example, the Natural Stone Show Seminar Theatre, supported by key industry organisations, will feature around 30, free-to-attend, CPD-accredited seminars across the duration of the Show.

Three sessions each day will give insights into the key developments that will shape and transform the stone industry over the next decade, as speakers and panels explore decarbonisation, sustainable design, digitalisation and much more. At the end of each seminar, the audience will have the opportunity to put their questions to the speaker, whilst a panel will discuss the most salient issues to conclude each session.

Hard Surfaces

Complementing the Natural Stone Show, Hard Surfaces is a new event showcasing the latest products and trends in the fast-moving field of surface design — including solid surfaces, ceramics and porcelain, worktops and tiles for kitchens, bathrooms and beyond… Bringing together the full production, design, specification and purchasing chain, the event is the only exhibition in the UK to focus exclusively on Hard Surfaces and directly related products and services, offering an attractive proposition for architects, designers, developers, fabricators, specialist contractors, installers and KBB outlets.

David Fisher, Head of Event Sales at the exhibition organiser QMJ, said: “The Shows have all the signs of being another brilliant success for the stone industry. And why wouldn’t they be? With very real concerns around the world about climate change and pollution, natural stone has so much to offer.

“The Natural Stone Show and Hard Surfaces bring together all the elements of the use of stone in construction and interior design. It is a truly sustainable, zero-carbon, non-polluting, natural raw material. The stone message is so positive, why wouldn’t you shout about it in London at the heart of the international architectural world?”

TRAVIS PERKINS MANAGED SERVICES £36M LAMPTON SERVICES CONTRACT

The Residential Services division of Lampton Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of the London Borough of Hounslow which provides residential services to over 16,000 homes, has awarded a £36 million contract to Travis Perkins Managed Services for the procurement of building maintenance materials and services. The contract, which will run for up to six years, subject to agreement, was awarded after an extensive and robust procurement process.

The contract will see Travis Perkins Managed Services responsible for the procurement of all materials and associated logistics for the maintenance of homes in the local area. The partnership is intended to provide several benefits to Lampton Services including cost savings, improved stock holding and ordering systems and will lead to reduced wait times for materials, supporting residents by improving service efficiency.

A condition of Lampton Services’ rigorous tender process was a commitment by the contract awardee to contribute to the social value proposition of Hounslow. To this end, Travis Perkins Managed Services has “committed to improving the social, economic, and environmental well-being of the borough by partnering with local suppliers, developing local skills, and providing employment for local people.”

Lords Group Trading Plc Chiltern Timber Supplies Acquisition

PBM looks at some of the latest news stories from across the merchant sector including new branch openings, health & safety initiatives, career pathways for staff and additional services for customers.

Haldane Group Career Pathway Initiative

Aimed at encouraging the continued professional success of employees across the business, the Haldane Group has launched its new High Potential Development Programme. The firm’s Talent Manager Aisling Rafferty said: “Staff development is hugely important to us as an organisation, as we understand that the development of our workforce is integral to the future growth and success of our business.

“Providing team members right across our brand and branch network with access to tailored training and support will promote development across all levels of the business, ensuring that we continue to provide the high-quality service our customers and partners have come to expect.”

14 “driven individuals” are taking part in the first round of the Programme over an 18-month period that will provide training and development opportunities via a hybrid in-house and virtual model.

Furthermore, the programme will be launched bi-yearly to support the company’s sustainable people strategy which focuses on ‘growing and developing our own talent’. The business has also launched a mentoring programme which aims to not only benefit those selected for the High Potential Development Programme, but will also support other future leaders within the Group to reach their full potential.

Jewson Chichester Timber Centre

The national builders’ merchant has launched a new specialist branch in Chichester, complete with a timber showroom and landscaping centre. The branch opened with an exclusive event in late March, where customers could meet a full range of Jewson suppliers, including West Fraser, LPD, Richard Burbridge, CTD, Gripsure, International Timber, BSW, Hanson Plywood, IDS and James Hardie. Business Unit Director James Buckle said: “We are excited to welcome customers to this unique branch in Chichester, which is ultimately a one-stop-shop for all your timber needs. From specialist experts to access to the UK’s leading timber suppliers, tradespeople have everything they could want under one roof.”

Established in 2013 by Gerry Barton, Chiltern Timber employs 12 colleagues and operates from a single modern site in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire in addition to having a strong online presence. The business specialises in providing hardwoods, special timber sections, timber landscaping products and veneered sheet material whilst it also boasts a modern milling facility, allowing it to offer a differentiated service to that of its competitors.

Jamie Herd, Group Managing Director of Lords Merchanting Division, said: “We are delighted to welcome Gerry and Chiltern Timber to the Group. I have known Gerry for over 15 years and it is fantastic to now be working together. This acquisition is aligned to our long-term growth strategy of increasing our customer base, broadening our product offering and enhancing our UK geographic coverage.”

Mkm

Mental Health Workplace Responders Training

MKM has launched a training programme for staff seeking to become mental health workplace responders for their colleagues. Part of the merchant’s wider work in tackling poor mental health in the construction sector, the independent merchant was aiming to put more than 70 staff through the FAQ Level 2 Award in Mental Health Workplace Response qualification — run by St John Ambulance and St Andrew’s Ambulance — by the end of April.

The course seeks to empower participants by giving them a comprehensive understanding of mental health conditions and episodes, tips on how to recognise poor mental health and how to offer appropriate support. The course also dispels some of the myths surrounding mental health and highlights some of the support services available.

James Burrell Defibrillators In All Branches

Potentially life-saving equipment has been installed in all 11 James Burrell branches across the North East and Yorkshire, with each site now having a defibrillator placed behind the trade counter. The company has also invested time into training as many members of staff as possible, giving them the confidence to use the machines in an emergency, and with the aim of eventually having every employee trained on how to use the defib.

Paul Butler, Health and Safety Manager, said:

“Although we do invest heavily into First Aid Training, defibrillation is the only proven method to treat a Sudden Cardiac Arrest. The potentially life-saving devices can increase the cardiac arrest survival rate to between 60-70%.

“We truly hope that we never need to use one of our defibrillators, but this installation provides our staff and the local community access to a vital resource. I am beyond pleased that all of our branches are equipped with an elite lifesaving device ready for use in emergency situations.”

James Burrell worked with Defib Machines throughout the whole process of the installation and training of the machines.

SELCO BUILDERS WAREHOUSE WOMEN’S FORUM

Selco has launched a new Women’s Forum designed to help highlight and encourage the ongoing career progression of women in the company. The opening meeting was held on International Women’s Day in Coventry with many of the merchant’s 19 female branch deputy managers and two female branch managers in attendance. Amongst the topics discussed were the individual career paths to date of the attendees, as well as the way Selco is viewed externally by potential female employees of the future.

John A Stephens New Website Launch

One of the largest independent builders’ merchants in the Midlands, John A Stephens is excited to announce the launch of its new website. A completely new platform, www.johnastephens.co.uk offers customers an immersive, fully interactive experience showcasing the full product range available across its branches and also the many specialist services it offers to both Trade and DIY customers.

The site details the full range of delivery options from one of the largest fleets in the industry and also introduces the relevant experts and key contact points for each of its departments, aiming to give visitors a full ‘one-stop shop’ experience from initial enquiry to order placement. Limited online ordering is available from launch, expanding to a full online order and delivery service during the course of 2023.

John A Stephens is also using the website as a vehicle to provide details of its major capital investment programme into renewable energy power for its sites and its new fleet of Zero Emission yard vehicles as the business “spearheads the move away from traditional reliance on fossil fuels in the construction sector.”

The Women’s Forum will meet at least quarterly and Sally Kerr, Selco’s Head of HR Operations and chair of the new group, confirmed there were also discussions about launching a second cohort. She said: “We are delighted to have launched the Women’s Forum and it’s another important step towards us becoming a fully diverse and inclusive workforce. In addition, we want to lay out a programme which encourages other women to follow suit and move through the ranks — there is no better way to get feedback on that than by speaking to the people who have already achieved that progression.”