Professional Builders Merchant July/August 2025

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SPECIAL REPORTS

BETTING THE HOUSE Perspectives on the Gover nment’s latest commitments to the housebuilding sector.

SUSTAINABLE NETWORKS

MKM outlines how it is “stepping up its sustainability game” by cutting carbon, boosting energy efficiency and backing greener building solutions. 17 MAKING THE SOUND BARRIER

Travis Perkins tur ned to Jacksons Fencing when the merchant required a “noise-reducing” solution for the perimeter of its new Coventry depot. 22 BMF CONFERENCE REVIEW

Reporting back from the All Industry gathering in Barcelona.

Tur ning the corner?

As readers will see throughout this issue, it’s been a month of announcements, analysis, discussion and, dare we say it, a growing sense of cautious optimism A flurr y of Government initiatives, not least some eye-catching detail in the recent Spending Review, has given the construction sector and for SME housebuilders and the merchants who supply them additional reasons to feel more confident for the future

Among the headline-grabbing announcements was Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ £39 billion lift for affordable housing, with BMF CEO John Newcomb, for example, welcoming the “major boost for house builders, housing associations and local authorities and a big increase on previous funding arrangements ”

Moreover, this level of investment stands to act as a “significant long-term market stimulus” and a catalyst for wider progress across the countr y, with the trade body confirming the “the building materials supply chain is in good shape to support the growth” this funding is expected to unlock.

What may prove even more transformative, however, are the Government’s proposed planning reforms aimed at addressing the long-standing challenges faced by SME developers New classifications such as the ‘Medium’ site categor y (10 to 49 homes) and simplified rules for ‘Minor’ sites (up to nine homes) have the potential to ensure a “ more proportionate” planning approach, whilst reducing the impact of costs such as the Building Safety Levy all appear to provide a welcome shift toward recognising how housing is actually delivered at local level

Just as encouraging is the renewed push to unlock land and financing opportunities The creation of a National Housing Bank, for instance, could help to ease the credit constraints that have long stifled SME output As Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, aptly described: “Small, local firms are uniquely positioned to unlock the potential of overlooked small sites, deliver high-quality homes and boost local economies ”

The proof remains in the deliver y, of course and not ever y aspect of the Spending Review inspired confidence Brian cited the lack of progress on the Government’s election commitment to retrofit five million homes, stating: “If we are to meet our net-zero goals, a comprehensive retrofit strateg y is essential SME builders are ready to deliver, but they need direction, support and for the Government to follow through on its pledge ”

Outside the policy arena, a record number of delegates also gathered in Barcelona for this year ’ s BMF’s All Industry Conference And here too were signs of a forward-looking, engaged industry not just reacting to change but eager to shape it Under the theme Building Tomorrow Together, speakers tackled everything from that

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Digital

Digital

Group

Production

Circulation

urgent need to streamline planning and increase SME support through to the transformative potential of AI and digitisation

As BMF Chairman Richard Hill stressed, understanding where we ’ ve come from is vital to navigate where we ’ re headed especially as the pace of change intensifies And when it comes to technolog y in particular, the message was clear : adapt or fall behind ECI’s Chris Fisher put it most succinctly : “AI is not going to replace people. However, those who can embrace the opportunities will replace those who do not ”

Against a backdrop of familiar ongoing challenges ranging f rom taxation pressures on family-r un indep endents to shifting c ustomer exp ec tations at the trade counter the industr y ’ s ability to remain resilient and rele vant will b e central to futurepro of ing its success

The road ahead remains uneven, but with policy momentum seemingly moving closer in step with sector priorities, merchants and the wider building materials sector might just be on the cusp of a long-awaited revival The optimism may still be cautious, but perhaps it is finally grounded in something a little more tangible

Fax: (01923) 246901

N E W S U P D AT E

Racking guidance

The Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association’s latest initiative is designed to support merchants by outlining the key dos and don’ts of warehouse racking systems, along with the practical steps warehouse owners and managers can take to keep employees safe and protect their business Its free ‘Stay Racking Safe’ guide highlights the necessar y legal requirements when it comes to racking, and outlines how to prevent costly downtime from damages and reducing the risk of racking-related accidents

The guide breaks down five simple steps including checking your suppliers, making sure racking is loaded correctly and ensuring that inspections processes are carried out thoroughly that should be followed over the racking’s lifetime, and it can be downloaded for free from the SEMA website via www rdr link/mbs001

Marmox’s Silver Jubilee

Marmox has celebrated 25 years in business with a special event for staff and family members at the big Cat Sanctuar y in Headcorn, Kent Founder Harr y Parsons cut a cake suitably decorated with the company logo and gave a short speech on “how it all started,” followed by MD (and Harr y ’ s daughter) Sarah Viney and her brother, Business Development Director Johnathan Parsons alongside Finance Director Richard Kent-Smith presenting certificates to many of its long ser ving employees

Sarah reflected on the success of the firm’s commitment to innovation, with products such as Thermoblock and its recently developed Fireboards designed to raise standards in the industr y Further new products are in the pipeline, whilst Sarah also highlighted the sustained sales and “excellent market share” of the family firm’s original launch product, Multiboard

New NMBS CEO to join in August

Kevin Williams has been named as the new Chief Executive Officer for NMBS and will join the leading buying society for independent merchants on 1 August 2025 He brings more than 30 years ' experience in building materials and construction distribution, having progressed through a variety of leadership roles at Travis Perkins and most recently as Managing Director at Headlam PLC

He will succeed Chris Hay ward who became CEO of NMBS in 2022, following more than 20 years as MD and more than 47 years ’ total ser vice at the organisation Chris will officially step away from NMBS early next year, allowing a smooth transition process through the rest of 2025.

Ke vin commented: “Obviously I’ve known of NMBS and its reputation for many years NMBS is an incredible organisation, b oth providing s ec urity and stability in an oftenf luc tuating market and driving innovative ne w thinking in the builders’ merchants s ec tor on digitalisation, ef f icienc y, go o d employment prac tices, apprenticeships and ESG b est prac tice.

He continued: “I am really looking for ward to refreshing and building new connections and relationships across the whole NMBS

Record investment

Brett Martin has announced a record £15 million investment at its Mallusk headquarters in Northern Ireland to drive future growth in its Plumbing & Drainage division. The investment will nearly double the production footprint of the facility, adding 25,000 sq. ft of advanced manufacturing space in addition to adding an additional 70,000 sq ft of warehousing

The expansion is said to mark the largest single investment in the company ’ s histor y and reinforces its long-term commitment to its local manufacturing base Phase one, commencing in 2025, includes new state-ofthe-art injection moulding with specialist automated solutions, “facilitating enhanced efficiency and output of drainage fittings ”

The manufacturer “aims to increase volume output by 30% over the coming years ” to ser vice its merchant partners and Director Andrew Martin commented:

membership, while enjoying a full handover process from Chris and working alongside the great team at NMBS to continue its positive impact and commercial success ”

Kevin began his career as a management trainee at Travis Perkins in 1994, moving through branch management and regional leadership roles, and later held senior operational and commercial roles across the plumbing and heating division at Plumbing Trade Supplies, City Plumbing Supplies and Group Spares

In 2022, he joined Headlam PLC as Managing Director to create and lead a new nationwide branch-based flooring trade counter business Drawing on his many years of merchanting experience, he successfully introduced a strong culture of customer-first thinking into the flooring sector, establishing a national network of 85 branches and building a differentiated value proposition focused on ser vice and repeat business

“ This latest investment plan comes off the back of continual sales growth in Brett Martin’s UK and Irish markets We operate in a highly competitive market where manufacturing efficienc y is essential for our continued growth ”

Brett Martin Director Andrew Martin with Chris Dawson, Plumbing & Drainage Division Sales Director

LORDS ACQUIRES ASSETS OF “ONLINE-ONLY MERCHANT” CMO GROUP Making

Online purchase

Lords Group Trading plc has announced the acquisition of the “trade and assets” of CMO Group (excluding the ‘ Tiles’ business formerly owned by the business) following a pre-pack administration process The acquisition brings together CMO’s digital-first online model with Lords’ infrastructure and merchanting expertise, reflecting its “continued focus on growth, diversification and digital innovation in the construction materials distribution sector ”

The total cash consideration payable of £1 8 million will result in Lords acquiring a property valued at £1 2 million

Founded in 2008 as Construction Materials Online, CMO “built a market-leading e-commerce platform ser ving homeowners and trade professionals through a suite of specialist superstore websites.” With over 140,000 listed products and “ a unique hybrid approach combining online convenience with expert technical support, CMO has brought true disruption to a traditionally offline industr y ” Lords “acknowledges that the events leading to the acquisition have had an impact on a number of stakeholders, including

creditors and suppliers” and states that “the pre-pack administration process was undertaken with careful consideration and in close coordination with legal and financial advisers, with the intention of preser ving as much business continuity, employment, and value as possible ”

Approximately 120 colleagues will now join the Group

Shanker Patel, CEO of Lords, said: “We are delighted to welcome CMO into the Lords family. CMO brings a well-established digital platform, strong customer reach, and a specialist product-led approach that complements our own This partnership allows us to blend traditional merchanting strengths with cutting-edge digital capabilities

“We are also mindful of the impact of the pre-pack administration process on affected parties and are committed to conducting the transition with respect Our focus now is on ensuring a stable and successful future for the CMO business and all its stakeholders ”

PE buyout for Hepworth Clay

Private equity firm 4D Capital Partners LLP has acquired the Hepworth Clay business in a car ve-out from Wavin Limited, the UK subsidiar y of Orbia Building & Infrastructure Reputedly the only UK manufacturer of vitrified clay pipes and associated fittings used for drainage purposes, it operates from sites at Hazlehead, Yorkshire and Forest Works in the E ast Midlands with 550,000 sq ft of manufacturing space sat on over 100 acres,

using the “significant clay reser ves ” from its own quarries

A range of terracotta products for the construction and ventilation of domestic flue and chimney systems supplements the core drainage solutions portfolio.

Alex Silk, Founder of 4D, said: “We are delig hted to have invested in Hepwor th Clay and ver y proud to b ecome the c usto dians of this heritage brand There is an excellent team in place with s ome

BMF Members’ Day speaker

The Rt Hon Sir James Cleverly MP, one of the few Cabinet Ministers to have ser ved as both Foreign Secretar y and Home Secretar y, will be a headline speaker at the BMF Members Conference in September James’ career spans the militar y, business, local and national politics, ser ving in government under Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. Having stood in the last Conser vative Party leadership constest, he remains in

Parliament as a backbench MP

John Newcomb, BMF CEO, said: “We are delighted that James Cleverly will address BMF Members’ Day this year He is not only one of the countr y ’ s senior politicians, but the breadth of his experience in business and the militar y adds to his insights into the global and domestic political landscapes.”

Focusing on the theme “Engaging with the Future”, the BMF Annual Members

Hultafors Tools has teamed up with Band of Builders to launch a branded, special edition version of its bestselling Dr y Marker, which is now available in over 300 Jewson branches nationwide

Promoting Band of Builders on site, the supplier is kicking off the collaboration with a £9,750 donation whilst for ever y marker sold, 50p goes straight to the charity, helping to support those in the industr y and their families who are going through tough times Since its launch in 2016, Band of Builders has delivered nearly £2 million in community projects across the UK, powered by a network of volunteers and industr y partners, with the charity’s practical, financial and emotional support making a real difference for those who need it most

exceptionally talented p eople w ho share our passion for hig h-quality manufac turing. We lo ok for ward to working with them to realis e the full p otential of Hepwor th Clay ”

Conference and Awards takes place at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham on 17 and 18 September. Book your place via www.rdr.link/mbs002

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

in association with

UK building boom on the way?

Glenigan, the construction insight specialist, is predicting a major performance uptick for the sector over the next three years.

According to its recently published UK Construction Industry Forecast 2025-2027, Glenigan states that the sector is set to grow by 24% over the forecast period Predominantly focused on underlying starts (<£100m in value), unless otherwise stated, the report contains a comprehensive overview of the current state of the construction industry

The key takeaway is that the sector will experience a “much-needed resurgence in activity” as the UK economy continues to improve and public funding for critical infrastructure is set to increase following last month’s Spending Review. As such, Glenigan is forecasting predicted growth for 2025 of +3%, followed by +10% in 2026 and +11% in 2027. It contends that these “positive figures, spurred on by greater consumer and business confidence, will no doubt be welcomed industry-wide, especially following a disappointingly stagnant second half of 2024.”

Despite the promise of renewed growth, 2025 got off to a rocky start, “likely experiencing a hangover from a very disappointing 2024, which was rocked by socio-political turmoil at home and abroad ”

However, Glenigan states that more certainty has started to retur n to the markets, with the “main driver for this uptur n a strengthening in domestic demand, particularly consumer

spending amid heightened unease in global markets.”

This, it reports, is reflected in the recent uptick in underlying construction starts over the previous quarter, which is anticipated to remain stable following the various building and upgrading commitments made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer

particularly industrial and commercial construction, Glenigan speculates these verticals will gather pace as business investment starts to unlock, in line with thawing consumer confidence

“It’s been a frustrating few years for the construction sector just as there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel a new set of headwinds seems to buffer it, leading to prolonged stagnation. Yet recent events indicate we ’ re finally turning a corner. ”

The private sector is also playing a key role in this momentum boost, with “residential starts rising significantly over the last four months ” This is set to increase as “rising household incomes and lower interest rates lift housing market activity, reaching an +18% performance high by 2027 ”

Whilst recovery is set to be slower in other parts of the private sector,

Commenting on the Forecast, Glenigan’s Economic Director, Allan Wilen, said: “It’s been a frustrating few years for the construction sector just as there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel a new set of headwinds seems to buffer it, leading to prolonged stagnation. Yet recent events indicate we’re finally turning a corner.

“Consumer spending power and confidence are improving. This has supported an uptur n in housing market activity and is expected to help drive private housebuilding over the next three years.”

Allan continued: “The promise of some refreshingly strategic spending from the Gover nment will certainly send a positive signal to contractors and subcontractors nationwide with spending earmarked for a number of big and small projects presenting plenty of opportunities ”

■ For further information and to download a copy of Glenigan’s UK Construction Industr y Forecast 2025-2027, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbs003

The construction industry has long called for decisive action to tackle the specific challenges faced by small and medium-sized housebuilders. Now, with the recent Spending Review and a flurry of planning and finance proposals, the Government appears to be listening. While the success of these reforms will ultimately be measured on how they’re delivered can SME builders ply

for SME housebuilder s A new hope

Arguably the most eye-catching announcement is the reform of the planning system to better accommodate the needs of smaller firms Traditionally, SME developers argued that they have faced disproportionately high regulator y hurdles, with small sites of 10 homes subject to the same processes as 100home developments Under the new proposals, that is set to change.

Key measures include a streamlined planning process for ‘Minor’ developments of up to nine homes and the creation of a new ‘Medium’ site categor y, covering developments of 10 to 49 homes ese sites will benefit from simpler rules and exemptions from ‘burdens’ such as the Building Safety Levy, alongside relaxed Biodiversity Net Gain requirements

Faster decisions by experienced planning officers, rather than full committees, also aim to reduce delays and costs potentially crucial changes for SMEs.

e Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has welcomed these steps as “ a major boost” to the sector, with Head of External Affairs Jeremy Gray noting that decades of decline among small housebuilders can be linked to an inflexible planning system. e new proposals, he said, acknowledge those difficulties and offer a real opportunity to reignite SME-led housing deliver y

Unlocking land and finance

e Government’s Small Sites Aggregator pilot targeting Bristol, Sheffield and Lewisham is highlighted as another welcome initiative It will support SMEs in accessing underutilised land for development, backed by private investment to deliver much-needed social housing In tandem, Homes England is set to release more land exclusively to SMEs

Financing, long a barrier for small developers, is also in focus A new National Housing Deliver y Fund and the creation of a

“Revitalising this segment — which has seen its market share shrink since the 1980s, when SME builders delivered 40% of the countr y ’ s new homes is essential to coming anywhere close to meeting the stated (and overly ambitious…?) national target of delivering 1.5 million homes.”

National Housing Bank aim to make credit more accessible, including long-term options like revolving credit. According to Brian Berr y, CEO of the FMB, this could be a “bold and sorely needed” inter vention, given the sector’s struggle with risk-averse lenders.

The new planning definitions have also been heralded by the National Federation of Builders (NFB) as the result of years of determined advocac y. NFB Chief Executive Richard B eresford praised the Government’s recognition of SME’s typical site sizes, calling it a significant step for ward after years of stagnation

e reforms appear to reflect a broader strategic shi. As the Government noted, SMEs not only provide local jobs but also train 8 out of 10 construction apprentices Revitalising this segment which has seen its market share shrink since the 1980s, when SME builders delivered 40% of the countr y ’ s new homes is essential to coming anywhere close to meeting the stated (and overly ambitious ?) national target of delivering 1 5 million homes

Builders’ merchants, who are essential partners to SMEs, could stand to benefit significantly if the proposals translate into shovels in the ground. While much will of course depend on the execution, the signal from Westminster is clear : small and medium builders are not only being heard, they’re being prioritised.

image credit: AdobeStock | david hughes

MERCHANT FOCUS

CITY PLUMBING ELECSTORE LAUNCH

With research showing that the “boundaries between plumbing, heating and electrical work continue to blur,” City Plumbing has launched ElecStore a dedicated electrical brand available at its depots nationwide that will offer over 12,000 electrical products plus in-branch expert advice to help multi-skilled trades work more efficiently As part of the launch, 35 ElecStore dedicated electrical trade counters have also opened across the UK.

Findings from the merchant revealed that nearly half (48%) of plumbers and heating engineers have already trained in electrical work, with a further 37% planning to upskill within the next 12 months

Hemal Morjaria, Managing Director for Renewables, Electrical and Site Temp at City Plumbing, said:

“Increasingly, tradespeople are offering a wider range of services, especially as low-carbon technologies like heat pumps and electrical heating, such as electrical radiators or storage heating, become more commonplace

“For a renewable heating installation such as an air source heat pump or solar PV system, which typically includes a significant electrical element, our research found that installers spend an average of 3.44 hours per week sourcing products That’s nearly 10% of a standard 37 5-hour working week, or over £150 of potentially chargeable time, just trying to find the right parts ”

ElecStore trade counters are supported by an experienced electrical manager who can give in-depth, expert product guidance The sites will also stock a “vast product range” including switches and sockets, cable and cable management, consumer units, EV charging solutions and temporary site power equipment with products from trusted brands such as Dimplex, Scolmore, Aico, Kosnic, BG and Hispec.

DULUX DECORATOR CENTRE

NEW STORE FORMAT

Introduced to offer “greater speed, convenience and flexibility for busy customers,” Dulux Decorator Centre has launched a new store format Currently, four stores feature the new layout at two brand new locations in Balham and Stevenage plus refitted sites in Reigate and Brighton Freshfields which place a strong focus on (online) preorder and collection services to enable decorators to maximise the time they can spend on site

In addition to having an expert team on hand in each location, each store will include:

● A trade counter-style layout, with no traditional shopfloor

● A carefully thought-out range of essential products

● Digital browsing terminals for key product and service information

● Internal collection lockers to support seamless pick-up

Sarah Atkins, Managing Director at DDC, said: “We understand that decorator needs are constantly evolving. In times like these, they need a partner they can rely on for speed, reliability and ease Our new store format is about providing faster, more flexible access to products, particularly in town centre locations where accessibility and on-site parking are more limited

“By offering the same tailored service with added convenience, we’re helping our customers spend less time picking up supplies, and more time doing what they do best ”

LORDS GROUP TRADING BICESTER BRANCH OPENING

As Lords Group Trading continues to celebrate its 40th anniversary, its Merchanting Division brands of Lords Builders Merchants and Advance Roofing have recently opened a new branch in Bicester. Aptly located on Lords Lane on the edge of the Oxfordshire town, the branch formerly operated by Blanchford Building Supplies provides 13,000 sq .ft. of warehouse and retail space and sits within a one-acre site

CEO Shanker Patel said: “When this site became available with the location of Lords Farm, on Lords Trading Estate, in Lords Lane with an address like that, it was destiny that Lords should open here! The branch will immediately fill the void for local tradespeople that was left when Blanchford’s closed earlier this year.”

(Left to right) Connor Geraghty, Electrical Sales Manager; Jodie Scott - Branch Manager; Hemal Morjaria, MD for Renewables, Electrical and Site Temp; and Liz Taylor, Chief Commercial Of ficer at the City Plumbing Reading Hyperion Way branch, which now features a specialist ElecStore counter

TRAVIS PERKINS PLC SPECIALIST MERCHANTS BUSINESSES

Travis Perkins plc has announced a new operating structure for the Group’s specialist merchants businesses, led by Catherine Gibson in the newly created role of Specialist Merchants Managing Director Catherine, who has held numerous senior roles since joining the Group in 2015, will oversee new and dedicated leadership teams for its BSS, CCF, Keyline and TF Solutions operations to “create more entrepreneurial, customer-centric businesses ”

Catherine commented: “I am really excited about the prospect of working with the specialist merchant businesses to help strengthen their performance These businesses already enjoy strong relationships with customers and suppliers, reflecting the expertise and passion of our colleagues.

“Whilst there will be opportunities to share resources, these businesses need to be run separately to take into account their different requirements.”

JEWSON LUTON REDEVELOPMENT

SIG ROOFING SKCIN PARTNERSHIP

SIG Roofing has announced the continuation of its partnership with national skin cancer prevention charity SKCIN The partnership will allow it to support customers on how to implement key safety measures when working outside, educating them on how to spot the vital early signs of the disease

This is a crucial intervention considering the findings of the specialist merchant’s customer survey last year which revealed that a staggering 95% of roofers reported experiencing repeated sunburn a leading cause of melanoma skin cancer whilst 63% indicated that they never, rarely, or only sometimes use sunscreen. Nearly half admitted that they were unaware of how to check their skin for signs and symptoms of skin cancer.

The most commonly diagnosed and fastest-rising cancer in the UK, the awareness campaign will also feature in-store point-of-sale displays and free sunscreen stations

WOLSELEY GROUP RENEWABLES CENTRE SHREWSBURY

As first outlined in last month’s issue, Wolseley has now officially opened the doors to its first flagship Renewables Centre facility in Shrewsbury. Marking a major milestone in its mission to support heating professionals entering the fast-growing renewables market, Wolseley Group COO John Hancock cut the ribbon to officially open the centre and commented: “There is a demand for installers to really start ramping up installations of heat pumps over the coming years, there’s a huge ambition from the government and from the country to do this and I think we can play a key part in really driving that change.”

The Shrewsbury site is the first of several planned locations across the UK, with Swansea set to follow shortly Each centre will serve as a regional hub of expertise, offering everything heating professionals need to succeed in the renewables space including accredited training, MCS-certified system design, technical support, product access, and business guidance.”

Said to feature “the UK’s largest merchant shop floor,” Jewson’s Luton branch is currently undergoing a “transformational” £4 3m redevelopment Set to open this summer (though still open for trade whilst work continues), the refurbishment will include a 51,800ft² shop floor alongside a comprehensive suite of new services including a cement plant, timber cutting station, large landscaping display, tool hire and repair centres, a kitchen and bathroom showroom, paint mixing facility and even an extended workwear range complete with fitting room

Additionally, customers will benefit from two drive-in entrances to source undercover timber, five pods for hosting meetings with clients, electric vehicle chargers, out-of-hours collection lockers, food and drink facilities, and much more.

The branch will also be home to Jewson’s first-ever Sustainability House a full-scale mock home showcasing cutting-edge materials from the Building for the Future range. Complete with Velux roof windows and a glass mezzanine floor, it will serve as a hands-on learning space, guided by an on-site specialist to help customers build in line with the latest regulations and environmental standards.

Andrew Collinson, Jewson Luton’s new Branch Director, said: “The work being undertaken here at Luton will redefine the capabilities of builders’ merchants in the UK The branch will act as a vital hub for construction and building projects in the South East, but will also be a blueprint of best practice in merchanting at a national level, too ”

The STARK Building Materials UK business has also just announced the opening of its new £2m branch in Croydon, replacing the former Beddington Lane site

SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS

Sustainable networks

MKM Building Supplies reports that it is “stepping up its sustainability game” by cutting carbon, boosting energy efficiency and backing greener building solutions across the board.

Officially opened in Februar y, the company ’ s new Cheltenham branch its first to have the entire shell structure built to BREEAM Excellent standards is said to mark a major milestone on its wider sustainability journey. Designed as an “all-electric site,” the facility includes a roof-mounted solar PV array, air-source heating systems, MVHR, movement-controlled LED lighting systems and intelligent energ y management systems

Some 42% of the total annual electricity consumption will be provided by the PV system and with a REGO certified grid supply, the building achieves an operational carbon net zero status for its energ y use.

In addition, the branch also deploys electric forklift trucks, EV charging points and will shortly include an electric deliver y vehicle Cheltenham is described by the firm as setting a new benchmark for future branches, with its development billed as “just one part of a much larger effort to make MKM’s entire business more sustainable.”

Indeed, MKM says its environmental strateg y goes beyond branch-level improvements, reflecting a long-term

commitment to cutting carbon and improving energ y efficiency As a builders’ merchant operating in a traditionally high-emission sector, the company recognises the challenges it faces and is “taking a practical, proactive approach, backed by tangible initiatives that aim to drive real change throughout its operations ”

R achel Constable, Head of ESG, said: “We know that construction has a significant carbon footprint, and we ’ re not pretending we have all the answers What we do have is a clear and measurable plan to improve We’re working within our own operations to cut emissions, and we ’ re helping customers make informed choices about sustainability.

One particular challenge MKM faces is that most of its branch buildings are leasehold properties. This means the company must work closely with landlords to implement sustainability

improvements. However, attitudes are shifting, as David Shaw, Head of Special Projects, explained: “We don’t own all our sites, which means we have to collaborate with landlords to make changes But we ’ re seeing landlords engage more actively in sustainability initiatives.

“Gre ener bui ldings are more att rac t ive to tenants and investors a li ke, and t his a lig ns w it h our dr ive to op erate more ef f icient ly and resp onsibly From t hat p oint, it’s up to us to make as many appropriate decisions as possible choosing energ y-efficient systems and op erat iona l b est prac t ices to ensure t he ent ire bui lding is as sust ainable as p ossible ”

MKM’s sustainability progress has als o b een recognis ed externally In April, the business was awarded a Silver EcoVadis Medal, placing it in the top 15% of companies ass ess ed for sustainability g lobally The rating ref lec ts strong p erformance across ke y areas including environmental impac t, lab our and human rig hts, ethics, and sustainable pro c urement.

It’s seen as a clear sign of the company ’ s commitment to keeping things moving in the right direction, however the drive

toward sustainability isn’t just coming from MKM its customers and suppliers are also pushing for greener solutions

Trade professionals are actively seeking Future Homes Standard-compliant materials, while homeowners are investing in energ y-saving products At the same time, the firm’s long-standing suppliers are evolving their own sustainability commitments, ensuring the supply chain supports a lower-carbon future

“We’re resp onsible for our S cop e 1 and 2 emissions w hich includes elec tricity, gas, biomass and dies el, but we know f rom our S cop e 3 emissions work, that the biggest impac t comes throug h our supply chain,” explains R achel. “Our suppliers are stepping up of fering more sustainable materials, reducing their own emissions, and emb edding sustainability into their op erations.”

Furthermore, several branches have now created dedicated in-store displays featuring low-carbon heating solutions from leading manufacturers such as Grant, Samsung, and B osch These initiatives are further strengthened by MKM’s acquisition of Oceanair an award-winning HVAC distributor specialising in air-to-water heat pump solutions and training

T h rou g h O c e an ai r, t he bu s i ne ss now of fe rs a c c e ss to te ch n i c a l supp or t , s y ste m d e s i g n e x p e r t i s e and a c c re d ite d t r ai n i ng , re i n forc i ng it s c om m it me nt to helpi ng c u stome rs t r ans it i on to more su st ai n abl e, f utu re - re a dy he at i ng te ch nol o g i e s .

A key part of the strateg y is also related to its own vehicles

R achel said: “It would be naïve not to acknowledge that transport remains our largest source of emissions within scope 1 & 2 But that doesn’t mean we can’t make improvements

“We’re rolling out technolog y to help us track fleet emissions at a branch level and making strategic investments to lower our impact We recently introduced our first electric crane and we ’ re transitioning our forklift fleet, with close to 50% now fully electric and expansion planned across additional branches

We’ve also adopted Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) HGVs where infrastructure allows, with a growing number now operating in our logistics network ”

She concluded:

“Our focus on sustainability isn’t just about compliance it’s about doing the right thing and leading the way in the industr y. We’re committed to embedding sustainability across our business as we progress towards our net zero targets ”

ROOFING REWARDS

Unlocking efficiency and control

In today’s fast-paced environment, builders’ merchants need every advantage they can get to stay competitive and efficient. Leading roof systems manufacturer, Marley, understands these demands and its supporting merchants with its online My Account platform.

Built for Marley customers, My Account helps to streamline merchant operations by providing instant access to crucial information including quotes, price lists, active and completed order details, lead time updates plus new deliver y tracking functionality

The platform’s newly launched deliver y tracking offers live updates of order progress for merchants. Once an order is on the road, the My Account dashboard will show real time vehicle location tracking and estimated time of arrival information

Additionally, once a deliver y has been made, merchants can also access pinpoint location data and download an electronic proof of deliver y (ePOD) document easily from their My Account profile ideal for busy merchants who deal with multiple suppliers

Dan Redfern, Head of Marketing Communications at Marley, says: “My Account is continually evolving to best meet Marley customer needs with the new deliver y tracking functionality as the latest example This new tool enables quick and easy answers to any questions merchants may have around order arrival times and proof of deliver y, streamlining the whole deliver y process

“And this is just one component of the much wider, comprehensive package that My Account offers merchants. It also houses a wide range of free online training modules, alongside access to expert-led TEAMs and in-person training courses, all designed to help merchants boost their roofing and product knowledge.”

By making Marley account information instantly available, My Account frees up merchants’ time and gives easy access to the tools and knowledge they need to best support customers.

■ For more information, or to sign up or log in, visit Marley’s My Account platform via www rdr link/mbs004

Making the sound barrier

The site of a former Homebase store, the redevelopment of the branch is said to represent a significant commercial investment in the area however, the planning process placed strong emphasis on minimising the potential noise impact on neighbouring residential properties. Indeed, during the consultation phase, concerns were raised by local residents about the depot’s close proximity to homes and the potential noise and disruption from daily operations.

In response, the updated application included detailed proposals for fencing that would “ go beyond standard perimeter security to actively reduce sound transmission” alongside enhancing privacy and providing a visually appealing finish to the new site.

Jacksons Fencing managed the project from start to finish, supplying and installing 160 metres of its two-metre high 12K Envirofence acoustic fencing Designed to meet strict sound reduction standards, the system features a surface mass of 10–12kg/m², offering an effective sound-reflective timber acoustic barrier

Described as being robust yet lightweight, the timber system provides both noise control and a strong, attractive site boundar y e supplier’s team handled site preparation, including removing old fencing and vegetation, and installed the new acoustic barrier along the kerb line using concrete foundations for lasting stability and structural integrity.

Peter Jackson, Managing Director, Jacksons Fencing, commented: “ e installation of this acoustic barrier at the new Travis Perkins depot in Coventr y highlights the importance of balancing functionality while also being sympathetic to the needs of the local community e entire installation is backed by a 25-year guarantee against rot and insect attack, and it holds proven performance in reducing noise, light spill, and protecting privacy

“It’s clear that Travis Perkins is committed to responsible site development and tuned into community awareness, ensuring the depot functions effectively while remaining sensitive to the needs of its residential neighbours ”

12K Envirofence is constructed using precision-machined, interlocking timber boards designed to create a solid, gap-free

“During the consultation phase, concerns were raised by local residents about the depot’s close proximity to homes and the potential noise and disruption from daily operations.”

d a “noise-reducing” solution for the perimeter of its new Coventry depot.

surface is design is said to not only help to block and reflect sound back toward the source, but it also provides total visual screening to protect the privacy of both depot users and nearby residents.

Jacksons says that unlike standard timber fencing, the acoustic barrier is specifically engineered to reflect sound, effectively reducing operational noise in residential areas

Furthermore, while functionality was crucial, the fencing specified also needed to blend with its surroundings. Visible from nearby homes and set among trees, the site required a natural, aesthetically pleasing solution that complemented the environment.

e warm, timber finish of 12K Envirofence was deemed to “achieve this beautifully,” with its clean lines creating a professional and well-maintained appearance Over time, the timber will weather naturally to a silvery-grey, allowing it to blend even more with its surroundings without compromising on durability or acoustic performance

n Jacksons Fencing is a family business founded in 1947 in Kent. Today, it operates from three UK locations in Ashford, Bath and Chester and employs over 240 people in the design, manufacture and installation of timber and steel fencing, gates, environmental noise barriers, bollards, automation and access control systems

n For more information, use the shortcode www rdr link/mbs005

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

Share the vision

As the professional body representing individuals in the sector, the Institute of Builders Merchants (IoBM) has a well-defined and focused vision.

The IoBM is de dic ate d to promot ing professiona l st and ards and supp or t ing p ers ona l de velopment, t hereby enabling indiv idu a ls to advance t heir c are ers and succe e d w it hin t he bui lding mater i a ls indust r y. The organis at ion is fo c us e d on long-ter m professiona l de velopment and raising t he le vel of accre dite d qu a lif ic at ions held by t hos e in t he merchant profession, prov iding a f rame work w it hin w hich indiv idu a ls c an en hance t heir sk i l ls and professiona l cre dent i a ls

T he t r ai n i ng l e a d i ng to Io B M’s a c c re d ite d qu a l i f i c at i ons i s of te n , t hou g h not e xclu s ively, prov i d e d by t he B M F T h i s i s u nsu r pr i s i ng , a s b ot h org an i s at i ons ai m to fo ste r e xc el l e nc e i n t he s e c tor A nd w h i l e t he B M F c onc e nt r ate s on promot i ng bu s i ne ss e xc el l e nc e for it s c or p or ate me mb e rs , t he Io B M a ss i st s i nd iv i du a l s st r iv i ng to e xc el i n t he i r cho s e n c are e rs w it h i n t he i ndu st r y

The g re at t hing ab out t he IoBM is t hat it of fers s omet hing for e ver yone, w it h memb ership g rades t hat re cog nis e p ers ona l de velopment w het her you are just st ar t ing out, advancing t hroug h t he ran ks or a lre ady in a s enior p osit ion:

l Stu d ent memb ership is t he st ar t ing p oint for t hos e w it h one ye ar ’ s exp er ience, or in an apprent iceship or ot her rele vant t raining

l Ass o ci ate memb ership (AIBM) is t he next st age for t hos e w it h t wo ye ars ’ exp er ience or w ho have complete d a L e vel 2 de velopment prog ramme or ot her rele vant t raining

l Fu l l memb ership (MIBM) is awarde d to t hos e w it h f ive ye ars ’ exp er ience or w ho have complete d a L e vel 5

de velopment prog ramme or ot her rele vant t raining

B e coming a memb er demonst rates to t he world t hat you are a committe d, ambit ious, and qu a lif ie d professiona l

Re cr uitment and sk i l ls b enef it

A professiona l inst itute of fers bro ader b enef its for t he Bui lding Mater i a ls s e c tor regarding re cr uit ment, by emphasising its va lue as a v i able c are er opt ion

“The IoBM offers something for ever yone, with membership grades that recognise personal development whether you are just star ting out, advancing through the ranks or already in a senior position.”

Andy R ay ner, Dire c tor of L e ar ning & D e velopment at Trav is Perk ins plc, has worke d w it h hundre ds of merchant ing apprent ices, t he maj or it y of w hom found t heir f irst j ob a lmost by accident The y had ne ver considere d work ing in a bui lders’ merchant w hen t he y were at s cho ol

By helping to g ive v isibi lit y to t he professiona lism of t he s e c tor, Andy b elie ves t he IoBM of fers a re a l advant age as t he indust r y s e eks to att rac t ne w and divers e sk i l l s ets t hroug h t he BMC are ers

s e c tor awareness prog ramme He expl aine d: “ The work t he IoBM is doing to professiona lis e t he merchant indust r y w i l l ma ke it a much more att rac t ive pl ace for p e ople to work Know ing t here is t raining and de velopment avai l able and prog ression to a lengt hy c are er is imp or t ant w hen p e ople are res e arching w here to work ”

For t hos e in a more advance d st age of t heir c are ers, t he imp or t ance of st ay ing up to d ate as t he indust r y undergo es its dig it a l t ransfor mat ion has ne ver b e en more sig nif ic ant IoBM memb ers c an access CPD s eminars as wel l as more for ma l t raining to en hance t heir exp er t is e and ad apt to changes in t heir sp e cif ic j ob roles

Net work ing opp or tunit ies and mentorships are a ls o cr uci a l b enef its IoBM e vents, conferences, and me et-ups prov ide memb ers w it h opp or tunit ies to conne c t w it h p e ers, indust r y le aders and exp er ts in t heir resp e c t ive f ields Thes e interac t ions c an le ad to va lu able col l ab orat ions and t he shar ing of k now le dge and b est prac t ices.

To join the IoBM, email iobm@bmf.org.uk or contact Marianna Peet, Learning & Development and Apprenticeship Manager on 02476 854980.

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

Sepehr Sobhani has become the latest recruit to the growing Stelrad Brand Specialists team, operating through merchant branches up and down the country, and joins the business to look after the South Central region

Sep said: “I’m enjoying my new role already, working with a great team I’m looking forward to being able to help installers in my region and the merchant staff at the branches I look after on a day-to-day basis we ’ ve got lots to talk about with the new products and huge ranges of radiators we have to offer ”

newables Centre, recently launched by Wolseley Group, has nounced the appointment of Dan Marsden as Director of newables Dan joined Wolseley in 2015 and has progressed ough a series of senior roles, including within the Plumb entre sales team and most recently as National Sales Director r Private & Domestic

He has played a key part in advancing renewables sales hrough strategic partnerships and utility channels and in this ewly created role, he will lead the national rollout of enewables Centre, oversee the integration of Renewable quipment Solutions (R E S) and enhance the brand’s offering to nstallers through hands-on support and sector-specific insight

Ariston has appointed Hans Juergen Bahnsen as its new UK and Ireland Senior Sales Manager After spending 15 years in various roles at Bosch, Hans brings a wealth of valuable industry experience including technical sales, product sales as well as managing technical sales teams

Hans will lead Ariston’s area sales and pre-sales teams, driving increased sales turnover and improved profitability for the business Ideally placed to manage the company ’ s sales to provide short-term results as well as a long-term pipeline, Hans will also focus on both commercial heating businesses and larger domestic businesses

Conex Bänninger has strengthened in Scotland with the appointment of Derek Sinclair as Regional Technical Sales Manager, in a strategic step to strengthen its presence and to support new sustainable business development Derek brings over 18 years of senior-level experience gained within the plumbing and heating sector and his extensive market knowledge “positions him perfectly” to support customers and grow the brand’s footprint across Scotland

Derek said: “This is an important time for the Scottish market, with significant opportunities to expand our presence My aim is to build strong relationships with customers of all types and ensure that they have support when choosing the right solutions from our innovative product range ”

Owlett-Jaton has expanded its service offering with the appointment of three new merchandising representatives This strategic growth increases the nationwide merchandising team to five, with two additional representatives set to join later this year, and they will play a key role in supporting merchants nationwide through assessing store layouts, configuring and installing merchandised stands and ensuring effective product placement

The newly appointed team members bring a mix of valuable experience and regional insight into their roles Firstly, Christan Gibbon will cover the Northeast, Yorkshire and Scotland whilst Sean Teeling brings prior experience as an Engagement Executive for merchants and a strong network of industry contacts to his role across the Northern Home Counties, the West Midlands and East Anglia Last but not least, Henry Barber will manage accounts in Staffordshire, North Wales and Mid Wales

The business has also appointed seasoned sales professional Paul Molle as its new Regional Technical Sales Manager for London and the Eastern region With over three decades of industry experience, Paul brings a strong track record of success in the construction sector, which includes selling Conex compression fittings in his early days His appointment marks a return “to a brand he knows and trusts ”

Reflecting on progress, preparing for change

Hosted by the inimitable Mark Durden-Smith, a reflective tone also permeated this year ’ s Conference theme of Building Tomorrow

Together, with BMF Chairman Richard Hill referencing Barcelona’s architectural legacy and highlighting the sector’s transformation since the city last played host to the BMF event in 1995 a time when the larger chains were just emerging, family-run merchants more commonplace and UK-owned manufacturers filled the market.

Richard stressed the importance of understanding the sector’s past to help inform and build its future, with the paramount need to keep up with the accelerated pace of change It was a theme picked up by CEO John Newcomb, noting that 1995 also saw the early days of Amazon and eBay, yet the event with its record attendance including some 30% as first-time delegates was firmly focused on looking forwards.

John highlighted how the BMF has grown its membership base and influence to further future-proof the £52bn building materials sector, outlining the organisation’s ongoing efforts to improve member engagement, policy advocacy and skills development to bolster the industry’s resilience, relevance and reach

Workforce development took centre stage, with John highlighting the BMF’s biggest ever investment of £400,000 into the "Make a

Material Difference" sector recruitment campaign. The 2023 Istanbul Conference pledge to deliver 15,000 apprenticeships by 2030 has already been surpassed, reflecting the sustained commitment to tackling skills shortages and nurturing future talent

Other future-fo c us ed initiatives were showcas ed, including more on the Building Materials Digital S er vices pro duc t data platform b eing de velop ed in par tnership with NMBS and the launch of a “Branch of Tomorrow” res earch projec t led by industr y exp er t Ste ve C ollinge, with the f indings to b e re vealed at the Memb ers ’ Day e vent in S eptemb er.

In addition, the Institute of Builders Merchants is to be relaunched to drive up professional standards and individual development (see page 18) whilst the BMF website will also be overhauled later this year

An engaging mix of top-level guest speakers including Casper Berry, Nic Hamilton and Ellis Watson in addition to

Despite the sustained challenges faced by the market at home, delegates to this year’s BMF-hosted All Industry Conference created a positive and energetic vibe in the Catalan capital of Barcelona as they united to discuss change and transformation in the building materials sector.

informative breakout seminars and panel sessions went on to tackle vital industry topics such as risk management, business disruption, attracting and retaining talent, water management (courtesy of headline sponsor Aco), decarbonisation and digitisation

The future of housebuilding, meanwhile, was the central thread in an engaging segment featuring industr y voices from the Home Builders Federation, Taylor Wimpey, Stark Building Materials UK and independent merchant, Tippers Building Materials Here, whilst recent government pronouncements were welcomed, the growing disparity between national and SME developers was highlighted along with sustained concerns about the planning process and the need for reform

Stark’s John Carter provided a candid review of Jewson’s transformation following its acquisition He described the business as having lost direction and outlined efforts to rebuild local autonomy and strengthen

branch-level ser vice His ten-point plan includes removing management layers, improving stock levels and fostering a far more responsive and proactive sales culture.

Joe Tipper, meanwhile, posed challenging questions about the role of private equity finance in the merchant sector and the impact of government tax policy on the family-run firms who have a “ sense of purpose that goes beyond profit ”

A key breakout session saw ECI’s Chris Fisher discuss the practical potential of AI in merchant operations from the automation of repetitive tasks to data analysis and marketing support with Chris suggesting that, amending the oft-quoted fear, “AI is not

going to replace people. However, those who embrace the technolog y will replace those who do not.”

The evergreen ‘Meet the Merchant’ speed-dating sessions (under their more formal title of ‘Merchant / Supplier Connections’) remain a central element of the event, facilitating the means of creating and fostering beneficial business relationships. And away from the formal proceedings, an array of networking opportunities were built into the event from coffee breaks and social activities to the evening dinearounds in recognition of the central importance of people and individual connections to the sector’s long-standing success

Inspirational keynote speeches from Baroness Harriet Harman and multiple Olympic medallist Rebecca Adlington brought the business sessions to a close, whilst over £14,000 was raised for charity

during the Gala Dinner that formally concluded the event at the historic L a Llotja De Mar near the Barcelona waterfront. Funds will be split between the BMF ’ s nominated charities for 2025 Variety, the Children’s Charity and The Educational Frontier Trust (TEFT), which provides free education for vulnerable children in Kenya

BMF CEO John Newcomb commented: “ The entire conference raised the bar once again for our bi-annual All Industr y event I want to thank our brilliant speakers, our returning host Mark Durden-Smith and the BMF team for working so hard to ensure that delegates had a great time and went home with plenty of food for thought, as well as new contacts ”

■ For more information on the ser vices provided by the BMF, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbs006

TRANSPORT, HANDLING & STORAGE

Driving confidence

“raise standards and drive confidence across the unregulated commercial vehicle maintenance sector,” offering fleet operators additional peace of mind when it comes to keeping their vehicles in service.

Billed as “ a new single rating system introduced to bring consistency to performance ratings and generate more transparency for vehicle operators and workshop facilities,” the MPRS is an industr y-led scheme, steered by the Institute of Road Transport Engineers, which is the result of a significant collaboration across the commercial vehicle sector

Aimed at workshops and maintenance facilities of all sizes, and developed in conjunction with Logistics UK, the Department for Transport, Traffic Commissioners, DVSA, SMMT, RHA, CPT, BVRLA and NFDA, Daimler Truck UK and DAF also took part in the MPRS pilot last year

Providing a clear, practical framework and delivering an assessment that “puts the spotlight on improving standards (and) highlighting non-compliant and unsafe practices within the commercial industr y, ” the scheme is said to “reflect the sector’s desire to continually improve commercial vehicle compliance, and differentiates workshops and maintenance providers, based on the competency of their people and the quality of their facilities ”

Phil Lloyd, Head of Engineering Policy at Logistics UK, said: “Workshops are currently entirely unregulated, but MPRS can be a

beacon of confidence for operators working with external workshops and maintenance facilities. It provides a trusted way for maintenance providers to demonstrate their competencies to reassure operators, who will know that their vehicles are being maintained by workshops and facilities that are serious about quality, compliance and safety”

Workshops will apply for their rating through the MPRS portal, managed by IRTE on behalf of the industr y The MPRS assessment will be based on a comprehensive audit of facilities and staff knowledge, while the rating system is split into five distinct levels with each indicating the breadth and scale of facilities and workforce

A “Qualified” rating, for instance, indicates that a workshop has the tools, equipment and staff competencies to meet minimum industry compliance standards, while the highest “Platinum” level will be awarded to operators at the “leading edge of maintenance technology ensuring full readiness for future vehicle trends, including electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered systems ”

The “Qualified” and “Bronze” levels are based on independent assessment of self-declarations, while “Silver”, “Gold” and “Platinum” will be audited by approved auditors. Overall, the higher the rating, the

“greater the confidence operators should have in the competences of their workshop and maintenance providers ”

IRTE Executive Director Emma Thompson commented: “MPRS puts the spotlight on improving current standards across workshops and maintenance facilities across the nation, highlighting non-compliant and unsafe practices that compromise safety and standards within the commercial industry.”

For operators , work in g with MPR Srecogn ised s erv ice provi ders mean s:

l You have the assurance that you’re working with verified service providers with varying standards

l You gain a clear understanding of what you’re getting for your budget, and the levels of oversight and checking required.

l You have the confidence that your service providers are serious about standards and are regularly improving them

l You can mitigate risks associated with selfcertified or unvetted service providers

n For more information, visit www.mprs.org.uk

Nick Betteley, President of the Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association, emphasises the need for ongoing safety checks to ensure the safety of staff and customers.

Builders’ merchants need storage equipment to help their business It could be a shop full of shelving, cantilever racking in the yard storing carcassing timber and concrete lintels or warehouse racking storing bagged cement, plasterboard and insulation products.

Get the right design, supply and installation in your storage equipment and it can help operations run smoothly Goods will be in a clear, visible and accessible format for both staff and customers while locating items will be more efficient Above all, it will keep customers and employees safe.

But here’s the thing Once the racking’s installed, maximising your investment and delivering on safety relies heavily on training.

Keep employees and customers safe

You can only expect employees to work correctly and safely if they’ve been trained in their job The same goes for your storage equipment It’s an important factor when you realise that your racking could be holding tonnes of stock in areas where employees and customers are walking about

While the design of your structure goes a long way towards securely holding that stock, you need to ensure anyone working in areas with racking understands their requirements This includes how to load the structure, manual handling best practices and, mostly importantly, adoption of correct inspection processes.

“Meeting racking safety is only possible if employees are trained on correct working practices ”

Meet your legal requirements

Regular racking inspections are a requirement under PUWER and HSG76

This requires a three-tiered approach, with your employees playing a significant role in the process Ever y day, anyone working in areas with racking needs to report if they find any damage.

For the Visual Inspection, appoint a team member as the Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS). They will be responsible for identifying damage, correct loading practices and keeping a formal report of their findings with required actions. Finally, appoint a qualified professional to undertake the Expert Inspection

In a busy yard, racking will inevitably become damaged at some point. This could

be through incorrect handling procedures or being hit by handling equipment Yet, the structure is also at risk of damage through incorrect or overloading of the structure.

It’s for this reason that your racking supplier will supply you with Load Notices that should be fixed clearly at the end of racking runs These explain maximum weight and correct loading practices Any unnecessar y racking repairs and damaged stock can ver y quickly become a big expense

Racking training for employees

Meeting racking safety is only possible if employees are trained on correct working practices. Training, like our Rack Safety Awareness course, explains how to read the Load Notice sign, recognise damage, working with warehouse equipment, potential hazards and correct manual handling processes

Training also covers how to perform in-house racking inspections and preparing a member of your team for the role of PRRS It explains how to conduct risk assessments, how to comply with the law, what details to record in your in-house inspection and how to action repairs

Manag ing HGV operational costs

Tim Houghton, MD of FVTH, offers his insights into the primary components of operational costs for an HGV fleet and highlights how merchants can control these expenses.

Part of any builders’ merchant’s remit is an HGV fleet to deliver the goods out to customers. Managing the fleet is an intricate process and understanding the main costs is essential for fleet managers to optimise operations, ensure profitability and maintain high ser vice standards Many will partner with their vehicle supplier, and this is where invaluable assistance and knowledge can combine.

Fuel Costs & Choice

With alternative fuels now on the horizon, the choice of fuel is a big question With the confusion out in the market, the lack of specific direction from government and manufacturers, and a truly credible alternative to diesel we currently need to focus on ICE engines and diesel at the moment

Indeed, fuel is one of the most significant operational costs for any HGV fleet it can be as much as 40% of all costs Fluctuations in prices can have a dramatic effect on a fleet’s overall expenses therefore monitoring fuel prices and implementing effective fuel management strategies can lower costs:

l Route Optimisation: Using routing software to minimise distances can help reduce fuel consumption. Shorter, more efficient routes ensure that fuel costs are kept to a minimum

l Driver Training: Educating drivers on fuel-efficient driving practices, such as

maintaining steady speeds and avoiding unnecessar y idling, can lead to substantial savings.

l Regular Maintenance: Keeping vehicles in good condition also enhances fuel efficiency. Regular checks on air filters, tyre pressure, and engine performance all contribute

Maintenance and Repairs

A cr it ic a l asp e c t of op erat iona l costs, HGVs re quire regu l ar s er v icing to ensure t he y op erate ef f icient ly and comply w it h s afet y regu l at ions Are as to consider are:

l Scheduled Maintenance: Regular maintenance is essential and can prevent more costly repairs, while extending the lifespan of vehicles Simple things, including oil changes, brake replacements and tyre rotation can’t be overlooked.

l Unscheduled Repairs: Unexpected breakdowns aren’t always avoidable and can lead to significant costs and, more importantly, downtime. A wellplanned maintenance schedule can help reduce the frequency of these unplanned repairs.

l Parts and L abour : The cost of parts can var y widely depending on the vehicle’s

TRANSPORT, HANDLING & STORAGE

make and model. Labour costs for skilled mechanics can also add up quickly

Insurance

An essential cost for HGV fleets, however premiums can var y based on several factors including:

l Driver Experience: Fleets with experienced drivers may benefit from lower rates

l Fleet Size: Larger fleets often have more negotiating power when seeking competitive quotes

l Technolog y : Ensuring that your fleet utilises the latest technolog y such as cameras can reduce insurance costs dramatically.

l Shop around: And also consider the total cost of ownership beyond just premiums, including deductibles and coverage limits

Driver Salaries and Benefits

Human resources can be one of the largest expenses Key considerations include:

l Competitive Salaries: Attracting and retaining skilled drivers requires offering competitive pay and benefits

l Training Programmes: Investing in regular training for drivers not only improves safety but can also lead to increased efficiency and reduced turnover rates

l Compliance Costs: Ensuring compliance with regulations, such as

driver hours and health checks can add cost, but ensure retention

Depreciation

The depreciation of HGVs is an important consideration in overall operational costs

As vehicles age, their resale value decreases, and this needs to be included in any financial calculations Factors affecting depreciation include:

l Mileage: Higher mileage typically leads to faster depreciation

l Maintenance Histor y : Well-maintained vehicles retain their value better than those that are neglected

l Market Demand: Changes in market demand for specific types of vehicles can also impact depreciation rates

Fleet managers need to account for depreciation when calculating the total cost of ownership (TCO) for their vehicles If working with a fleet partner such as FVTH and using leasing as a financial model these factors are usually covered

Fleet Management Software

Investing in f leet management s oftware has b ecome the norm over the last decade When us ed prop erly, thes e systems can help streamline op erations and reduce costs Tracking fuel consumption, s cheduling maintenance, monitoring driver b ehaviour and optimising routes are just

s ome of the areas that can b e covered and w hen us ed well, such s oftware can save time and maximis e ef f icienc y

L easing companies are often par tnered with a f leet management s oftware company to manage their own f leet, and this can b e us eful for their c ustomers giving a total technolog y package with the vehicle. Althoug h there may b e upf ront costs ass o ciated with implementing s oftware, the long-term savings nearly always justif y the investment.

Compliance and Regulator y Costs

HGV fleets must comply with numerous regulations, including those related to safety, emissions, and labour laws For example:

l Permits and Licenses: Costs related to O Licences for vehicles over 3.5t g vw and also for obtaining necessar y permits for operation in certain urban areas

l Environmental Compliance: Meeting emissions targets can require investment in cleaner technologies or retrofitting existing vehicles. This is particularly relevant when delivering into city areas, where new legislation such as DVS (Direct Vision Standards) in London is appearing on a regular basis.

The intricacies of running a f leet do not get less as the years go by, and understanding and managing operational costs for an HGV f leet is essential for ensuring profitability and efficienc y. Fleet managers need to focus on the key areas above to identif y opportunities for cost savings and implementing robust management practices and leveraging technolog y can pave the way for a successful and sustainable HGV operation

As the logistics and transportation sectors continue to evolve, staying ahead of operational costs will remain a critical challenge for fleet managers and working in collaboration with a transport expert such as FVTH can often ensure best use of time resources and minimise costs.

n For more information on the ser vices pro vided by FVTH, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbs007

TRANSPORT, HANDLING & STORAGE

Rushlift’s National Training Manager Steve Briscall and Technical Training Manager

Sam Cook offer a five-point plan for uplifting fleet performance.

Maximising forklift uptime

Businesses are critically dependent on the smooth running of their forklift truck fleet Any downtime may have a huge impact on on-site handling or vehicle loading and may cause delays, customer disappointment and, potentially, significant financial losses.

Ensuring maximum uptime across the fleet takes planning and regular ser vicing to ensure vehicles are maintained for peak, safe performance. And yet, how well planned, maintained and managed is the average fleet? How sophisticated is the analysis of vehicle usage data is utilisation evenly spread across the fleet? What are the damage trends and causes? And is ser vicing being regularly conducted?

Monitoring ever y aspect of the fleet should be an on-going process, controlled and managed by specialists that understand the importance of regular ser vicing, damage control, compliance issues and cost analysis

Here’s a five-point plan for top fleet performance:

1. Compliance

As a matter of legal compliance, businesses are required to carr y out a full ser vice on an industrial vehicle at least once a year under PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) In addition, if the truck lifts a load above 300mm then it must also have a ‘ Thorough Examination’

LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) inspection ever y 12 months, as well

2 Enhanced safety

First and foremost, well maintained trucks are inherently safer, reducing risk of injury to operators and protecting the well-being of personnel on site Being diligent on maintenance, with regular servicing, is an important contributor to the safety culture of the business and demonstrates the healthy attitude of management to following health and safety guidelines which helps mitigate risk to directors in legal cases relating to industrial accidents and claims of negligence

Regular chain-wear inspection and maintenance, along with service checks on tyre condition, brakes, axles, fork-wear, wheel bearings and greasing are critically important These checks should be undertaken monthly or perhaps more frequently if a truck is working in particularly harsh conditions such as rough, uneven surfaces or dusty or corrosive environments

3. Reliability and performance

With regular maintenance and ser vicing a vehicle will experience less downtime, making a truck far more productive in its operational life and reducing the likelihood of a catastrophic failure avoiding all the costs of an emergency call-out and loss in productivity. What’s more, regular ser vicing

extends the life of the truck too, resulting in greater value delivered over the whole life cycle of the vehicle

Importantly, regular ser vicing helps identify small problems that could become bigger problems if left, so making an early fix

Steve Briscall

Sam Cook

can be a lot cheaper, and less impactful on the business than if you leave it

4. Records and analysis

Keeping a thorough and complete record of ser vice histor y, parts and replacements relating to each vehicle in the f leet is an essential asset to the business, not just for charting the performance of the vehicle but for keeping track of costs and as a record of good ser vice histor y, should it be needed. A comprehensive ser vice management system capable of scheduling, recording actions, parts used and readily available 24/7 to ser vice engineers and management is a valuable tool that may offer detailed analysis on each truck’s performance across the site or sites

Rushlift’s proprietar y Fleet Management System is an online platform that enables customers to access up-to-the-moment information on a forklift truck fleet, log breakdowns on a 24/7 basis and access

maintenance records, account details and other vital information Importantly, live data is fed through the engineer’s tablet making site visits simpler, with all maintenance records updated in real-time

5. Vital support

Businesses competing on tight deliver y windows will need the reassurance of a reliable ser vice support network Rushlift has ser vice centres located strategically across the UK and over 90 highly qualified field ser vice engineers on the road at any one time, enabling the company to provide an engineer on site within four hours (average response time to VOR KPI)

Of course, fast and easy access to parts is a fundamental support function waiting for parts to arrive from a distant European parts store can cause delays and increase down time. Rushlift’s UK Parts Distribution Centre carries in excess of £1 million worth of stock for next-day deliver y With a 4 00pm

cut-off for orders one of the latest in the industr y customers get the best possible support, all from within the UK

At Rushlift, we work closely with the fleet owner over the entire length of the contract to maximise the overall performance of the fleet: from specifying and recommending the most appropriate trucks for the duties to be performed and that means providing the best truck for the job, whatever the make to providing full, regular ser vicing, fast breakdown call-out, and on-site meetings to review fleet performance

From analysing the usage of individual trucks our, experts can make recommendations that may save significant costs whilst improving operational performance and reliability maximising asset value across the life-time of the fleet

n For more information on Rushlift, use the shortcode www rdr link/mbs008

PALFINGER UK LONDON DEPOT

Palfinger UK recently opened its new London depot, strategically located near the Dartford Crossing and Junction 1A of the M25 This milestone represents a significant step in the T H WHITE Group company’s growth, extending its service provision across the Southeast and reinforcing its commitment to supporting both new and existing customers in the region

In addition to stylish meeting rooms and office space, the 13,090 sq ft (1,216 sq m) facility features eight fully equipped workshop bays, an overhead crane and crane testing infrastructure designed to handle breakdowns, servicing, repairs and inspections

As the official UK distributor of PALFINGER lorry cranes, Palfinger UK has depots in Devizes, Bradford, Leicester, Falkirk in addition to the new London facility as well as a nationwide fleet of mobile engineers conducting cranes and commercial vehicle body repairs round the clock

■ Discover more via www.rdr.link/mbs009

SPECIALIST DRIVER RESOURCING TEMPORARY DRIVERS

TRANSPORT, HANDLING & STORAGE

PODFATHER CARVERS BUILDING SUPPLIES

As part of a company-wide transformation project to improve internal processes and automate workflows, Carvers has rolled out Podfather logistics software to boost customer service and reduce administration with the platform now integrated with its upgraded Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system

Using Podfather, which includes logistics planning, route optimisation, and proof of delivery (POD) functionality, the independent merchant has already significantly reduced its reliance on paper and improved its customer service and fleet management

Furthermore, Podfather’s app-led vehicle checks ensure the Wolverhampton-based firm’s vehicles are well maintained and legally compliant. Fully configurable, the app guides drivers through a series of checks, ensuring vehicles are safe and ready for use, whilst providing early notification of potential issues

■ For further information, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbs010

TOYOTA TRAIGO48 ELECTRIC FORKLIFT RANGE

Toyota Material Handling Europe has launched the new Toyota Traigo48 range of electric counterbalanced forklifts, said to offer superior performance and a comprehensive set of features that “set a new standard for material handling ” With 3 and 4-wheel models available in various sizes, the range is tailored to give customers the flexibility they need to tackle a wide variety of tasks in both indoor and outdoor environments

The Traigo48 range features load capacities from 1 5 to 2 0 tonnes, with lift heights up to 7 5 metres and a maximum speed of up to 20 km/h The line-up is also available with flexible battery options to fit various operational requirements: conventional leadacid (LAB) batteries and lithium-ion (LIB) batteries

■ Enter www.rdr.link/mbs011 to find out more about the new range.

Specialist Driver Resourcing (SDR) states that builders’ merchants who need reliable, trained drivers to support their business can rely on the company “to bring a level of expertise and focus that sets it apart from generalist agencies ” With years of experience behind the team, SDR offers a bespoke temporary driver supply service specifically designed to meet the logistical and operational needs of the builders’ merchant sector, providing professionals “who understand how to operate in a merchant environment ” Whether merchants need drivers to cover sickness, holidays or seasonal demand, SDR offers flexible contracts from same-day bookings to long-term placements

■ For more information on SDR, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbs012

INSITE THE NEW NAME FOR HGVC

HGV driver training specialist, HGVC, has announced a major rebrand and expansion of its training offering to become Insite Built on the foundation of more than 12 years’ experience in providing training to leading companies including Travis Perkins, MKM, Scottish Power, Capita and Amazon, Insite is led by the same expert team that established the leading HGV driver training firm which became the “largest provider of HGV Skills Bootcamp for businesses.”

With more than 400 training centres nationwide and supported by technology solutions that simplify compliance and streamline communication, Insite will now provide fully managed training across three main sectors including HGV training where its programmes “help businesses increase capacity, retain staff and reduce training costs” and Warehouse training, including Forklift Driver Training, an Introduction to Warehousing and First Aid courses

■ Further details can be found via www.rdr.link/mbs013

Smarter, integrated solutions

It has been quite the year for Klipboard, formerly known as Kerridge Commercial Systems, with the supplier’s “bold rebrand” taking place alongside “a renewed commitment to innovation and a series of strategic investments and partnerships.” PBM looks back at some of the key developments.

Back in late 2024, Klipboard acquired Vigo Software in a move billed as bringing “best-in-class logistics and deliver y management” into the organsiation’s ecosystem The acquisition adds “powerful functionality” for deliver y planning, pallet scanning, live tracking, ePOD (electronic proof of deliver y) and real-time vehicle visibility all essential tools for builders’ merchants operating high-volume, multi-drop deliveries

As James Mitchell, CEO of Europe, said at the time: “By combining Vigo’s deliver y expertise with Klipboard’s ERP and warehouse strengths, we can now offer merchants complete end-to-end control from quote to doorstep ”

The firm also announced its partnership with Open ECX, giving customers a “faster, more automated way to process purchase orders, invoices and credits through secure electronic data exchange” whilst supporting its “mission to reduce paper work and improve sustainability, eliminate manual errors and speed up end-to-end operations ”

Konnect 2025

Held in March at Stratford-upon-Avon’s Crowne Plaza, the company ’ s Konnect 2025 conference brought together customers, partners and industr y leaders for two days of product updates, strategic insights and hands-on workshops. Most notably, it ser ved

as the public debut of the new Klipboard brand as well as highlighting the business’s recent developments and showcasing its next generation solutions

The message at the event was clear the rebrand is more than just a name change, constituting a “fundamental shift away from a collection of powerful, yet separate solutions, to a fully integrated ecosystem of business management solutions” which are designed to reflect the way the market has evolved and recognising the needs of its customers to “ grow faster, ser ve better and operate more efficiently”

down on its commitment to solving real customer problems through product innovation.” Indeed, Chief Product Officer DJ Jones revealed that the company had invested more than 500,000 hours into research and development in the last 12 months alone

The result is a continuously evolving ‘ecosystem’ designed to stay ahead of industr y challenges and delegates heard that, over the past year, Klipboard has “doubled

He said: “ That’s time spent building, improving, and transforming the tools our customers use ever y day This isn’t innovation for innovation’s sake it’s about delivering meaningful improvements that drive measurable impact ”

Smarter payments

One of this year ’ s standout announcements has been the launch of a new integrated payment solution, designed to give distribution, wholesale and trade businesses “ more flexibility, speed and control when it comes to taking and managing payments ” Built in partnership with leading global payment provider Adyen, Klipboard Money

enables users to accept payments anytime, anywhere whether that’s delivering materials to site, managing a busy trade counter, over the phone or running an eCommerce store.

Fully integrated into that aforementioned wider Klipboard ecosystem meaning no more clunky terminals or manual reconciliation the solution enables real-time visibility over cash flow and full PCI DSS compliance, simplifying financial management while enhancing the customer experience Businesses can offer their customers more ways to pay from card payments and bank transfers to digital wallets and flexible payments to support ever ything from one-off transactions to recurring billing, helping to unlock working capital and reduce admin

AI-powered decisions

In the building materials sector, where order volumes are high, product variation is

complex and customer expectations keep rising, access to timely, accurate information is vital Accordingly, a new suite of AI-powered tools has been designed to help merchants make better decisions, faster

Klipboard Copilot, for example, is a natural-language AI assistant that gives staff across the business instant answers to common queries and can be used to carr y out admin-heavy tasks instantly without chasing reports or waiting on other teams such as checking on stock levels across branches, pulling up past pricing for a customer quote or reviewing seasonal demand forecasts

DJ Jones explained: “Klipboard AI helps businesses to find the right solutions, fast It’s about giving users the tools they need to act quickly, confidently and accurately

whether they’re on the shop floor or speaking directly with a customer ”

Overall, Klipboard states that 2025 marks a turning point with the transition from Kerridge Commercial Systems introducing more than a new name but a new way of thinking, as “instead of siloed products and disconnected processes, Klipboard now offers a fully connected, integrated ecosystem (with) ever y tool designed to help builders’ merchants operate faster, with greater control and confidence ”

■ For more information on Klipboard, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbs014

Scan the QR code for more information and to submit your nominations now! www.bmf.org.uk 02476 854990

Closing date for entries is Thursday 31 July 2025.

THE PRIZE

2 free places at a Livery Great Hall event to be agreed Quality Central London hotel room for 2 on the night

£400 of gift vouchers & a bottle of vintage champagne

The BMF has once again partnered with the Worshipful Company of Marketors.

The BMF Marketing Excellence Award recognises individuals who have gone above and beyond in their business by developing and implementing innovative marketing ideas or identifying new opportunities that enhance their company.

SPONSORED BY

The awards will be presented at the on Thursday 18 September.

The 2025 BMF Young Achiever Awards recognise individuals under 35 who have demonstrated exceptional business acumen by implementing new ideas, concepts, or spotting opportunities that significantly enhance their business.

Consider your nominations for the 2 categories of this award; - Young Merchant Achiever - Young Supplier/Service Achiever.

Scan the QR code for more information and to submit your nominations now! www.bmf.org.uk 02476 854990

Closing date for entries is Thursday 31 July 2025.

SPONSORED BY

Billed as “the next evolution of ERP software,” Intact says that its launch of GenetiQ is “set to redefine industry standards.” PBM reveals more.

This time it’s personal

Wit h “ p ers ona lis at ion, automat ion and intel ligence at its core, ” G enet iQ f rom Int ac t is a ne w, cloud-nat ive, brows er-b as e d ERP s olut ion w hich is desig ne d to ad apt to t he “unique ne e ds of e ver y business.” G enet iQ pronounce d ‘genet ic’ of fers a “de eply p ers ona lis e d exp er ience” w it h conf igurable s cre ens, work f lows, menus and commands.

■ Celebrating its 150th anniversar y in 2024, Sydenhams has recently par tnered with Intact to help drive its strategic vision for digital transformation and position the company for its next phase of growth A key factor in the merchant’s choice of Intact iQ business management software was said to be its advanced functionality, and specifically its ability to seamlessly manage and share information.

Oliver Sherborne, Sydenhams’ Director, explained: “After an extensive evaluation of software providers, we recognised Intact’s best-in-class, out-ofthe-box business management solution and flexible approach to customer needs as the per fect fit for us. ” Fur thermore, Sydenhams was also said to be impressed by the software specialist’s “commitment to delivering customisable software solutions, backed by a talented

Users can further personalise the system via automation features such as business rules, alerts and next-best actions to streamline operations and reduce manual effort The platform also delivers built-in business intelligence across all areas of the software, allowing users to “ go beyond standard reporting, uncover powerful insights and drive real action ” Gary Brookshaw, Intact’s Product Director, said: “Personalisation has been at the heart of

development team’s ability to integrate and adapt the platform to specific business requirements ”

Sydenhams’ confidence in Intact was fur ther strengthened by the ser vice provider’s established presence in its target markets and proven track record of success Having witnessed the “tangible improvements” Intact brought to industr y peers and other For tis members like PGR Timber and JT Atkinson, the merchant recognised how its “histor y of helping similar organisations unlock their full potential aligned per fectly with Sydenhams’ vision for the next chapter of its business development.”

Simon Barber, Head of Merchant Sales at Intact, commented: “We’re excited to welcome another senior For tis member to Intact. Sydenhams, with its

our customer promise from day one, and with GenetiQ we ’ ve been able to go beyond what’s been possible before. Unmatched levels of personalisation, automation and business insights are included throughout the software This is unheard of in our industry and really sets a new standard ”

With a modern, intuitive interface, the sleek, browser-based design includes screen-specific help content and step-by-

five generations of heritage and strong presence across southern England, is a per fect cultural fit for us as an independent family business Following our discussions with the team, we ’ re excited about our future collaboration and the oppor tunities ahead ”

step workf lows that have been created to deliver stress-free onboarding and a seamless user experience The platform’s personalisation features extend to its inline help content, which can be customised to fit the unique processes of each customer, significantly reducing training time and allowing new users to work efficiently from day one

As a true cloud-native solution, Intact says that the platform delivers “enterprise-grade security, seamless scalability and high performance without the burden of complex IT maintenance ” Businesses can access their ERP system from any device with an internet connection, ensuring flexibility and business continuity They will also benefit from a future-proof solution designed to evolve with their needs

“We see AI playing a transformative role in ERP software, from intelligent automation to predictive insights.”

Artificial intelligence

Despite its recent debut, the company is already planning further announcements around the AI capabilities of the product As Aidan Lawless, the firm’s CTO, explains: “We see AI playing a transformative role in ERP software, from intelligent automation to predictive insights. That’s why we designed GenetiQ with AI-readiness at its core, and

we’ll be sharing our innovative plans for this space in the coming weeks.”

The platform is built on the same proven framework as the company ’ s proven Intact iQ. So, while it has been “reimagined from the ground up for the cloud,” the new product is said to retain the depth and intelligence of its predecessor. CEO Justin Lawless said: “GenetiQ adds the power of cloud technolog y to our offering, giving businesses a future-ready solution built for growth. At the same time, we remain fully committed to the ongoing development of Intact iQ and Intact Xline, with dedicated roadmaps already in place, as we shared at our recent Interact user event ”

■ For more information, use the shortcode www rdr link/mbs015

Making a dig ital difference

In the face of growing pressure to modernise and meet the demands of today’s online-first customer base, the findings in PushOn’s Building the Future: The Evolution of Construction eCommerce report highlight increasing concern around the sector’s readiness for digital transformation

For example, looking at eCommerce aspects specifically, more than a quarter of UK construction suppliers and builders’ merchants are said to be struggling to keep pace with digital change, creating a stark divide from those who are confidently moving for ward

Indeed, according to the research, one in five (21%) businesses admit they are “falling behind”, while a further 5% have not yet begun adopting modern eCommerce practices at all And even where digital adoption is progressing in parts of the industr y, significant challenges remain

Just over 12% said they are not prepared for mobile-first commerce, for instance, while nearly a fifth (19%) struggle with inflexible eCommerce systems that “ can’t adapt to changing customer demands.” Six per cent even described their platforms as “not flexible at all ”

Current digital capabilities are a cause of growing dissatisfaction, with more than one in ten respondents (14%) stating they were unhappy with their existing eCommerce

platforms, citing issues around functionality and support Furthermore, 56% of those sur veyed admitted they are struggling to align their eCommerce strategies with wider business goals an indication that many still treat online operations as an add-on, rather than a central part of their long-term growth plans

According to Sam Rutley, Managing Director of PushON, many merchants “risk losing relevance” if they continue to delay digital transformation. He commented: “Many in the industr y still see eCommerce as a bolt-on or a threat to the way they’ve always worked But the reality is that it’s now expected by customers

“ To stay comp etitive, (merchants) need to ac t decisively and embrace platforms and pro cess es that are f lexible, mobile-optimis ed, and aligned with mo dern c ustomer exp ec tations ”

He added: “The recognition is there, but execution is lagging. This is a sector with huge potential to benefit from digital innovation, but it needs strong leadership and a willingness to challenge old assumptions.”

As digital transformation accelerates across the sector, many builders’ merchants risk falling further behind by not taking full advantage of advances in eCommerce, AI adoption and data-driven marketing. So says a new report from specialist digital marketing agency, PushOn.

Artificial Intelligence

Perhaps more positively, the research shows that many merchants are “accelerating investment” in AI as they seek to modernise operations The study found that nearly half of businesses in the sector (49%) see the rise of AI and automation as “the most significant trend shaping their digital strategies,” ahead of platform upgrades and product information management

The report reveals a “sharp uptick” in the use of AI to drive personalisation, forecasting and customer experience improvements Nearly two-thirds of those sur veyed said they were already using AI to offer personalised recommendations to customers, with plans to expand further, while inventor y forecasting and stock management are also undergoing transformation with 40% of companies deploying AI to “better predict demand and optimise supply chains ”

AI’s impact extends into customer ser vice and marketing operations Almost half of businesses (48%) report using AI chatbots to enhance responsiveness and support, while

46% are automating their marketing efforts to streamline operations

Enhanced site search functionality, using AI to better match customer queries with relevant products, has also emerged as a key investment area, with 49% of businesses investing in smarter search tools to drive better online engagement and conversion rates

Marketing methods

In terms of digital priorities, however, businesses are shown to be focusing on eC ommerce platform upgrades (40%), AI

implementation (30%) and Product Information Management systems (38%), which help centralise and manage product data. Whilst all are clearly essential considerations in a changing landscape, digital marketing initiatives appear to be somewhat overlooked with only 11% planning to prioritise ‘marketing and marketing technolog y ’ in 2025, despite their crucial role in customer acquisition and retention

The report identifies several barriers to investment, with 39% citing budget constraints, 56% pointing to senior resistance to change and 18% highlighting a lack of internal expertise or resources This reluctance to invest is also reflected in the underutilisation of marketing automation,

with only 24% of businesses “currently integrating it into their tech stack ” Without these advanced tools, PushOn cautions that companies “ may be missing opportunities to streamline campaigns, enhance customer engagement, and improve conversion rates.”

The study also found that although 86% of respondents express confidence in their data capabilities, ongoing challenges remain. Thirty-eight percent admit to inconsistent data quality, while 33% say “siloed data systems” are a major issue. These issues “ may hinder the effective use of customer insights and limit businesses’ ability to optimise their marketing strategies.”

■ Based on a nationwide sur vey of senior decision-makers within the UK construction supply chain, the PushOn research can be downloaded via www.rdr.link/mbs016

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

TRADEKART STUART PARTNERSHIP

Last-mile delivery specialist Stuart has partnered with TradeKart, reputedly the UK’s fastest-growing on-demand marketplace for tradespeople, to bring about faster, more reliable material deliveries directly to job sites Indeed, with one in five tradespeople said to have experienced costly delays due to difficulties in sourcing materials, by integrating Stuart’s logistics network with TradeKart’s app-based platform the collaboration is designed to give tradespeople near-instant access to over 85,000 trade products often delivered within 30 minutes.

Stuart will power TradeKart’s lastmile delivery operations, enabling merchants to meet rising expectations for same-day and rapid delivery in urban areas The partnership is also set to improve operational efficiency for small businesses and support more sustainable delivery models

TradeKart CEO Alistair McAuley said: “Over 300 million hours a year are lost by tradespeople collecting materials Our vision is to offer tradespeople across the UK the products and services they need, wherever and whenever they need them, all from the palm of their hand

“This exciting new partnership with Stuart gives us even greater ability to service our customers more efficiently and reliably, meaning they can focus on what they do best rather than waste all that valuable time ”

■ Find out more via www.rdr.link/mbs017

STITCH AI WHATSAPP BUSINESS

Builders’ merchants are being urged to address the growing issues surrounding staff using personal messaging apps like WhatsApp to communicate with customers. Counter staff are increasingly finding that trade customers no longer answer the phone like they used to, and emails are remaining unread. Accordingly, they are turning to faster, more direct channels like WhatsApp often via their personal devices

“The moment a conversation moves to a personal phone, it’s outside business control,” warns Paul Gandar, founder of Stitch AI and a specialist in business messaging solutions for the trade sector “It’s a GDPR risk, impossible to manage and totally invisible to managers ”

Staff are using personal WhatsApp accounts to send quotes, confirm stock, and chase orders but this creates silos, lacks oversight and puts customer data at risk

Even issuing work phones doesn’t solve the problem, as chats remain disconnected from business systems

As a solution, Stitch AI says that its purpose-built Business Messaging Suite enables merchant firms to use WhatsApp professionally, compliantly, and at scale whilst integrating it into a shared, cloud-based messaging system where:

● Multiple staff can access and manage conversations

● All chats are logged, secure, and GDPR compliant

● Customers can message the business from a WhatsApp icon on the website, just like making a call

● Managers have full visibility into response times, message quality, and customer satisfaction

“If your team is already using WhatsApp, you’ve already lost control,” says Paul “However, the right platform protects your data, boosts customer experience, and turns messaging into a real sales tool ”

■ For more information on Stitch AI, a Meta-recognised Tech Provider, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbs018

BORDER MERCHANT SYSTEMS “EVERYTHING YOU NEED UNDER ONE ROOF”

Since 1990, Border has been working with independent merchants of all sizes to help them efficiently manage and control every aspect of their business The company says that its software “gives you everything you need” whilst its expert support team in Monmouth is geared up to ensure customers “get the very best out of their investment ”

Standard features of its CounterAct system include CRM, Stock Control, Reports Analysis, Quotations, Purchasing, Fully Integrated Accounts and Delivery Management whilst a huge range of system options encompasses elements such as ePOD and Online Customer Delivery Tracking, Customer Web Portal, Integrated Chip & Pin plus Prommt Pay by Link

Furthermore, the business was originally formed as a support company, so providing first class support to its users is “at the centre of everything that we do ” Accordingly, comprehensive aftercare and maintenance from its in-house team covers initial and ongoing training plus dedicated telephone and online support alongside a comprehensive YouTube channel featuring ‘how to’ videos and webinars in addition to regular e-newsletters, user meetings and system updates for compliance and the latest releases

■ Use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbs019 to discover more.

Pumped up

Tucson Pumps has been a trusted name in high-performance pumping technolog y for decades. At its core, Tucson is dedicated to enhancing ever yday life through innovative water and heating solutions for both domestic and light commercial applications Known for reliable products, effortless installation, and longterm durability, the range is ideal for merchants looking to offer quality solutions to their trade customers

Common issues like low mains pressure, weak showers and inefficient heating circulation continue to cause frustration Tucson offers a complete range of targeted solutions to meet these demands whether in homes, businesses, or for large-scale projects Equinox Shower Pumps, MetaBoost Mains Booster Pumps, and Energ y-Efficient Circulating Pumps are purpose built to solve these problems efficiently, helping your customers reduce call-backs, improve system performance, and get the job done right the first time

Empowering merchants

In partnership with its sister-company Instantor, Tucson has a Mobile Training Academy which merchants can book to visit their premises to carr y out expert training and product demonstrations on-site The innovative mobile unit is designed to provide an enriched insight into the Tucson

Pumps portfolio and Instantor press solutions in a dynamic, hands-on environment.

Training allows trade counter staff to better understand Tucson’s products and the ser vices on offer, which they can relay to their customers In addition, Tucson has a dedicated training and testing facility in Dublin where it hosts Discover y Days for merchants to not only learn the products inside out, but to see first-hand the testing procedures that give customers confidence in the reliability of its solutions.

Tucson Pumps also has a full-time dedicated in-house after-sales team of qualified plumbers. Should a merchant or their customer need technical support, certifications, or post-installation support, the team will contact them directly to help find a solution From assistance over the phone, to visiting a job site if needs be, the technical team is available at any stage for merchants to rely on.

Pump selection made easy

Tucson Pumps has recently revitalised its website to create a practical, easy-to-navigate resource hub that merchants can use to help customers choose the correct pump for any job or project with ease The updated platform features clear, up-to-date product information, quick-access technical data, as well as guidance and support to streamline

PLUMBING & HEATING

Alongside its Instantor sister brand, Tucson Pumps made the strategic move last year to develop its business in the UK following its long-established success in its home market of Ireland. UK Sales Director Dan Wild explains more.

“Common issues like low mains pressure, weak showers and inefficient heating circulation continue to cause frustration.”

every stage of the pump selection process

Each pump now has its own dedicated webpage which details the product information, technical data, what accessories are included and links to supporting literature. Certification and warranty information is also clearly marked so that merchants can recommend the correct pump with ease and confidence

In addition, the latest brochure is also available to view for those looking to browse the entire product range What’s more, the website now hosts a support hub to help with frequently asked questions, covering topics such as ErP compliance, maintenance needs and troubleshooting tips.

Complete solutions for common needs

Tucson Equinox Shower Pumps ensure a strong, consistent flow of water, transforming poor water pressure into a powerful and refreshing shower experience With advanced engineering and installer-

Tucson Equinox Shower Pump

Tucson MetaBoost Modulating Booster Pump

PLUMBING & HEATING

friendly features, they offer quiet operation, durable performance, and easy installation

The MetaBoost range, meanwhile, comprises mains boost pumps that are designed to deliver powerful, reliable water pressure exactly when and where it’s needed Whether combating low mains pressure in homes, apartments or commercial properties, they ensure a consistent and

efficient water flow for optimal system performance. The MetaBoost range consists of Constant Speed Booster Pumps and Modulating Booster Pumps

Equally, Tucson Circulating Pumps are optimised for domestic hot water systems The range supports stable flow, reduces heat loss and enhances overall system efficiency ErP-compliant and engineered for easy integration, these pumps help improve energ y performance while enhancing the overall comfort at home

Lastly, the Tucson Universal Pump Head Replacement Kit is an innovative solution that fits many leading boiler brands and

provides a quick, easy, and hassle-free way to replace pump heads including models from Grundfos and Wilo. It’s suitable for solar pumping stations, gas and oil boilers, heat pumps, pellet and biomass boilers, general heating pump head replacements and installations where the pump manifold is inaccessible or difficult to replace

Available in clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) models, it is compatible as a replacement head on a PWM controlled or non-PWM controlled pump

Tucson has designed a handy Compatibility Chart that supports merchants in selecting the appropriate pump for their customer’s retrofit, depending on the brand of the existing boiler pump

■ For more information on the Tucson Pumps product range and its support ser vices for merchants, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbs020

The Instantor and Tucson Mobile Training Academy

Go with the flow

Mike Oxley, Technical Training Manager for Salamander Pumps, discusses the risk factors when it comes to managing water flow and pressure issues in renovation projects, outlining some of the key solutions.

Arecent sur vey by uSwitch has highlighted the motivations amongst homeowners to undertake home improvement projects

With a number of reasons inf luencing the decision to conduct home improvement work, the sur vey also highlighted that when it comes to selling homes, bathroom upgrades along with the benefits of downstairs toilets and ensuite bathrooms were amongst the most desirable features to attract potential buyers

Howe ver, w hen under taking such upgrades for renovation and remo delling works in bathro oms, washro oms and utility ro oms esp ecially within large buildings one of the unintended cons equences can b e the p otential drop in water f low and pressure.

Indeed, according to research by Salamander Pumps, 40% of homeowners experience low water pressure and flow daily. Whether it’s a dribbling tap, slow-filling bath, poorly performing shower or the effect on appliance such as a dishwasher or washing machine, the impact is frustrating.

Consequently, as merchants liaise with installers and their customers on renovation projects, it is essential to consider the potential water pressure and flow issues And alongside areas which would be ordinarily discussed as part of a bathroom or washroom renovation project such as fixtures and fittings, there’s an opportunity to embed water flow and pressure into the conversations

This ranges from appreciating how issues arise and directing installers to a portfolio of water boosting solutions to ensure it is an issue which is addressed proactively

How water demand

One of the most significant factors behind flow and pressure challenges is water demand. If projects increase outlet number, the chances of water demand exceeding supply capacity increases This is particularly true in projects involving larger, multi-level homes where there are already elevated water demands

Furthermore, installing outlets higher in the home, including loft conversions, usually

means more water pressure is needed to reach the top floor, and pressure will drop with each floor.

C a lc u l at ing water demand t hroug h t he met ho ds in BS EN 806-3 is a cr it ic a l e arly step. This a l lo c ates lo ading units b as e d on f low rates at draw of f p oints, lengt h of t ime appli ances are in us e and f re quenc y of us e. By mapping demand, pressure and f low, your inst a l ler c ustomers c an consider t he r isk of f uture cha l lenges and ass ess s olut ions re quire d

Why project materials present challenges

Material factors such as pipe material, size, the number of fittings, valves and turns can exacerbate low water flow and pressure

Although UK Building Regulations (Part G) advises pipe sizing to ensure efficient water delivery without pressure loss or excessive stagnation, post-renovation challenges occur as this is a complex balance.

Lengthy pipe runs can create friction and decrease water pressure and flow rates, whereas oversized pipework can slow water movement and increase the risk of

stagnation Undersized pipes, meanwhile, can create excessive pressure drops and adding turns to the pipework system can potentially increase friction

Modern taps can also be problematic, especially if they are designed only for high pressure systems or are restrictive by their nature

Multi-outlet, multi-floor water boosting

Given the risks of water pressure and flow challenges with remodelling works, it is essential for installers to consider the available portfolio of solutions at the start of the project cycle. For example, a single solution designed to boost a household’s water flow and pressure, such as TankBoost, can be considered

These products are engineered as an all-in-one unit combining a storage tank and integrated submersible pump to support a wide range of property sizes By combining these features, a solution such as TankB oost increases the water pressure and f low in a mains-fed system up to 3 bar and 80L/min across multiple levels and outlets

When c a lc u l at ing hous ehold water demand in proj e c ts, it’s imp or t ant t hat inst a l lers have access to a range of storage t an ks. The Tan kB o ost unit, for example, comes in a range of sizes f rom 100L to 450L To incre as e c ap acit y, t here is t he opt ion to lin k addit iona l storage t an ks rang ing f rom 100L to 450L for adde d vers at i lit y

Staying ahead

Water flow and pressure will always be a risk for remodelling works, although there are ways to remain on top of the issue through the recommendation of proactive solutions By understanding the challenge early on and mapping requirements, merchants can ensure installers and contractors can avoid uncomfortable conversations with clients and direct them to appropriate solutions.

■ For more information on Salamander Pumps’ range of products and support services for merchants, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbs021

Twist and push

SNL Plumbing’s Stanley Tabersham offers an installer’s perspective on the Hep2O Keyless Push-Fit System from Wavin in the latest video on PBM’s sister title Professional Heating & Plumbing Installer’s YouTube channel.

Previewed at last year ’ s InstallerSHOW and launched to the market soon aer, Hep2O Keyless marked the latest expansion of Wavin’s plastic push-fit offering Its fih generation fitting, the range features an innovative twostage twist and push functionality, eliminating the need for a demounting key and offering a smaller, more compact design Purchased in a pre-locked position so they are ready to install straight out of the box, the Keyless range retains much of the trusted functionality of the original Hep2O line and is compatible with a wide range of plastic and copper fittings Product development was guided by feedback from plumbers and installers, addressing common challenges such as lengthy installation times and working in confined spaces

In the video on the PHPI YouTube channel, Stanley picks up on this point

Keyle

noting: “[One] thing they have managed to do is make the fitting smaller and slimmer, which is great for us because we work in tight spaces behind cylinders, under sinks, behind toilets, under baths ” He continues: “Even though they’ve made the fittings smaller and slimmer, they’ve been able to optimise the flow rate ”

In4Sure technolog y

Backed by a 50-year guarantee, the Hep2O Keyless system incorporates Wavin’s In4Sure technolog y which secures joints with a distinctive ‘rumble’ during installation As Stanley says: “One of the other features I really liked was the In4Sure system It gives you positive feedback that your pipe is definitely inside, all the way into the fitting And if we have to dismantle it for any reason, it is a simple quarter turn, pull the collar, and the pipe comes apart ” Stanley concludes: “My go-to has always been the Hep2O Keyed system Now that I have tried the Keyless system, it is going to be my one going for ward.”

While the original Hep2O range remains a popular choice, Wavin states it is committed to providing merchants with flexible options that meet the diverse needs of individual projects Speaking at the time of the release, Steve Harris, Technical Support Engineer at the manufacturer, said: “Developing this range in-hand with tradespeople has been key We’re excited to launch the next generation of our Hep2O

fittings, enabling merchants to offer their customers a variety of solutions tailored to specific project requirements ”

■ To watch the video, use the shortcode www rdr link/mbs022

■ Sample packs, brochures and point of sale on the range are available from Wavin. Find out more via www.rdr.link/mbs023

PLUMBING & HEATING

DRAYTON NEXT GEN WISER

Drayton has extended the capability of its Wiser system, combining all the smart heating benefits with a range of new smart home devices to create the all-in-one solution for home automation and efficiency

Wiser 2nd Generation enables installers to offer their customers a smarter, more connected home, thanks to the launch of a number of new products that can be incorporated into the system and managed via the Wiser Home app This includes the Smoke Alarm, Window and Door Sensor, Water Leakage Sensor, Temperature and Humidity Sensor, Motion Sensor, Lighting Dimmer Micromodule, Shades Control Micromodule and Power Micromodule

The Wiser 2nd Generation HubR is the brains of the new system Available in 1, 2 and 3 channel variants, it allows advanced heating control and combined with the new devices, enables complete home automation

■ Use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbs024 to discover more.

INSTANTOR

LEAD-FREE BRASS COMPRESSION F

BAXI PRE-PLUMBED ASHP CYLINDER

With the increasing demand for air source heat pumps, Baxi is helping engineers simplify and speed up installations with the launch of its new ASHP Pre-plumbed Cylinder Designed specifically to work with the manufacturer’s ASHPs, the cylinder provides optimal heating and hot water performance while helping homeowners save energy.

Helping installers save time on installation as much of the pipework and fittings are already in place, the cylinder also comes pre-wired, further simplifying and reducing time needed on electrical connections Available in capacities of 170, 210, 250 or 300 litres to ensure installers have the flexibility needed for a wide range of projects, its compact footprint will enable installation into an airing cupboard or smaller space

■ For further information, use www.rdr.link/mbs025

WILO HOT WATER CIRCULATION PUMP

As part of the efficiency-first manufacturer’s transition away from traditional bronze pumps, Wilo has unveiled its new Yonos PICO-Z secondary hot water circulation pump The stainless-steel pump has been designed as a modern and energy efficient alternative to bronze pumps, such as Wilo’s SB30, which will be discontinued from August 2025

This comes amid the concern that bronze pumps are antiquated in terms of their technology, as they often only offer up to three fixed speed settings which can draw as much as 100 watts, making them energy intense

By comparison, the Yonos PICO-Z range offers 42 flow rate settings, with an LED display to show the exact rate chosen The pump also has a constant pressure setting, again with 42 options, to ensure the required pressure is maintained in a balanced system and makes it suitable a range of domestic and commercial applications Here, installers still have the chance to pick from three pre-programmed flow settings for further ease of use

■ More details can be found via www.rdr.link/mbs026

In response to growing concerns drinking water quality and associa health risks, Instantor has enhanc market-leading range of compression fittings by introducing lead-free brass options. Manufactured with CW51 brass, this high-grade material is used on all parts of the compression fittings that come into contact with the water supply.

The material complies with the revised European Commission Drinking Water Directive, which aims to regulate the use of lead in components used in water supply systems The current maximum limit for lead in drinking water is 10 µg/l, however the revised directive states that by January 2036, the limit will decrease to 5 µg/l2.

Suitable for use with copper and PEX tubes, the lead-free compression fittings are available in imperial (½, ¾ and 1 inch) and metric (15, 22 and 28 mm) sizes to benefit both the UK and Irish markets

■ Enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbs027 for more information.

STELRAD RADIATORS

FASTER DELIVERY FOR COLOURED RADIATORS

Stelrad has introduced a new quicker turnaround service for the supply of some of its radiators in colour. Initially, this new rapid turnaround service will apply to the popular Column and Concord ranges, and to the Classic Towel Rail, Caliente and Concord towel rail products when ordered in one of the now 55 standard RAL colours and finishes within the huge range of radiators available

A significant increase over the previous 32 or 35 colour options, the lead time has been reduced from the current eight weeks to up to fourteen days. Further improvements and additions will be announced in due course

■ Full details of this new service can be found via www.rdr.link/mbs028

MARKETING SUPPORT

A personal commitment

When it comes to marketing support for its stockists, Bond It states that it simply doesn’t offer ‘one size fits all’ solutions. Instead, the supplier looks to tailor its assistance to suit different customers, geographical areas and even individual outlets.

“Thinking outside of the box” has helped to shape Bond It into the business it is today Indeed, according to the supplier, a “penchant for innovation” in areas ranging from new product development to ser vice deliver y have supported its success, enabling it to become one of the market’s largest, Britishbased manufacturers of sealants, adhesives and building chemicals

Perhaps unsurprisingly then, the business also lays claim to doing things differently when it comes to marketing support Ian Moir, Head of Sales & Marketing, explains: “With Bond It, stockists enjoy the best of both worlds when it comes to marketing support We offer them all the benefits they’d expect of dealing with a large business active across the UK and that has a centralised marketing function, but with the added benefit of a more localised and responsive decision-making process

“In essence, it’s a case of national reach with a local touch ”

As part of this approach, Bond It allocates each of its area sales managers, who are strategically located across the UK, their own marketing support budget and the autonomy to invest it as they see fit

As a prime example, Liz Tovar, the manufacturer’s ASM for the South, recently delivered a unique support solution to Wingate Builders’ Merchants in Ilford, East London Liz said: “Having access to a pool of

pre-created marketing assets to help customers is great but sometimes it’s also beneficial to provide assistance that isn’t off-the-shelf

“Wingate enjoys a prime location on Ilford Lane which is a busy main road. This makes the whole of the merchant’s shopfront a prime piece of visual real estate, passed by hundreds of people ever y day.”

To capitalise on this potential for passing trade, Liz and the Bond It team turned a large area of the business’ frontage into what is effectively a low-cost billboard Bespoke graphics promoting the Bond It range available from Wingate were produced and applied to an expanse of window space.

Wingate owner, Mandip Claire, was thrilled with the final result He commented: “We have dealt with Bond It for many years and value them as a supplier, but this has surpassed all expectations The shopfront looks amazing, and you certainly can’t miss us

“Our approach to marketing support enables us to accommodate the different demands of these individual customers and to provide solutions that are right for them.”

that provided by

It to other merchant customers To date, this has included ever ything from supplying digital in-store displays and sponsoring golf days to partnering on branded clothing for merchant staff

Ian Moir sums up by saying: “At Bond It, we value the diversity of our stockists and are a partner to businesses that range from single site independents through to the UK’s largest chains. Our approach to marketing support enables us to accommodate the different demands of these individual customers and to provide solutions that are right for them.”

■ For more information on Bond It’s bespoke support ser vices for merchants, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbs029

or the fact that we ’ re a proud Bond It stockist ” The support offered to Mandip and the Wingate team mirrors

Bond

TALASEY

NEW LOOK JOINTING RANGE

the packaging design of talasey’s Pavetuf collection of jointing products has been given a boost as part of a plan to make the range stand out more as well as the new look, the range has increased to five products with a new Fine Finish jointing Compound, a sand set jointing sand and Flowable jointing Mortar joining the existing all-Weather jointing Compound and jointing grout Business Development Manager sam Norman said: “the new look and new products are a double whammy for Pavetuf Our design team have come up with fantastic new branding on our packaging, which is really eyecatching on the shelves at merchants whilst the new additions make our range of products much more complete for landscapers, so they don’t have to mix and match brands from different suppliers ” Use www.rdr.link/mbs030 for more information.

SIKA UK BRAND CAMPAIGN

Designed to boost sales via merchant stockists, sika uK has launched a new, integrated brand campaign that puts tradespeople at the heart of the story under the theme of ‘Bring it On,’ and shining a light on the great work of tradespeople, the campaign aims to raise awareness of how the supplier’s extensive range of products can meet the wide-ranging needs of uK trades from builders, plasterers and joiners to roofers and landscapers

Darren Bunting, Business unit Manager uK Distribution for sika, commented: “We appreciate the pressures tradespeople face to get the job done right first time Whether it’s a no-compromise patio finish, a quality bonding solution or the very best plaster mix, our product answers and expertise give users the confidence to tackle any task ” Discover more via www.rdr.link/mbs031

TUCSON PUMPS REVAMPED WEBSITE

“Driven by a commitment to innovative design and customer support,” tucson Pumps has revitalised its website to create a practical, easy-to-navigate resource hub the updated platform features clear, up-to-date product information, quick-access technical data, as well as guidance and support to streamline every stage of the pump selection and maintenance process

Each tucson pump now has its own dedicated webpage, which details the product information, technical data, what accessories are included and links to supporting literature Certification and warranty information is also clearly marked in addition to a new support hub featuring FaQs alongside the option to view the supplier’s latest brochure

Visit the new website via www rdr link/mbs032

FRONTLINE BATHROOMS / SMITHS BRITEN DISCOUNTED PRODUCT GUIDES

Frontline Bathrooms and smiths Briten have launched their respective new discounted 2025 product guides Designed to make sourcing and selling easier, Price Crash (Frontline) and trade savers (smiths) each have 100s of products listed that have up to 70% off the RRP

Covering everything from everyday essentials to bestsellers across bathroom and plumbing categories, the sister companies state they can offer reliable stock at consistently competitive prices and to help merchants further pricing has been held at 2024 levels across most categories

Use the relevant shortcode to find out more: Frontline Bathrooms www.rdr.link/mbs034, Smiths Briten www.rdr.link/mbs035

BRIO UK REFRESHED WEBSITE

aligned with Brio’s updated brand identity, the new website introduces a modern look, intuitive interface and user-friendly navigational system all designed to enhance the user experience and support customers looking to discover more about the company ’ s range of high-quality sliding and folding door hardware systems

Fresh functionality features combine with an extensive collection of essential resources, including new product imagery, updated technical drawings, downloadable datasheets and product information tables the new site will also feature a news section, where visitors can learn about new product launches, events and company announcements

Visit the new website via www.rdr.link/mbs033

For more examples of supplier support for merchants on the PBM website, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbs036

SETCRETE

FAST-TRACK PRIMER DPM

Setcrete has launched a new fast-track, twoin-one Damp Proof Membrane (DPM) and primer which is said to “dramatically cut” the time required to wait before installing floorcoverings over newly poured screeds

The one-component, ready-to-use product is applied to sound, smooth and clean sand/cement screed or concrete surfaces in two coats with a roller to create a barrier against residual construction moisture where relative humidity levels are up to 95%.

Each coat requires 15-30 minutes drying time, meaning a barrier against residual construction moisture can be created in less than an hour, eliminating the need to wait for subfloors to dry sufficiently to install floorcoverings without risking floor failure

■ Use www.rdr.link/mbs037 for further details.

DEVA BY METHVEN PENDLE PULL-OUT RINSER

Designed to bring greater flexibility and ease of installation to modern kitchens, Deva by Methven has enhanced its kitchen tap range with the addition of the Pendle pull-out kitchen rinser The Pendle features a tilt-andturn single lever for precise temperature and flow control, complemented by a pull-out nozzle for extended reach and convenience

ARBOR FOREST PRODUCTS

ARBOR EDGE MDF RANGE

Backed by a significant investment in production technology and part of a wider programme of upgrades across its North Lincolnshire site, Arbor Forest Products has unveiled its newly rebranded Arbor Edge MDF mouldings range The investment is said to make the company the only UK manufacturer to integrate this level of sanding technology between coats, with the result being “a flawless finish, improved efficiency and a market-leading product that sets new standards in quality ”

Additional benefits are said to include double priming to save time on site, low VOC emissions and custom-made profiling for the moistureresistant, high-density boards

Available with a 36-hour delivery lead time, all Arbor Edge products are manufactured to ISO 9001 standards with full traceability

The manufacturer’s innovative ‘Warehouse on Wheels’ service, meanwhile, allows for the distribution of a wide range of products MDF, timber, decking and more onto dedicated articulated trailers that function as mobile warehouses These trailers visit customer sites regularly, allowing merchants to replenish stock quickly and flexibly to “reduce lead times, improve availability and eliminate the need to overstock.”

■ To discover the Arbor Edge range or request a sample pack, use www.rdr.link/mbs039

DART TOOL GROUP JIGSAW BLADE SETS

DART has enhanced the packaging of its popular 10-Piece Jigsaw Blade Set (DJBS10), reinforcing the company’s commitment to user safety and product reliability The revised design, developed in response to customer feedback, minimises the risk of accidental contact with the blades to make it safer for tradespeople without compromising convenience or durability

The set is part of a precision-engineered range of quality blades designed for a wide variety of cutting applications, including wood, metal, and plastics Manufactured to exacting standards, the blades are suitable for most major jigsaw brands, including AEG, Bosch, DeWalt, Festool, Makita, Metabo, Panasonic, Milwaukee, HiKoki, Mafell, Sealey, and Flex T

BIRKDALE DURAPOST SLEEPER POST

Engineered specifically for high-pressure systems (minimum 0 5 bar), the range has also been created with installers in mind by offering practical benefits such as flexible tails and a threaded fixing nut for straightforward fitting.

■ For more on the Pendle and other new additions to the portfolio including the Marbury 3-in-1 filter tap and the Clarity 3-in-1 pull-out mixer, go to www.rdr.link/mbs038

A new addition to the practical DuraPost range, the Sleeper T-Post has been designed to offer an easy to install solution for constructing small to medium sized retaining walls The post features 9mm pre-drilled holes compatible with SiteMate Flat-Head, Wafer-Head or Hex-head timber screws and for a tough and durable fixing method, with the T-shaped design providing an ideal method for fixing sleepers to the post

Available in 1 2m, 1 5m, 2 0m and 2 4m lengths, the patented Sleeper TPost is made from roll-formed galvanised structural steel with an extremely durable pre-galvanised coating to ensure corrosion resistance The coating offers a 30-year life expectancy in C2 and C3 environments, as defined in ISO 12994-2:2017

■ For more information, use www.rdr.link/mbs041

■

NORTHSTONE & ONDULINE LOW-PITCH PARTNERSHIP

Roof tile manufacturer Northstone has partnered with Onduline Building Products to expand its offering into the growing low-pitch roofing market The collaboration marks a significant step for both companies, as demand rises for roofing solutions that combine modern aesthetics with robust waterproofing at pitches traditionally considered beyond the scope of standard tile systems Northstone has now adopted Onduline’s ISOLINE LOW LINE sub-roof system, an advanced solution designed to provide secondary waterproof protection beneath traditional roof coverings. Fully compatible with a wide range of tile profiles, the system enables roofing professionals to confidently work on pitches as low as 10°.

■ For further information, use the appropriate shortcode: Northstone www.rdr.link/mbs042 Onduline www.rdr.link/mbs043

MARLEY ACME HERITAGE

The latest addition to the manufacturer’s renowned Acme Single Camber portfolio, the Acme Heritage clay tile range is said to offer a premium roofing solution for those seeking both durability and traditional aesthetic appeal. Available in three colourways Acme Weathered, Ashurst and Aylesham Mix to replicate the natural ageing of traditional clay roofs, advanced manufacturing techniques ensure precision in tile size and shape to allow for a seamless installation and a striking final look Manufactured using Staffordshire Etruria Marl clay, known for its superior strength and longevity, these tiles are designed to deliver a highquality finish suitable for both new builds and refurbishment projects alike

■ Head to www.rdr.link/mbs044 for more.

PJH GROUP PRIMA CERAMIC SINKS

Prima, the exclusive sink, tap and appliance brand from leading distributor PJH, has added a new range of ceramic sinks to its extensive kitchen sink collection. Available in a variety of configurations including Belfast, inset, undermount and reversible designs, the sinks are manufactured from high-quality, heavy-duty fireclay ceramic and finished in a high-gloss glaze in both classic white and on-trend black.

Suitable for cabinet widths from 600mm to 900mm, the collection includes 1-bowl and 1 5-bowl Reversible Sinks (White or Black gloss finishes); Belfast Sinks (Single and Double Bowl options in White gloss); and Undermount and Inset Variants (ideal for contemporary installations) All models have pre-drilled holes for easy fitting, come with a 20-year guarantee and include waste kits as standard too

INTATEC SHOWERING RANGE

Combining premium aesthetics with trusted anti-scald protection, Intatec says its new Inspiration showering collection offers merchants “a clear choice for customers who expect both safety and style ” Available in two distinct styles Enzo and Mio the range brings together thermostatic control, WRAS and TMV2 approval “with designs and functionality that stand out ”

Intatec’s Inspiration collection “carries forward over three decades of anti-scald expertise,” joining a wider bathroom catalogue that includes taps and disabilityadapted showers, where safety is paramount

Both styles are available with single or dual outlets, pairing an overhead soaker with a multi-function handset, and can be wallmounted or concealed for a flush finish Also launching is a full range of matching shower accessories, packaged in striking red and black boxes made entirely from recyclable materials

■ View the Inspiration showers brochure on the Intatec website via www.rdr.link/mbs045

SHURTAPE T-REX WATERPROOF AND REPAIR TAPE

Combining extra strength with mouldable stretch, the new TRex Waterproof and Repair Tape instantly seals out water, air and moisture. Thin (10ml), and easy to conform, Shurtape says it can be stretched and repositioned to hold in extreme weather conditions, as it is UV resistant and able to withstand temperatures from40˚F to 240˚F. It can also work underwater.

Suitable for use on a range of surfaces, from concrete to wood to plastic, the tape is available in white and will soon launch in black and clear variants The 48mm x 9 14m roll is offered to merchants in display packs of six, whilst Shurtape is supporting the launch with a proactive marketing campaign to drive awareness and footfall / traffic

■ Visit www.rdr.link/mbs046 for further information. ■ Discover more via www.rdr.link/mbs047

For more details on these and

Buckbootz ...................................................................page 46 www.rdr.link/mbs105

Builders Merchants Federation ................................page 36 www.rdr.link/mbs106

Chesterfelt Ltd ............................................................page 23 www rdr link/mbs107

Combilift Ltd ................................................................page 31 www rdr link/mbs108

ECI Software Solutions Ltd .......................................page 35 www rdr link/mbs109

FVTH Ltd .....................................................................page 25 www rdr link/mbs110

Garador Ltd .................................................................page 39 www rdr link/mbs111

Geberit Sales Ltd ........................................................page 47 www rdr link/mbs112

Hallstone Developments Ltd page 50 www rdr link/mbs113

Hultafors Group UK Ltd page 10 www rdr link/mbs114

Impact Handling page 32 www rdr link/mbs115

Isuzu Truck (UK) Ltd ...................................................page 29 www rdr link/mbs116

Klipboard .....................................................................page 39 www rdr link/mbs117

Knauf Group ..................................................................page 4 www.rdr.link/mbs118

Okarno Ltd .....................................................................page 9 www.rdr.link/mbs119

Owlett-Jaton ...............................................inside front cover www.rdr.link/mbs120

Professional BUILDER LIVE ......................................page 53 www.rdr.link/mbs121

SEMA Ltd .....................................................................page 26

www rdr link/mbs122

Setcrete .......................................................................page 43

www rdr link/mbs123

Sika Ltd ........................................................................page 20 www rdr link/mbs124

STABILA ......................................................................page 44

www rdr link/mbs125

STAK ............................................................................page 50 www rdr link/mbs126

The L.S. Starrett Company Ltd .................................page 49 www rdr link/mbs127

Ultratape outside back cover www rdr link/mbs128

Wickens Engineering Ltd page 25 www rdr link/mbs129

With Paul Davies

A L L - T I M E G R E AT S !

The prospect of a long summer without a major tournament (and the Club World Cup most certainly does not fill the void !) would usually fill me with dread, but I must confess to rather enjoying a spell free from exhausting brain power on an inevitably flawed transfer policy and equally doomed chip strategy!

Given that the transfer window hasn’t really kicked into life yet (the former Wolves duo of C unh a and A it - Nour i could be of interest, depending on their prices, whilst Liverpool have landed Fl oria n Wi rt z and M il os K e rke z ) and there’s a good few weeks to go before the player list for next season comes out, forward planning isn’t exactly possible anyway

So, let’s look back to the past instead!

Last year, Mo S a la h absolutely smashed his own FPL points record, bagging an insane total of 344 (beating his previous best of 303 from the 2017/18 campaign). I was curious to see who would make up the greatest FPL XI of all time, perhaps hoping to reacquaint myself with some stellar names of yesteryear like Le ig ht on Ba in es (3rd most assists ever from a defender), Cl int D e msp e y (209 points in 2011/12) or M ic hu (a midfield steal with 18 goals for Swansea in 2012/13), but while precious few bargains made the final cut, there were one or two surprises…

Missing the starting line-up but worthy of a place on the bench for top scoring in a particular season, we have Rob in v a n P er si e (269 points for Arsenal in 2011/12 AND 262 at Man Utd twelve months later), Na ni (198 points in 2010/11), E d en Ha z ard (233 in 2014/15), Riy a d M a hre z (240 in 2015/16), Ke v in D e Bru yne with a tally of 251 in 2019/20, Bru no Fe r na nd e s hitting 244 in 2020/21 and Cole Pa l mer top scoring with the same number last year.

All-time FPL XI

GK: Brad Friedel

187 poi nts, 20 02/03

Def: Trent Al exanderAr nold

210 poi nts, 20 19/20

MF: Frank Lampard 2 84 poin ts, 200 9/10

Def: Andy Robe rtson

2 13 poin ts, 201 8/19

MF: Alex is Sa nc he z 264 poi nts, 2 016/1 7

MF: C rist iano Ronaldo 28 3 poin ts, 200 7/08

Def: Virgil van Dijk

20 8 poin ts, 2018 /19

MF: Mo Sal ah 344 poi nts, 2 024/2 5

FW: Luis Suarez

29 5 poin ts, 2013 /14

FW: E rling Ha aland 272 poi nts, 2 022/23

C O U N T I N G D O W N T H E D AY S …

The Premier League campaign kicks off on Fri d ay 15t h Au gus t wi t h Li ve rp ool ta ki ng on Bo ur ne mou th at A nfi e ld. According to the FPL’s ‘Fixture Difficulty Ratings,’ Man Utd, Palace, Fulham and Burnley face the toughest run over over the first ten game weeks whilst Spurs and new boys Sunderland supposedly have the best

FW: Thierry H enry

27 1 poin ts, 2002 /03

starts I’m not sure that’s enough for me to have any of them in my team in August though!

We ’l l b e ba c k soo n for a n oth e r se a son of t he PBM L ea gue , s o ke ep a n e ye on our w e b sit e a nd soc ia l m ed ia c ha nn e ls fo r t he e nt ry c ode !

With thanks to Planet Football and Give Me Sport for some of the stats