fi r s t z e r o t a i l p i p e h e a v y d u t y t r u c k i n b u i l d e r s ’ me rc h a n t o p e r a t i o n i n t h e U K
3 5 C L E A R A N D P RE S E N T R A N G E R
Ti m e d a n d t r a c ke d m e rc h a n t d e l i v e r i e s f o r t h e
t r a d e s e c t o r
3 6 T, H & S R O U N D - U P
PLUMBING & HEATING
3 7 S U S TA I N E D S U R G E F O R S O L A R
C i t y P l u m b i n g r e p o r t s t h a t “ s o l a r d e m a n d h a s
s p i k e d ” a s h o m e o w n e r s r e s p on d t o r i s i n g e n e rg y
c o s t s .
3 8 S U S TA I N A BI L I T Y M E E T S E N E RG Y S E C U R I T Y
P e r s p e c t i v e s o n t h e Fu t u re H om e s S t a n d a r d ,
fo c u s i n g o n i t s i m p a c t i n a n e r a of i n c re a s i n g e n e rg y
u n c e r t a i n t y
4 1 H Y B RI D W A R FA RE
W h e n i t c o m e s t o t h e B oi l e r U p g r a d e S c h e m e
a n d h y b r i d h e a t i n g , I n t a t e c C E O S t u a r t G i z z i
a rg u e s t h a t “ gr a n t r u l e s a re n ot t h e s a m e a s
go o d a d v i c e ”
4 2 C A R E PA C K A G E
O ff e r i n g a d v a n t a g e s f or m e r c h a n t s , B a x i ’s n e w
C a re K i t s a re d e s i g n e d t o ma k e p r e v e n t a t i v e
b o i l e r m a i n t e n a n c e s i m p l e r fo r i n s t a l l e r s
4 3 P R O D U C T S R O U N D - U P
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
4 4 2 4 / 7 S A L E S G R O W TH
L o ok i n g i n t o B e e s l e y & F i l d e s ’ l a u n c h o f a “ f u l l y
a u t on o m ou s A I a ge n t ” t h a t s e a r c h e s l i v e s t o c k ,
b u i l d s q u o t a t i o n s , ma n a g e s t r a d e a c c o u n t s a n d
h a n d l e s c o m p l a i n t s a r o u n d t h e c l o c k .
4 6 T I M E T O D O M O R E H o w A I i s h e l p i n g m e r c h
SPECIAL REPORTS
L u c k y nu m b e r seven?
Well, here we go again then Less than two years after securing a General Election victor y with 411 MPs and a 174-seat majority, Keir Starmer has announced that he is to step down as Prime Minister The downfall of Starmer is truly a tale of our times, with the countr y soon to welcome its seventh Premier in the decade following David Cameron’s decision to walk away in the aftermath of the Brexit vote.
The UK now averages a new PM ever y 18 months, broadly in line with the average tenure of a middling football manager Hmm
Let’s park Starmer for a moment and consider what this says about us Is Britain now effectively ungovernable? Is the countr y so riven by division that no leader can satisf y its desire for immediate yet ill-defined and contradictor y demands for change? Does the amplification of shortform social media content destroy nuance and ser ve to only promote a skewed version of events that means no-one can ever be perceived as being ‘ up to the job’?
Is it that our problems are more institutional in nature? Does the Civil Ser vice ‘blob’ have too much power and influence to dictate or resist the agenda? Do the fiscal rules and the reliance on the bond markets mean we are doomed to an unavoidable cycle of (badly) managed decline?
Or are we just saddled with a generation of self-ser ving, fundamentally lightweight
Editor Paul Davies
“The UK now averages a new PM ever y 18 months, broadly in line with the average tenure of a middling football manager Hmm ”
political leaders who lack the vision and will to develop, champion and crucially implement the policies that will deliver meaningful improvement to the British economy and its citizens?
C ontrar y to the prevailing narrative, Starmer does leave office with some accomplishments to his name Granted, any positives are rather outweighed by the failings, unforced errors and multiple missteps that ultimately sent the ‘ men in grey suits’ (I know that’s usually a Tor y thing ) to come knocking at the now revolving door of Number 10
Of t he many st atements and comments to re ach t he PBM inb ox in re cent d ays, I t hin k t his f rom R ichard B eresford, C hief E xe c ut ive of t he Nat iona l Fe derat ion of Bui lders, sums t hings up rat her ef fe c t ively : “St ar mer was t he f irst Pr ime Minister in s ome t ime t hat promis e d pl anning refor m and ac te d on it The e arly d ays s aw refor ms w it hout consu lt at ion, a commit ment in t he face of cr it ics and an unwaver ing de dic at ion to ensur ing Br it ain bui lds t hings again.
“His ambition must be recognised and credited; however, the pace of implementation, or rather the plodding nature of it, after a strong early showing is also part of his legac y ”
Ouch
S o, in a l l prob abi lit y, we await t he
Group Advertisement Manager Craig Jowsey craig@hamerville co uk Tel: 07900 248102
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coronat ion of t he King in t he Nor t h (and yes, t hat is t he cor re c t phrasing if we ’ re ma k ing t his a Game of Thrones reference ) And Andy Bur n ham, t he ne w MP for Ma ker f ield, genuinely do es s e em to have made a p osit ive, ‘ across t he p olit ic a l div ide’ imp ac t as Mayor of Gre ater Manchester over t he b est p ar t of a de c ade.
Apart from the oft-discussed publicly owned bus network, investment and regeneration have been a central plank of his tenure which has to bode well for the industr y However, running the Mayoralty of a major city is rather a different challenge to being PM Just ask B oris Johnson.
And overall, Burnham is a blank page We know little of where he stands on any major area of polic y, beyond what media commentators are already projecting onto him Is he just Starmer with more ‘vibes’ or can we hope for some real substance?
The additional burdens placed on business by the Stramer administration mean that few in the sector will shed tears over his departure Equally, the wider challenges remain yet the construction sector still stands as one of the most vital keys to growth
May be this time, whoever takes charge as PM, it will finally be different
The 2027 Pavestone Rally has now been officially launched.
With a journey set to take in some spectacular locations enroute from Paris to Ljubljana in Slovenia via stopovers in Geneva, Locarno and Bolzano participants take characterful (but roadworthy ) cars, wear questionable fancy dress and complete a host of improbable challenges along the way
However, the Pavestone Rally is about far more than driving across Europe it is about friendships, laughter, adventure and, more than anything else, raising incredible amounts of money for some truly deserving charities
Over the years, rally teams have already raised more than £900,000 and 2027 provides the opportunity to smash through the £1 million fundraising milestone with the event supporting Rainy Day Trust, CRASH, Band of Builders, the Maddie Rose Foundation and a charity chosen by each team Taking place from 8 – 13 September 2027, registrations are now open for the Pavestone Rally 2027 Head to www.rdr.link/mcd001 for full details.
Get connected
Knauf UK & Ireland has announced a new partnership with Reconomy Connect to enhance its plasterboard take-back ser vice and responsibly manage plasterboard waste, increasing circularity and sustainability across building projects
Plasterboard is a highly recyclable material, with both its gypsum core and paper layers capable of being reprocessed. Despite this, plasterboard waste on construction sites often exceeds expectations If not separated and recycled, it must be disposed of in a separate mono-cell landfill site a process that is not only environmentally detrimental but also highly costly
The new partnership between Knauf and Reconomy Connect is designed to increase circularity by diverting plasterboard waste directly to trusted g ypsum reprocessors, wherever possible This ensures that recycled g ypsum can be fed back into the manufacturing process to create new Knauf plasterboards.
Maddie Rose Foundation launches
The building materials sector has officially launched the Maddie Rose Foundation, a new industry-led charity dedicated to inspiring, supporting and developing the next generation of talent Representing the next stage in the evolution of the Maddie Rose Campaign, which was established in partnership with Construction Youth Trust as a lasting legacy to Maddie Rose Hollamby, the launch coincided with the fifth annual Maddie Rose Golf Day at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield before 190 guests gathered for the evening’s Yellow Tie Dinner
Together, the events raised a £25,000 to support its mission of creating opportunities for young people seeking careers within merchanting, manufacturing and the wider building materials sector Established ‘by the industry, for the industry,’ the Foundation aims to nurture talent, remove barriers to opportunity and provide practical support for those looking to build rewarding, long-term careers within the sector.
Building on the success of the Maddie Rose Campaign, which raised more than £160,000 over the past four years, the Foundation will expand its reach and impact across the UK, providing access to education, training and employment opportunities while supporting businesses in developing future talent pipelines.
The Foundation will work closely with merchants, manufacturers, suppliers and
Destination Marrakech
Following the successful NMBS-hosted event last month, next year ’ s BMF All Industry Conference will be held in North Africa for the first time in the vibrant and historic city of Marrakech Taking place from 10 – 13 June 2027, the event will see TV and radio presenter Gethin Jones return as host following his duties at previous BMF Conferences in Budapest in 2017 and Dubrovnik in 2019, and held at Savoy Le Grand a five-star luxury hotel offering excellent delegate accommodation and
Reaching a 25-year milestone is no small achievement in the construction industr y, yet JCP Fixings states its journey from specialist supplier to one of the UK’s most recognised fixing brands has been built on a simple foundation technical expertise, trusted products, and unwavering support for distributors and installers alike
Established in 2001 as the specialist fixings division of O wlett-Jaton, the business
industry organisations to deliver a range of initiatives, including funding for training courses and professional qualifications; grants, bursaries and scholarships; mentoring and employability support; work experience opportunities; career insight programmes and confidence-building initiatives plus connections with employers across the building materials and construction sectors
Jamie Pierce, Chair of the Maddie Rose Foundation, said: “The Maddie Rose Foundation began life as the Maddie Rose Campaign, created to honour Maddie’s life and legacy, and her passion for promoting careers within the building materials sector and the wider built environment
“The launch of the Foundation marks an exciting new chapter We are now in a position to expand our activities and develop meaningful programmes that will support the next generation of talent entering our sector. For employers, that means a stronger talent pipeline and improved recruitment and retention For the industry, it means greater resilience, innovation and a workforce equipped for the future ” For more information on how to support the Maddie Rose Foundation, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mcd002
stunning views over the High Atlas Mountains
With a theme of ‘Connecting Ideas, Creating Tomorrow’ and Marshalls named as headline sponsor, those wishing to attend are advised to register as soon as possible For full information, including pricing and registration details, visit the Conference website via www rdr link/mcd003
25 years of fixings expertise
offers a comprehensive portfolio of anchoring and fastening solutions from heav y-duty anchors and chemical fixings to specialist application systems that now exceeds 1,800 SKUs, supported by a full technical infrastructure.
CHIC LAUNCHES “ENHANCED MERCHANTS FRAMEWORK”
Social contract
The Communities and Housing Investment Consortium (CHIC) has announced the launch of a new, enhanced Merchants Framework, designed to support social landlords and registered providers with a compliant and flexible route to procure building materials, merchant ser vices, managed stores and specialist supply solutions across a wide range of responsive repairs, planned investment, compliance and retrofit activities
CHIC was formed in 2010 with a mission to “ secure efficiencies and savings for its members’ development and asset management programmes ” and consists of more than 200 organisations across the UK. Developed in collaboration with members, supply chain partners and Efficiency North, the framework has been created to help address ongoing sector challenges including rising material costs, supply chain reliability, inconsistent pricing and limited visibility of purchasing data
Through benchmarked pricing, strategic supplier partnerships and enhanced reporting capabilities, the framework “supports improved operational efficienc y, stronger cost control and more effective long-term asset management outcomes ”
The Merchants Framework provides access to a comprehensive catalogue of materials and
components across approved manufacturers and merchants. Members benefit from volume discounts on commonly used products, transparent procurement practices and regular pricing reviews to ensure continued value for money and competitive supply arrangements
Furthermore, the Framework also “enables landlords to separate materials procurement from labour deliver y, providing greater control over product specification, quality and lifecycle performance while improving cost transparency across projects ” Members can choose between a multi-merchant arrangement, including smaller independent suppliers, or a fully integrated one stop shop approach depending on operational requirements
Giles Newman, Head of Merchant Services at CHIC, said: “Procurement within the housing sector is becoming increasingly complex, particularly as organisations balance financial pressures, compliance responsibilities and the growing demand for sustainability-focused investment. The Merchants Framework has been designed to give members greater visibility and control across their materials supply chain, while also improving consistency, accountability and value for money ”
Low-carbon funding boost
Already manufacturing a low-carbon insulation system MykoSIP engineered to meet the UK Future Homes Standard and the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, Mykor reports that it has secured £4million in funding to accelerate the scale-up of its industrial biofabrication technologies which “transform industrial and agricultural waste” into sustainable construction solutions
The round was led by Clean Growth Fund,
with participation from the British Business Bank’s South Investment Fund via The FSE Group, Green Angel Ventures and support from Innovate UK’s investor partnership programme The latest raise brings total funding secured by the company to £7.5 million.
Rather than operating as a single-product manufacturer, Mykor works as a “technology and process platform,” enabling contractors and manufacturers to integrate low-carbon
Taking on tool theft
Supporting “tradespeople tackling realworld industr y challenges” such as the rising menace of tool theft, Catnic has partnered with Travis Perkins to launch what has been billed as one of its most visible merchant-facing promotions to date In a joint initiative with Wienerberger, any TP account holder purchasing the suppliers’ products in a single transaction will be automatically entered into a free prize draw to win a pair of Tool Trackers.
Marketing Manager Charmaine Dean said: “Catnic is committed to supporting the trade with practical, high impact initiatives that make a real difference on site and on the job These campaigns with Travis Perkins show the strength of our partnership and our shared focus on helping tradespeople protect their tools, stretch their budgets and keep projects moving ”
biomaterials directly into existing production lines and construction systems
Further assisting in its development, wellknown industry stalwart Andy Williamson is also working with the business as a Non-Exec Director
M A R K ET M O N I T O R
BMF downgrades expectations
Citing “geopolitical uncertainty, subdued consumer confidence and weak economic conditions,” the Builders Merchants Federation has downgraded its baseline forecast for 2026 from +2.3% to -1.8%.
The BMF Industry Forecast
Summer 2026 outlines “a range of factors contributing to a more cautious outlook for the construction supply chain.” These include the much weaker-thananticipated start to the year, due to poor weather in January and February, compounded by the ongoing effects of conflict in the Middle East.
With building materials for new housing and home improvement projects forming the core of builders’ merchants’ sales, both segments have been adversely affected by subdued consumer confidence which has weakened demand over a sustained period With housebuilders also facing increased costs that are exacerbating site viability, output is “expected to fall further in 2026 as they await greater certainty about the economic outlook.”
According to the BMF, “such certainty is only likely to come from UK gover nment support or a permanent resolution to the conflict in the Middle East ”
Indeed, its baseline forecast “expects market conditions to deteriorate as the year progresses,” with the conflict’s knock-on effects feeding into the UK economy. It is, however, tempered by lower and upper forecast scenarios of -3.2% and +1.1% — the latter “requiring gover nment stimulus to reignite key market areas, including housebuilding and domestic RMI ”
BMF CEO John Newcomb, commented: “The UK experienced the largest downgrade in growth expectations among the G7 economies in the Inter national Monetary Fund’s latest GDP forecasts. The labour market has also
softened in recent months, further eroding confidence amongst UK consumers and businesses.
“Construction is one of the most vulnerable areas of the economy, with elevated levels of business distress and insolvencies highlighting the challenges facing many firms ”
“ Cons t r uct ion is one of t he m os t vul ner abl e ar eas of t he econom y, wit h el evat ed l evel s of bus ines s dis t r es s and ins ol vencies hig hl ig ht ing
t he chal l eng es f acing
m any f ir m s . ”
John continued: “It comes as no surprise that businesses are growing more cautious. Recent activity indicators point to a sector that continues to struggle to gain momentum, with weaker workloads, delayed project starts and ongoing concer ns about future demand
“For the building materials sector, these conditions have created a challenging trading environment. Demand has remained under pressure across several key product categories, particularly those linked to new housing activity, where the rising cost of materials is outpacing UK inflation ”
The BMF Forecast combines a comprehensive analysis of merchant market performance, drawn from its Builders Merchants Building Index (produced monthly and regarded as the key indicator of current RMI activity) with an examination of key factors affecting builders’ merchants to project future sales.
John added: “While the overall picture is fairly dire, our BMBI data does reveal the reasons why some regions are facing the greatest challenge. Markets such as London, with greater exposure to housing and commercial development, have generally faced the most difficult conditions, while others including Scotland and the North East have demonstrated greater resilience through a stronger mix of infrastructure, maintenance and repair activity
“Online sales channels have also continued to provide opportunities for growth, reflecting changing customer purchasing behaviour ”
While trading conditions are expected to be difficult in the short term, the BMF forecast looking further ahead “retains a degree of optimism for a gradual recovery in the latter half of 2027,” anticipating potential growth of +1 7% for the whole year.
n The BMF Industr y Forecast Summer 2026 is available by emailing Andrei Imbru@bmf org uk
BMF CEO, John Newcomb
Defying expectations
PBM reports back from the recent NMBS Conference in Alicante.
The gloomy, grey sky that greeted PBM’s arrival in Spain could hardly have been a more apt metaphor for the industry’s travails back home As the Construction Products Association’s Economics Director, Noble Francis, stated plainly during an early session on Day One, the UK economy is merely “muddling through” in the face of sustained global instability and a government that has added “ more tax, more costs and more bureaucracy”
With inflation, falling real incomes, fragile homebuyer confidence and rising unemployment all still weighing heavily, Dr Francis warned that further contraction in housebuilding and private RM&I was likely this year Any improvement, he suggested, would be deferred until 2027 though modest and concentrated in certain fields.
Harsh truths, but hardly revelations to delegates gathered in the cavernous conference room of the Melia Villaitana Indeed, conversations at the Welcome Dinner had already confirmed the prevailing mood and were only further reinforced by an industr y panel featuring NMBS CEO Kevin Williams, alongside Frank Key
“The sentiment of the conference was far from despondent. This is an industr y that may be down but is not defeated. In fact, it is already developing the solutions.”
Group’s James Norton, Bradfords’ David Young and Bristan’s Jen Cassidy a wear y acceptance of the macro economic malaise and the knowing absence of any quick fix
Yet the sentiment of the conference was far from despondent This is an industr y that may be down but is not defeated In fact, it is already developing the solutions
So, under the theme Beyond the Expected, the clear and consistent message was in determining ‘how can we perform better?’
And, aptly led by High Performance podcast host Jake Humphrey in tandem with his colleague Professor Damian Hughes, the sessions focused on driving improvement by recognising and embracing change; of accelerating the adoption of new technologies, challenging existing cultures while retuning the inherent strengths that built the organisations represented in the room
Key among this was the notion of empowering your people, recognising that those closest to the customer can often see the potential shockwaves soonest It was a point driven home by keynote speaker Dr Alison E dgar MBE, whose energetic Day Two session referenced her experiences at Yellow Pages to offer a cautionar y tale about senior leadership doubling down on outdated models, not listening to the concerns of frontline staff as Google loomed ever larger
Noting how, despite the wider market’s troubles, the merchant sector’s ‘competition’ of Wickes and Screwfix are growing by pivoting toward a more digitally-savyy trade customer while also addressing universal concerns, she gave the example of 30-year-old Xavier and the soon-to-retire Tony
Xav was less concerned by trade counter relationships and more transactional in nature, prepared to switch his custom “if a new website started up and it did what I needed ” Both, however, cited the same biggest challenge material availability and reliable deliveries: “if I discover I need something, leaving site to get it takes at least an hour out of my day ”
Generational shifts were also central to Ken Hughes’ session Outlining that almost half the population are now millennial or younger, he warned that “disruption is real” and the “ race for relevance” is already under way Today’s “blue dot consumer ” wants ser vice centred upon themselves, expecting ease, speed and personalisation
For the on demand, Netflix generation “seamless and frictionless experiences are no longer differentiators; they are merely hygiene factors ” And in a world that is already “half physical, half digital,” expectations are rising exponentially and their older peers share this attitude too
Yet customers also face the paradox of choice and too many options can paralyse decision making. Here, Ken argued, agentic AI can become a game changer by actively helping customers decide while also making the experience feel personal to them.
And this message of data-driven evolution was accentuated by Kevin as he took to the stage for his first conference as NMBS CEO He said: “NMBS has always helped merchants buy better but now we must help the entire sector trade better.” While “not looking to replace what made NMBS strong,” Kevin described enhanced data as “the next layer of value ”
Whether that is “orders, invoices, payments and insight… digital connectivity will make trading easier, faster and more automated ”
Commercial Director Andy Hextall expanded on the vision, outlining the progress already being made across back office modernisation, a refreshed NMBS OnePlace and, not least, investment in the cross-industr y Data Yard initiative.
A full session on Data Yard, led by MD Gareth Thomas (supported by GenetiQ’s Gar y Brookshaw to conduct a live demo of its capabilities), further underlined its importance. Ensuring reliable, accurate and up-to-date product data, Gareth argued, remains one of the industr y ’ s biggest challenges and one of its biggest opportunities.
“Put simply, poor data means lost sales There is a better way publish it once, and distribute it ever ywhere,” he said, adding that AI “loves structured product data” meaning that it will soon become the core way in which customers source information
And with the notion of Artificial Intelligence underpinning so much of the overall discussion, the most in-depth session on the topic was delivered by Jonathan Bein who offered a for ward looking view on what AI could mean for the building materials supply chain by 2030
As many are already finding, “early AI adoption will deliver real competitive advantage” and while the technolog y moves at pace, productivity gains, added efficiencies and significant cost savings will all be achievable while also maximising the potential for cross- and upselling by drawing on data from your PIM alongside predictive purchasing / reordering decisions and even accounts receivable
Once more reinforcing the point, the need for solid data is a pre-requisite to truly capitalising
With other sessions exploring the CIC’s work to boost diversity and inclusion, last mile deliver y innovations such as Tradeaze, cybersecurity readiness, the launch of the 2027 Pavestone Rally and the reveal of Marrakech as the destination for next year ’ s BMF Conference not to mention the vital ‘Meet the Merchant’ sessions for fostering much-needed collaboration and relationship building the packed programme offered a welcome pause from home front worries
Overall though, the business takeaways were clear : growth may be out of reach in the short term, but efficiency, innovation and improvement are not Despite the wider challenges, the conference was anything but downbeat Instead, it was a showcase for higher performance standards and a desire to truly deliver ser vice ‘Beyond the Expected ’
Those grey clouds on arrival? They cleared quickly A hopeful omen for blue skies ahead for the industr y…
n For more information on NMBS, use the shortcode www rdr link/mcd004
ROOFING REWARDS
Mar ley
online training
cour se “helps merchants make the most of fibre cement cladding.”
Fibre cement cladding is not just a way to protect buildings from the weather. Properly installed, it can improve insulation and aesthetics and optimise building durability.
Developments in fibre cement cladding and systems, like Marley Weatherboard, offer a wealth of building design options for both new and refurbishment projects Fibre cement cladding’s resistance to moisture, rot and damage from pests also make it an excellent, low maintenance alternative to wooden cladding
To help support merchants in selling fibre cement cladding, Marley has recently launched a free online training package highlighting its benefits Available through My Account, merchants can also learn more about the Marley Weatherboard system, which offers a versatile, durable and attractive cladding solution with an anticipated life expectancy of 50 years.
Covering fibre cement cladding manufacture, its key benefits and the building regulations it should comply with, those who access the course can also learn more about the Marley Weatherboard system including:
l Regulator y Compliance
All fibre cement cladding should be manufactured to BS EN 12467:2012+A2:2018, to ensure durability performance Marley Weatherboard has been certified by UL Solutions for durability, water resistance and compliance in accordance with Centre for Windows and Cladding Technology (CWCT) Sequence B
It also offers fire resistance to BRE fire safety classification A2-s1, d0 the highest requirement for cladding with no restrictions on building height or proximity to other buildings
l Installation tips Available in five colours White, Light Grey, Blue Grey, Slate Grey and Black Marley Weatherboard is quick and easy to install using handheld power tools in broken bond, random or straight or butt joined patterns
Wider than other similar products at 1 63 boards/m² at 30mm lap, they provide greater covering capacity while a full system is available including colour match trims and accessories including corners, end profiles and starter profiles to ensure a secure, weathertight solution with a premium finish
l Where to use cladding
Compatible for use with rainscreen insulation for improved thermal performance, Marley Weatherboard is suitable for both residential and commercial applications making it a ‘must-stock’ item for merchants.
n Merchants can learn more about fibre cement cladding and Marley Weatherboard through free online training available on My Account. Go to marley.co.uk/myaccount to login or register.
MERCHANT FOCUS
LORDS GROUP TRADING SUSTAINABLE ENERGY CONSORTIUM
Lords Group Trading has signed a contract with the Sustainable Energy First Consortium to source renewable energy as part of its drive towards net zero and to ensure competitive energy costs
The new contract will “significantly reduce its Scope 2 market-based emissions to close to zero on its premises” by purchasing renewable electricity that is backed by recognised energy certification.
The consortium brings together a network of renewable energy generators, including wind, solar and hydro to “form a robust portfolio of clean power ” Using this range of assets, it provides customers with access to traceable, REGO-backed green energy
As part of its net zero drive, the merchant group is also installing solar panels on its buildings as part of a phased programme and is replacing its lighting with energy efficient LED fittings across all its sites In addition, 92% of its company provided cars are electric or hybrid and it plans to start a trial for an electric HGV truck later this year
Chief Financial Officer Stuart Kilpatrick said: “By joining the Sustainable Energy First Consortium, we have secured competitive energy pricing to protect the business from electricity price fluctuations, while positively contributing to the environment and reinforcing our commitment to decarbonisation as we make significant progress on our Net Zero journey ”
STARK UK
REGIONAL BUILDING FOUNDATION
STARK Building Materials UK is backing the recently-launched Regional Building Foundation, describing the new initiative as “game-changing” for the regional builders who shape Britain’s communities The organisation has been created by The Kings Foundation and the University of the Built Environment following a government backed Knowledge Transfer Partnership Its mission is to build a new ecosystem for Place Building, coordinating regional builders, landowners, funders, materials suppliers and professionals to “deliver the walkable, locally distinctive, and resilient communities people want to call home ”
The merchant group has already been investing in its ‘regional builder team’ to develop a “uniquely tailored service” to meet the bespoke needs of customers while its Business Development Director Edwin de Silva has helped to develop the framework of the Regional Building Foundation, and he now sits on its Board.
He commented: “The concept we have developed for regional house builders is in complete harmony with the Regional Building Foundation; both are game changers for the housebuilding sector and particularly for the smaller and regional builders, who are in dire need of support Today they face an unprecedented number of challenges, so by helping them to overcome some of those and giving them security of supply, we can play our part in ensuring that not only do these businesses survive but thrive in the years to come ”
Within the Group, Jewson has recently partnered with CT1, Heidelberg Materials, SAM Mouldings, and VELUX to launch its Trade Cup competition, offering tradespeople the chance to win a share of over £100,000 worth of prizes when they spend in branches around the UK And, aligned with its Lincoln branch, the sporting theme continues with the merchant having signed a new sponsorship agreement with Lincoln City following the club’s promotion to the Sky Bet Championship
Coupled with all this, the business is continuing to drive the #LetsGetBritainBuildingNOW campaign a petition aimed at securing the relief and support needed from Government to fund a national pro-building stimulus package Calling for industry-wide support, you can sign the petition via www rdr link/mcd005
CITY PLUMBING SPARES SUPPORT
City Plumbing has strengthened its spares offer with a series of updates designed to help installers “source boiler parts faster, access a wider choice and get better value” ahead of servicing season The updates include the launch of a new Diagram Picker in its SparesFinder tool, which allows engineers to visually identify boiler parts using appliance diagrams and offering access to over 20,000 spares, searchable by GC number, part number, or make and model (currently covering 150 of the most popular appliances, with more set to be added)
The merchant has also improved the tool’s wider search function to help identify the right part more quickly, while refurbished boiler spares are also a new addition to its range This range sits alongside its existing OEM, unbranded component product and alternative parts, with all options backed by a 12-month warranty
In addition, the business has extended its Lowest Price Guarantee to include hundreds of spares.
HUWS GRAY ‘PITCH IN’ WINNER
Rocklands Youth FC has been named as the winner of Huws Gray’s inaugural ‘Pitch in’ competition, securing £5,000 worth of building materials to help transform the club’s facilities and create a more inclusive environment for players, volunteers and the wider community
Based in Norfolk, Rocklands Youth FC supports 10 teams from Under 7s through to Under 15s, including two female teams, and is run by 24 dedicated volunteers The club plans to use the building materials donation to refurbish its clubhouse and bathroom facilities, ensuring it is inclusive and accessible for all players, volunteers, families and visitors
The improvements will help the club meet growing demand, support participation across all age groups and provide a welcoming community hub for local residents, reflecting Huws Gray’s commitment to giving back to its communities and the importance of sport in doing so
TIPPERS
SETCRETE TRAINING
BREWERS
SUNDAY TIMES BEST PLACES TO WORK
The Brewers Group has been recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work for the second year running Published in partnership with WorkL, the ranking celebrates the UK’s leading employers organisations that are “creating exceptional workplaces where people feel valued, supported and inspired to succeed ”
This recognition is based on colleague feedback, measured through WorkL’s employee engagement survey which evaluates organisations across six key areas that shape a positive workplace experience including Reward and recognition, Instilling pride, Information sharing, Empowerment, Wellbeing and Job satisfaction. Group CEO Simon Brewer said: “Our vision for The Brewers Group is clear: to play our part in making the world a brighter place This starts with empowering our people to develop a career where they feel valued and supported ”
GAP NEW DEPOTS
GAP (General All-Purpose Plastics) has continued its national expansion with the formal opening of two new Southern depots in Gloucester and Chelmsford The dual launch expands its nationwide network to 114 depots, directly supporting the brand’s “commercial push into the Southern market by providing local trade installers with premium products, reliable stock availability and competitive trade pricing positioning specialised trade hubs exactly where installers need them ”
Both locations are “fully stocked with a comprehensive suite of uPVC building materials designed to keep local installations moving efficiently ”
Jordan Hutchinson, Depot Manager at GAP Gloucester, commented: “Our trade counter is built entirely on straightforward honesty, making sure local fitters get the exact stock they need, when they need it, with zero fuss ”
Branch staff from Tippers Builders Merchants have praised a bespoke training day at floor levelling compound manufacturer Setcrete’s Centre of Excellence facility in Cheddleton, Staffordshire. The day was specifically designed for merchants to build confidence in recommending the best products to customers and to highlight when complimentary product recommendations can help to avoid simple installation issues
Including a mix of short ‘explainer’ introductions to the products and their key benefits, followed by hands-on, practical exercises, Tippers staff were encouraged to ‘get a feel for’ installing products in tailormade training bays
Daniel Broadhead, the merchant’s Marketing Manager, commented: “It was a great learning day for everyone Tippers likes to ensure staff have the training they need to make suitable sales recommendations to customers the more product knowledge they have, the better Courses like the one put on by Setcrete, where things are explained so clearly and simply, are a massive benefit for us.”
Building a foundation for growth
With valuable lessons for merchants across the sector, Moorgate Management outlines the support it provided for one particular operation that found its business beginning to plateau.
Based in the Home Counties, the mid-sized builders’ merchant had been trading for 20+ years and had grown successfully from a single site to several small satellite units However, that success had created a number of inefficiencies preventing the merchant “from realising its full potential ”
The company reached out to Moorgate Management, with the specialist consultancy’s Founder Chris Maityard having decades of experience leading some of the most successful builders’ merchants in the sector The work began with a three-hour discover y session that revealed “several underlying challenges.”
For example, despite strong turnover on paper, the business lacked a five-year financial model and had no formal cashflow forecasting Resources were being spread thin across multiple sites within minutes of each other, and the owners were “struggling with overlapping responsibilities and a lack of effective communication ”
Creating the growth plan
Chris’ first action was to create a Stage 1 Growth Plan a structured, time-lined programme built around its four-pillar framework: Financial, People, Growth Drivers and Operational
On the Financial side, Moorgate helped to create a five-year plan, linking revenue ambitions with a realistic funding model and introducing a 13-week cashflow forecast to ensure the business was secure in the short-term The merchant’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system had never been fully implemented, causing inefficiencies in the business and preventing proper data analysis something that would need to be resolved.
For the People workstream, a complete ‘roles and responsibilities matrix’ was developed, plus salary banding, a training needs analysis and, as a result, a Learning and Development plan identifying the training each colleague required These simple steps immediately improved accountability right
across the business and helped give staff a clearer sense of ownership
Chris explained: “While the business had carried out extensive sales and margin training among staff, they hadn’t done any product training. So the staff knew how to sell, and were good at it, but if asked for technical product information, they didn’t always have the right answers. ”
The Growth plan, meanwhile, explored how the merchant could unlock more value from its existing customer base Analysis showed the company had around 1,500 customer accounts but only around half of those were active
reputation, location and ser vice levels alongside weaknesses such as fragmented geographic sites, limited marketing and undercapitalisation From this, the roadmap prioritised achievable actions with clear ownership and review points.
Cultural change and mentoring
While the deliverables provided the structure of what needed to be done, much of Moorgate Management’s value came from on-site mentoring of the leadership team Chris explained: “So much of what we do isn’t just about producing a report It’s about working alongside the business as a part of
“So much of what we do isn’t just about producing a repor t. It’s about working alongside the business as a par t of their team and helping them address issues they’ve lived with for years. ”
Moorgate introduced reactivation campaigns for low-spend and lapsed customers and helped guide the business away from large developers which had been considered its core market to focus more on general builders, where margins were significantly higher.
In Operations, Moorgate helped address existing health & safety, transport, stock management and purchasing inefficiencies, creating cost and efficiency improvements Minimum and maximum stock levels were introduced, aged-stock exercises were linked to supplier reviews, and a formal framework for rebate management and supplier engagement was created to help improve partnerships with suppliers.
Creating a Strategic Roadmap then gave the business a clear outline of how to evolve over the next five years. This included people development and funding, plus initiatives to deepen customer loyalty, broaden the company ’ s product offer and accelerate growth through partnerships and potential site redevelopment
A SWOT analysis also brought together the business’s strengths its team, strong
their team and helping them address issues they’ve lived with for years ” Chris added: “ This was a smart, entrepreneurial business. What they needed was structure and time to think about their long-term strateg y Our job was to give them the tools to build on what they had already achieved ”
n Moorgate Management’s Chris Maityard has managed national merchant operations including Plumbase, co-founded the creation of the original IBMG and has led major turnaround and growth projects right across the UK distribution sector
n For more information on Moorgate Management, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mcd006
How to sell treated timber correctly
Timber Development UK is reminding merchants to make sure they use the right terminology when selling treated timber, in order to prevent disappointed customers and post-sale complaints.
For many timber and builders’ merchants, treated timber is still one of the most popular product categories stocked in branch Decking, fencing, sleepers, carcassing, battens and landscaping timbers move through merchant yards ever y day, and are particularly popular through the Spring and Summer months as the warmer weather encourages people to carr y out landscaping and roofing projects.
Yet across the sector confusion around treated timber specification is still widespread, particularly when choosing products that are being used externally or in ground contact applications
The Timber Use Class system, which is set out in BS EN 335, clearly explains how to specify treated timber products correctly, defining the conditions that timber will be exposed to in ser vice and explaining the
level of preser vative treatment required to provide appropriate durability
Use Class 2, for example, relates to timber used internally in dry conditions such as internal combustion timbers, where moisture content remains consistently low and there is little risk of fungal decay This refers to products such as tiling battens, framing and roof timbers, internal joists and sole plates
However, the most common confusion among merchants tends to occur when differentiating between Use Class 3 and Use Class 4 timber products. Use Class 3 refers to external construction timbers intended for external applications above ground, where the timber will be exposed to the weather but can dr y out between wetting cycles
Typical applications include deck boards, cladding, pergolas, outdoor furniture and fence rails. The timber may regularly get wet, but it is not designed for continuous ground contact or prolonged saturation Use Class 4, meanwhile, refers to timber that is intended to be used in permanent contact with either the ground or fresh water, and which is used for exterior structural support. These timbers are likely to remain wet for extended periods, and so have been treated with far stronger preser vatives to protect them from decay.
Typical applications for Use Class 4 timbers include fence posts, agricultural timbers,
retaining walls, playground equipment, decking posts, joists and beams
This distinction is critical because timber durability is heavily influenced by moisture exposure Timber that remains wet for prolonged periods becomes far more vulnerable to fungal decay and biological attack Using UC3 timber in a UC4 environment can therefore lead to premature failure, even though the timber itself was manufactured and treated correctly
TDUK works closely with the Wood Protection Association to warn merchants and contractors that timber failures on site are often due to incorrect specification, rather than an actual product failure because the wrong class of timber has been used in the wrong application
Beyond green or brown
A major issue within the merchant sector is that many customers still refer to treated timber simply as ‘ green timber’ or ‘brown timber’ But these colour descriptions are no longer reliable indicators of timber treatment levels or the intended end use.
Historically, green-tinted preser vative treatments were commonly associated with higher levels of protection for external applications, while brown treatments were frequently used for decorative landscaping products Over time though, treatment technologies, preser vative formulations and manufacturing processes have evolved significantly, meaning colour can no longer be relied upon as an indicator of Use Class or treatment performance
Modern preser vative systems may produce green, brown or even almost colourless finishes depending on the chemicals used and the manufacturer’s process Two pieces of timber with similar colouring may therefore have entirely
different treatment specifications and intended applications
Merchants should ensure they always clearly identif y timber products on sale by their Use Class, the treatment they have received and, therefore, the intended application Premature timber failure can quickly become a reputational issue for the branch that supplied the material even if the underlying problem was incorrect specification rather than manufacturing quality
The issue becomes more significant as customers are increasingly expecting merchants to provide application guidance at the point of sale In many cases, the merchant counter is where specification decisions are actually made, particularly among smaller contractors and tradespeople who may not be consulting formal technical documents before purchasing materials
That places growing responsibility on branch teams to ask more detailed questions about the customer’s intended use of the
product, rather than simply supplying timber based on dimensions, colour or price alone
For merchants willing to invest in timber knowledge, there is an opportunity to strengthen customer trust and reduce the likelihood of complaints, failures and costly disputes Advising customers correctly on issues such as Use Classes and treatment specifications is increasingly forming part of the added value that merchants provide their customers.
End-to-en d solu tions
n TDUK’s online ‘Wood For Exteriors: Decking Products’ course, available through www wo od cam pus co uk, offers more details of timber Use Classes and the importance of understanding the correct timber treatments available
n You can also find more knowledge and guidance on this topic from TDUK via www rdr link/mcd007
With a brief to strengthen support for installers and merchants, Maxine Cornelius has been appointed as Wavin’s new sales Director for the uK and Ireland Maxine joins from City Plumbing, bringing extensive merchant-side expertise as Managing Director for sales Prior to this, she spent 15 years at twyford Bathrooms, holding several senior leadership roles Now overseeing Wavin’s full Building & Infrastructure range, she will focus on “delivering cohesive customer engagement and a commercial strategy designed to help the trade grow sustainably ”
Salamander Pumps has appointed Richard Bambridge as its new technical training Manager to support merchants With more than 38 years ’ experience in the sector, Richard previously ran his own heating and plumbing business for 20 years while for last 13 years, he also held college lecturing positions to teach and train students and apprentices looking to become plumbers or heating engineers
In his new role, he will deliver training sessions to help develop, educate and inform merchants on best practices when recommending salamander Pumps’ solutions
Kevin Bohea has joined Brett Martin Group as Plumbing & Drainage Divisional Director a well-known and respected figure in the construction products industry, he brings extensive experience from a career “defined by a strong commercial focus combined with a deep understanding of customer needs, operational excellence and long term value creation ”
Kevin said: “I am excited to join the business at such an important time for the industry and look forward to working with the team to build on the group’s success, with customer value firmly at the centre of our growth plans ”
Jon Mugridge is Huws Gray’s new Operations Director for Plant & tool Hire, as the company continues to strengthen its offering and expand its presence across the country With over 30 years of operational and retail leadership experience, jon has a track record of driving improvements and delivering growth
He began his career at B&Q at the age of 16, progressing from a checkout operator to general Manager, before moving to Homebase, B&M and WH smith where he held senior regional management positions jon’s most recent role was as National Operations Director for Brandon Hire station
Jewson Major Build Solutions (MBS) has appointed Stuart Hayler as general Manager of its Durham Hub Bringing more than 25 years of industry experience, stuart was previously Regional Director at jewson and will now lead the Hub’s operations and team, supporting MBs’s work with major housebuilders
stuart said: “after several rewarding years with jewson, I’m excited to take on a new challenge with MBs the Durham Hub has enormous potential, and I see a real opportunity to drive further growth and ensure we continue delivering exceptional service to the businesses in the area who rely on us ”
Insulation specialist Actis has named Jake Wilson as its new area sales Manager for the south East and london to assist merchants, builders and specifiers in the capital and home counties with technical advice, product guidance and on site support
He commented: “I was drawn to actis because it’s a company that genuinely pushes the boundaries of what insulation can achieve (It) pairs this innovation with a clear commitment to its customers, making it easy for builders, designers and homeowners to make informed decisions ”
SEMA, the Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association, highlights the need for increased inspections and rapid remedies to ensure ongoing safety and efficiency in merchant branches.
The Dos and Don’ts of racking repairs
Have you taken a walk round your yard or warehouse recently?
Have you noticed any damage on the racking? It could be a minor issue on one of the beams or something more serious like a badly bent upright
It can be tempting, especially when busy with tight margins, to leave it and hope for the best But here are our dos and don’ts of racking repairs
Don’t ignore damage
When you order racking, it’s engineered to meet precise tolerances and support heav y loads. While those steel beams and uprights may look solid and permanent, they’re not indestructible Impacts from forklifts are common and while the racking is standing and looks safe, that damage has weakened the structural stability of your equipment
If the racking collapses due to damage you face delays through downtime, unplanned repairs and even an investigation from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Depending on their report, you could then find yourself paying heavy fines for neglecting your duties.
Worst of all, an employee or member of the public could be seriously injured
Do follow inspe ction guidance
This situ at ion is avoid able by f irst putt ing a l ayere d insp e c t ion reg ime in pl ace. Ever y d ay, anyone work ing in
are as w it h rack ing shou ld imme di ately rep or t d amage
Send a member of your team on training such as the SEMA Rack Safety Awareness course which trains them on how to take on the role of Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS) and perform in-house Visual Inspections At least once a year, a qualified inspector such as a SEMA Approved Racking Inspector (SARI) should conduct the Expert Inspection
B oth inspections are critical for identif ying and classif ying damage using a colour coded system to indicate timescales for repairs
Do use traine d installers
It’s tempting to save costs by getting a member of your team to fix racking damage, especially if you have an in-house maintenance team. There are plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t
Repairs should only be conducted by installers who have completed the Storage Equipment Installers Registration S cheme
(SEIRS) training The course instructs installers on important health and safety factors, industr y standards and practical instructions on how to correctly install and repair racking
Do che ck your warranty
When choosing a company to conduct the repairs, check how they impact your racking warranty Always check the repair company is authorised by the racking manufacturer before work begins not all are approved The company should also use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) components when replacing parts and correctly follow manufacturer instructions.
Miss a step and you could risk the structural stability of your racking and the safety of your employees
Act on racking damage before it’s too late
Busy merchants put off their racking repairs because they cost money and “nothing bad has happened in recent memor y ” Sadly, the mistake of taking that approach is usually only recognised when the racking collapses
Don’t take risks w ith your racking inspect it, repair it correctly and protect your business
n For
A more strateg ic a pproach
For many builders’ merchant firms, forklifts and materials handling equipment are rarely front of mind until something goes wrong
A truck breaks down in the middle of a busy deliver y schedule. Fuel costs rise. Maintenance bills start to creep up Operators begin reporting reliability issues that have been building for months…
At any of these points, equipment that has been ‘good enough’ for years can quickly become a real operational issue not just in terms of cost, but in productivity and a business’s ability to ser ve its customers
We’ve seen a clear shift in how businesses across the sector are approaching these decisions Fleet replacement is no longer being treated as a like-for-like exercise. Instead, it is tied into wider conversations around cost control, efficiency and sustainability
In many cases, the question is no longer “when do we replace this truck?” but rather “what is this equipment actually costing us to keep running, and is it suited to us operationally?”
In today’s environment, where margins remain under pressure and uncertainty continues to shape planning cycles, delaying that question can often prove more expensive than addressing it early
Avoid “quietly increasing costs”
Across the construction sector, it has become common for equipment to stay in ser vice beyond its intended replacement cycle In some cases, this has been driven by market uncertainty In others, extended lead times have simply made it more difficult to replace equipment within the original timeframe
However, what is often underestimated is how gradually older equipment begins to affect day-to-day performance From our experience, maintenance becomes less predictable and costs begin to drift upwards as equipment ages and downtime also tends to increase in frequency.
When a truck is out of action, the disruption rarely stays contained to a single task it filters through yard operations, loading schedules and outbound deliveries,
Impact Handling details how rising costs, equipment availability and operational pressures all change the way merchant businesses need to approach forklift fleet replacement.
which in turn ultimately impacts on customer ser vice.
This is why we encourage customers to look beyond the upfront replacement cost and instead consider the full operational cost of keeping equipment in ser vice over its lifespan as investing in newer equipment can reduce fuel usage, improve reliability and lower maintenance demand to a point where the overall business case for that investment becomes much clearer
Electrification is growing, but Sustainability is becoming a bigger part of ever yday decision-making, which is why we are seeing electrification adopted across a growing number of applications particularly in indoor warehouse environments, controlled yard operations and urban locations where lower emissions and reduced noise can offer clear operational benefits.
“Fleet replacement is no longer being treated as a like-for-like exercise. Instead, it is tied into wider conversations around cost control, efficiency and sustainability.”
Most prospective customers want to know four basic things: will this save us money, work well in our environment, hold up under our shift workloads, and create any new operational headaches?
However, it is equally important to recognise that electric powered handling equipment is not a universal replacement for diesel or alternative power sources. Many have fallen into this trap when looking to make the switch without fully assessing how the equipment will perform within their bespoke operational environment
In heavier-duty outdoor applications, multi-shift operations or environments with uneven ground conditions, different solutions may still be more appropriate Charging infrastructure, duty cycles and operator behaviour also all need to be
properly factored into any decisionmaking process
Where challenges tend to arise is when decisions are influenced by general market trends such as the collective push towards Net Zero rather than governed by how they fit the operational need
Availability and flexibility
Another shift we are seeing across the market is the growing importance of availability in fleet planning decisions In recent years, long lead times caused by
supply chain disruption and wider global uncertainty have forced many businesses to keep equipment in ser vice longer than originally intended
As a result, businesses are having to balance replacement planning carefully against the need to keep day-to-day operations running efficiently Having ‘ access to the right equipment at the right time’ is therefore now becoming just as important as having the right specification itself
As a business, we have responded to this by investing in a wide range of UK stock that can still be tailored to the customers requirements and delivered at short notice when required A more consultative approach also adds real value
Rather than simply replacing equipment like-for-like, businesses want the flexibility to make decisions based on what their operation actually needs
Mostly, businesses are not necessarily looking for the latest technolog y, but rather for reliability, efficiency and transparent running costs reinforced by the confidence that both their equipment and supplier will continue to support them as demand changes and fluctuates.
n For more information from Impact Handling, an Aprolis company, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mcd009
TRANSPORT, HANDLING & STORAGE
A recent BMF arranged visit by a constituency MP to Joseph Parr in Bradford put the spotlight on the firm’s Volvo FM Electric 6x2 rigid, believed to be the first zero tailpipe heavy duty truck in builders’ merchant operation in the UK. PBM looks at how the vehicle came into service and how it is performing on the job.
Electric dreams
Bongoing Industr y and Parliament programme, MP for Bradford East Imran Hussain paid a visit to the Joseph Parr Group branch in Broomfields to gain a greater understanding of the headwinds and cost pressures facing merchants in a challenging construction market.
With the call closely following on from the company celebrating its 10th anniversary in the city since opening on the site of a former car dealership along Manchester Road, Mr Hussain also heard how the business was looking to manage costs, stay ahead of legislative change and improve the efficiency of its deliveries through its Volvo FM Electric
The vehicle replaced a diesel model from a rival manufacturer in the firm’s five-strong HGV fleet and was first deployed in mid-2024 Commenting during the MP’s visit, MD Michael Beaumont said: “I am glad Imran was able to see our Volvo FM Electric 6x2 rigid, which was part-funded by a grant from Bradford City Council. Despite the additional weight of the batteries, we actually see a slight payload advantage over the traditional 26-tonne diesel trucks we also run That was an important factor as we are pretty much up
Regulations affecting commercial transport are changing and we want to ensure Joseph Parr is ahead of the cur ve when it comes to cleaner, greener HGVs. The well-documented energ y price shock in the Middle East may hasten the adoption of electric lorries. We are proud to be the first.”
decarbonisation, customers are demanding greener supply chains and builders’ merchants are under increasing pressure to demonstrate environmental responsibility with tangible actions Accordingly, and helping to decarbonise its overall operations, Joseph Parr opted to look at alternative fuel choices for its delivery fleet
With one of the marque ’ s (traditional) vehicles on its fleet already, the business approached Volvo Trucks which it deemed to be “clearly leading the way when it comes to electric ” And as noted above, the truck was part-funded by a grant from Bradford City Council, which is monitoring the impact closely via data from Volvo Connect, the manufacturer’s fleet management system as it tries to drive down carbon emissions in the city’s Clean Air Zone and wider areas.
Supplied by Crossroads Truck and Bus, the vehicle has a four-batter y configuration, ensuring the “perfect combination of range and payload capacity” for building materials deliveries Built on a 5,200mm wheelbase, the rear-steer tag axle FM Electric fitted with a Palfinger BM 26 crane is powered
“Transitioning to electric trucks helps meet carbon reduction targets and aligns with broader industr y regulations and clean air initiatives.”
by two electrical motors which generate 450hp and will operate at a 28-tonnes gross vehicle weight.
The specification included a day cab, while the exterior was enhanced with a “striking Naval Blue liver y, ” Alcoa Dura-Bright alloy wheels, chassis side skirts and two roof amber beacons. In addition, the FM Electric was backed by a comprehensive five-year Volvo Gold Contract which sees all maintenance undertaken at the local dealership in Birstall while for added customer peace of mind, the agreement also guarantees the performance of the traction batteries beyond the two-year warranty that came with the truck as standard
As well as working in Bradford, the business will also use the vehicle for operations in Leeds, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Halifax and Manchester Accordingly, a 43kW AC charger was installed at the company ’ s depot, allowing the truck to charge overnight before heading out to complete its deliveries the next day
Indeed, with builders’ merchant vehicles typically operating on a back-to-base cycle within a relatively limited radius and invariably during the day and parked up at night most of the charging can take place at the branch, at slower speeds and when the price of energ y is lowest This means the potential cost saving over diesel is at its highest, which all contribute to the reasons why Volvo argues merchant fleets are “perfectly suited to switching to electric right now ”
The manufacturer adds that electric trucks also “thrive in stop/start urban environments, thanks to regenerative braking and low noise levels” which provide a “win for both efficiency and community relations… being able to roll up to a residential building site at 7am and unload without waking the neighbours ”
n For more information on Volvo electric trucks, use the shortcode www rdr link/mcd010
Joseph Parr Broomfields MD
Michael Beaumont with Imran Hussain MP and the BMF’s Brett Amphlett
Knauf: shaping the foundations for safer, smarter construction
Knauf is the global leader in the manufacture of plasterboard, producing around one in four metres of the world’s plasterboard (or gypsum-based drylining).
When Knauf opened its first UK plasterboard plant in Sittingbourne in 1988, and two years later established the Immingham facility, its dual-site manufacturing capability quickly became the backbone of one of the countr y ’ s most important dr ylining supply chains, a key employer and skills provider.
Continually investing in manufacturing technolog y, the business is one of the largest g ypsum-based suppliers in the UK. For builders’ merchants, these two plants are far more than production hubs; they represent a long-term, UK-based source of reliable, high-performance products that can be specified and stocked with confidence
Safe and sustainable
In the UK, advanced insulation, heatexchange systems and process optimisation has helped Knauf deliver high-volume output while reducing environmental impact For merchants, this translates into consistent, high-quality product lines that can be relied on for a reduced carbon footprint as well as solutions that deliver superior fire-resistance, acoustic and impact-resistance.
Smart and considerate
Colour-coded boards at the factor y make it easier for site teams to select the correct
board, reducing specification errors and returns something branch managers know all too well when dealing with complex job-site requirements.
Superior standards
In 2010, Ian Stokes b e c ame Manag ing Dire c tor of Knauf UK & Irel and and has since b e come one of t he most inf luent i a l f igures in t he UK bui lding mater i a ls s e c tor. Ian s e es t he comp any ’ s role not just as supply ing pro duc ts, but as a c at a lyst for improv ing s afet y & st and ards, sk i l ls and pro cess es across t he supply chain His le adership has b e en def ine d by a fo c us on col l ab orat ion, innovat ion and long-ter m resi lience
For instance, Ian’s election to the Builders Merchants Federation B oard in 2024 reflects his consistent engagement with the merchant community and his understanding of the pressures and opportunities facing independents and nationals alike.
Under the leadership of Ian Stokes, Knauf has:
l Expanded UK manufacturing capacity, including a new plasterboard plant in Newport that when fully commissioned, will add more capacity to the UK market
and strengthen supply to the South and South West helping merchants improve availability and reduce reliance on imported material.
l Implemented digital tools focussed on first time order accuracy, and fast response times, without sacrificing the human interaction that Knauf ’ s customers so appreciate
l Invested in sustainability, with a focus on low-carbon processes and high-performance products, resulting in a 34% reduction in emissions in Knauf ’ s latest plasterboard EPDs compared to the previous documentation
l Deepened technical investment that has resulted in market-leading test data recency, and more tested system solutions to help navigate changing regulations, build safer projects and support the golden thread of information that the Building Safety Act demands
Ian’s long-term aspiration is to ensure Knauf is an enabler of safe, reliable and sustainable builds His message to the industr y is to collab orate, upskill and ref ine pro cess es s o that the spaces w here we live, learn and care are built on a foundation of shared resp onsibility and conf idence in safety.
Ian Stokes, MD of Knauf UK & Ireland
Since the introduction of the Building Safety Act, the UK’s building regulations and firesafety landscape have become increasingly complex. To help the industry navigate these changes, Knauf has evolved from a product supplier into a technical and compliance partner actively helping the sector raise industry standards.
Fire safety at the heart of product and support
The company ’ s dr ylining systems are designed specifically to meet and in many instances, exceed current fire-resistance and acoustic requirements for residential, education and healthcare projects Its advice, innovation and ongoing support underpin the Building Safety Act’s focus on safer, accountable construction
Merchants can therefore expect:
l Clear, up-to-date guidance on how new regulations and reforms affect dr ylining, including fire-safety and Building Safety Act implications, as well as Knauf ’ s 5As Guide, which helps branches understand fire test reports to more confidently advise on compliant solutions.
l System-based solutions that combine boards, fixings and accessories into tested, compliant assemblies, enabling merchants to supply complete systems rather than isolated components is supports the Golden read of information required from design through to completion
l Training and digital tools that help branch staff and customers understand key requirements, reducing the risk of incorrect specification and supporting safer site outcomes.
Knauf ’ s ‘ e Cube’ visitor and training centre in Kent underlines this commitment, offering hands-on training of how its
systems are built and are optimised for efficient installation is also includes practical training of the Knauf Airless Spray Finishing System.
“Knauf ’ s tested, system-based approach gives merchants the reassurance that the products they stock are designed to meet the latest regulator y expectations and suppor t a clear, auditable design route.”
For merchants, this means access to a supplier that doesn’t just provide boards but actively helps the industr y design out risk and build a more transparent, safety-led supply chain
Supporting the spaces where we live, learn and care
Knauf ’ s work in Immingham and Sittingbourne ultimately supports its core
purpose: supporting the safe creation of the buildings where we live, learn and care By focusing on high-performance fire-resistant boards and robust acoustic systems, the company helps merchants supply products that protect lives, support wellbeing and meet the standards set by a more safety-conscious industr y
For independent and national merchants, this means:
l Confidence in specification: Knauf ’ s tested, system-based approach gives merchants the reassurance that the products they stock are designed to meet the latest regulator y expectations and support a clear, auditable design route.
l Stronger customer relationships: Merchants can differentiate themselves by offering compliant, high-performance systems that specifiers and contractors trust, positioning themselves as central to the Golden read of information
l A long-term partnership: Knauf ’ s investment in UK manufacturing, ongoing product innovation and technical support delivers merchant partnerships that can drive safety standards
rough continued collaboration between builders’ merchants and the wider supply chain, Knauf is helping to build a safer, more resilient built environment for the UK one tested system at a time.
Knauf’s ‘The Cube’ visitor and training centre in Kent
Building high standards for customer experience and compliance
The goal is to make it easier to order, track deliveries, resolve queries and access the critical information required under the Building Safety Act Eric Dancer, Head of Customer S er vices at Knauf, explained: “Next year marks the 10th anniversar y of the Grenfell disaster, and merchants play a vital role in maintaining the Golden Thread of information required under the Building Safety Act
“Our technolog y has been shaped by extensive merchant feedback and delivers a ‘ wow factor’ in customer experience, alongside expert technical support on fire safety and product compliance ”
Accordingly, Knauf ’ s Customer Ser vice team answers calls within 23 seconds while last-minute order amendments “ can be made right up to dispatch,” giving merchants the flexibility to respond quickly to customer needs. Order day one, get it day three.
Removing the need for lengthy email chains or phone calls, merchants can use My Knauf or One Place to check their order status, download key documentation such as confirmations and PODs, and access live deliver y tracking directly into the branch.
These systems provide a consolidated view of orders, deliver y schedules and documentation, while automation improves both speed and accuracy Meanwhile in the warehouse, investment in SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) enhances stock accuracy and deliver y reliability, ensuring confidence that what’s ordered arrives on time and in perfect condition
This programme is shaped by ongoing consultation with merchants, driving continuous improvement across packaging, damage reduction, documentation and digital tools
Alongside support with promotions, new product onboarding and stock
transitions, Knauf provides fast, expert technical guidance. The Customer S er vices, Sales and Technical teams work closely together not in silos when a technical quer y arises, merchants can quickly access the expertise needed to specif y compliant systems and support their customers without delay
“This programme is shaped by ongoing consultation with merchants, driving continuous improvement across packaging, damage reduction, documentation and digital tools.”
Looking ahead, Eric’s vision is to use technolog y to free up time for Customer S er vice teams to work even more closely with merchants, strengthening partnerships and enhancing sales and ser vice support
Almost ten years on from Grenfell, it is essential that merchants can supply products backed by accurate, up-to-date test data quickly and efficiently.
“Products can no longer be swapped in and out, as this could compromise the integrity of the finished building,” adds Area Sales Manager Ryan Fox “It’s our responsibility as a manufacturer to support the highest standards of compliance across the supply chain
“Ever yone deser ves to feel safe in the home they live in That’s why we make it
easy for merchants to access our technical experts, giving them the confidence to advise contractors correctly ”
To this end, Knauf offers a comprehensive range of support, including its 5As Guide to interpreting fire test reports alongside CITB-accredited training courses for contractors at facilities in Immingham and Sittingbourne This combination of digital innovation, technical expertise and training is designed to help merchants grow sales while building confidence in fully compliant, trusted systems
Eric concludes: “We will continue to make it easy for customers to do business with us by prioritising first-time order accurac y, fast response times and access to the expert technical support needed to supply and specif y products safely and correctly supporting the Golden Thread across the supply chain ”
Knauf is placing UK merchants at the centre of a major multi-million-pound programme focused on service excellence and digital innovation.
Eric Dancer, Head of Customer Ser vices at Knauf
Build on trusted products
Knauf offers a comprehensive range of boards, jointing products and flooring solutions backed up with robust test data that comply with the applicable regulations on fire safety, acoustic comfort and build quality.
Manufactured in the UK and across Europe, Knauf dr ylining systems are designed to meet UK regulations and relevant European standards, offering solutions for ever yday domestic projects through to commercial partitions where fire, acoustics and duty ratings are essential
Standard Wallboard is ideal for refurbishment projects and new partitions. A strong, versatile lining board which provides a smooth surface ready for plaster, ready-mixed finishes or direct decoration
For smaller repairs and maintenance works, the 9 5mm Baseboard offers a handy-sized solution suitable for reactive works in occupied buildings, where reinstating fire-resisting linings quickly and correctly is an important part of ongoing building safety management.
In higher-humidity spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens, Knauf Moisture Board combines enhanced moisture resistance with durability and fire performance For more demanding wet-area applications meanwhile, AQUAPANEL Indoor is the high-performance solution.
Manufactured from inorganic materials and highly resistant to water and mould, it delivers exceptional stability in challenging wet conditions and is designed for internal areas where durability and long-term performance are essential.
Where both acoustics and fire resistance are in focus, Knauf Soundshield Plus delivers enhanced sound dampening and
“All Knauf systems are tested to BS EN 1364-1, with fire test repor ts available to suppor t the ‘Golden Thread’ of building safety information.”
excellent fire performance when used as part of a tested Knauf system. This board delivers up to 120 minutes’ fire resistance, depending on the specific build-up, making it an ideal choice for separating walls.
All Knauf systems are tested to BS EN 1364-1, with fire test reports available to support the ‘Golden Thread’ of building safety information
Jointing products
In addition, Knauf jointing products are an essential component of a complete system
is a high-density dr y screed floor panel with a tongue and groove edge
For instance, Knauf Fill & Finish is a lightweight, ready-mixed jointing compound for bedding tapes and finishing joints in drywall partitions and ceilings, with very low shrinkage to help minimise cracking at board joints a common weak point that can undermine the integrity and appearance of linings over time.
Beyond the walls
Knauf ’ s Gypsum flooring is ideal for reliable floor build-ups enabling merchants to broaden the offer and support customers beyond walls and ceilings Knauf GIFA FHB
Ideal for use in a raised hollow floor system over pedestals, it can span between joists to create a stable base for floors in high load applications and cradle and batten systems
Stocking the full Knauf range allows merchants to support their customers with the right product for the right application as well as system-based guidance required under the Building Safety Act
n For more information on Knauf ’s full product portfolio, head to Knauf.com
Support fire safety compliance with Knauf’s 5As Guide
After extensive research in late 2025, Knauf uncovered a worrying lack of confidence across the sector in interpreting fire test reports a critical document required for verifying and documenting compliance around fire safety.
Fire test reports are a key part of the building safety information the aforementioned ‘Golden Thread’ that shows what was tested, on what basis, and whether a product or system is suitable for the intended use.
Under the requirements of the Building Safety Act, merchants now need to treat those reports as supporting evidence, not just product literature, made available to share with contractors who need to make informed decisions.
Products can no longer be substituted freely without checking the system evidence first, which means that merchants play a critical role in directing contractors to the right documentation and flagging when a report may be out of date or not applicable as well as supporting the supply of products that match the tested system
To help both merchants and their customers understand what to look for, where to look for it and why it is critical to fire safety per formance, Knauf has produced the 5As Guide
The 5As Guide is built around five checks authenticity, age, accuracy, applicability and availability to provide a simple framework for merchants and their customers to question whether the products they are supplying or installing meet the standards for compliance under the Building Safety Act
l Authenticity by confirming the fire test or classification report comes from a UKAS-accredited laborator y (or a recognised European equivalent), and
that it clearly identifies the manufacturer and system being tested
l Age of the test. This matters because an older report may not reflect current standards, current product formulations or today’s expectations around compliance A document more than five years old should be treated with caution and checked carefully with the supplier.
l Accurac y to verify the report refers to the correct standard This matters because the industr y is moving away from BS 476-based testing and towards EN test methods and classifications, so the documentation must match the method being relied on.
“Under the requirements of the Building Safety Act, merchants now need to treat fire test repor ts as suppor ting evidence, not just product literature.”
l Applicability which means comparing the “ as tested” arrangement with the proposed “ as installed” build as closely as possible If the tested system differs materially from what is being used on site, the fire test report may not be
appropriate and therefore reliable
l Availability is the final check: merchants should be able to access supporting reports easily, and those documents should be clearly linked to the exact product or system being supplied
“For merchants, the value of the 5As is that it simplifies complicated information and translates it into a practical everyday check,” says Jimmy Collins, Head of Technical at Knauf. “Merchants can therefore support compliance by challenging incomplete information, reducing the risk of supplying unsuitable products, and supporting better conversations with contractors who need confidence that the system they are ordering is properly documented.”
To make it easier for merchants to direct contractors to the right information and provide a dependable basis for product advice, Knauf ’ s fire test reports are available through the Knauf website and on the NBS specification platform For contractors, training is also offered through Knauf ’ s Learning Zones and Academy in Sittingbourne and Immingham, providing hands-on and technical courses on installing fire-rated dr ylining, partitions, and ceiling systems
Raising the bar on safety
Knauf has updated its plasterboard product data sheets to significantly improve accessibility, formally integrating neuro-inclusive design as a fundamental pillar of its operational performance and building safety standards.
According to a report published in 2023 by the National Federation of Builders (NFB) in collaboration with CITB, 25% of the industr y consider themselves to be neurodivergent a term describing differences in brain function, learning, information processing and behavioural traits including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia
Becky Broadbent, Knauf ’ s Sustainability Proposition Manager who led the project, said: “ This is not simply a design refinement It is a practical safety measure that supports better decisions from specification to installation, improving usability, confidence and reducing risk on site
“Fire safety decisions rely on robust product information, test data and installation guidance Therefore, accessibility is not a separate initiative from operational excellence it is essential to achieving safety, quality of application, and compliance ”
Product data sheets play a critical role across the entire value chain, providing essential guidance for the safe and correct use of key materials. By undertaking a review of its documentation to reduce
visual friction and improve typography, spacing, contrast and navigation, Knauf is ensuring technical guidance is intuitive and easily navigated
These improvements will now be implemented across all non-plasterboard product data sheets, directly supporting specifiers and installers to ensure compliance from specification to installation
Knauf ’ s move also aligns with the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) which now requires stronger
“This is not simply a design refinement. It is a practical safety measure that suppor ts better decisions from specification to installation, improving usability, confidence and reducing risk on site.”
controls over product information as well as audit trails, documented sign-off and clear internal processes affecting merchants too
Mark Charlesworth, Managing Director at Neuro Tide, adds: “ The CCPI wants product information to be clear, accurate, up-to-date, accessible and unambiguous in order to maintain quality and safety standards Knauf ’ s willingness to take this seriously is to be congratulated ”
n Knauf is now actively inviting industry feedback to understand the impact of the changes and guide further improvements to its product and safety information. Use the QR code to have your say:
Before and after: An example of Knauf's revised product data sheets (right), updated to integrate neuro-inclusive design
Clear and present ranger
Launched as part of its new ‘trusted deliveries’ strategy, STARK Building Materials UK has launched a digital delivery tracking and notification service that provides real-time updates on orders Firstly, customers are informed with a two-hour delivery window before being sent a second update, narrowing it to a one-hour slot.
Alongside this, a live tracking link allows the customer to monitor the driver’s route in real time. Customers must simply add their mobile telephone number when making an order to ensure they benefit from the ser vice Following initial development, the merchant group undertook an “extensive six-month customer trial of the soware which received positive feedback from pilot users ” and enabled the business to fine-tune its capabilities ahead of launch So far, the service has been rolled out to Jewson, Minster and Frazer customers and will soon be expanded to Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS) and Major Build Solutions (MBS)
Ian Goldsmith, Chief Operating Officer for STARK UK, said: “Real-time delivery updates have become part of everyday life, and customers increasingly expect the same level of visibility and convenience from their builders’ merchant Our new service has been designed to bring that experience into the construction supply chain, giving customers clearer communication, greater confidence around delivery times, and improved visibility from dispatch through to arrival.
“ e feedback throughout the trial period was extremely positive, with customers welcoming improved visibility and communication around deliveries
Several pilot users commented that this level of ser vice feels special for a builders’ merchant, and over time we expect it will
also help reduce the need for customers to contact branches to check on deliver y times or order status, letting them focus more of their time on their projects ”
Elsewhere, Ashworth the specialist distributor of commercial heating, plumbing and drainage solutions has rolled out Podfather logistics soware across its multi-depot operation Ser ving the whole of the UK, the firm makes around 200 deliveries a day to major commercial building, industrial and infrastructure sites, operating its own, mixed fleet, which ranges from 3 5-tonne flatbeds through to 18-tonne rigid trucks with HIAB and 44-tonne articulated lorries
Looking to transition to paper-free deliveries, the company will also boost its customer ser vice experience from improved logistics planning, route optimisation and
With timed and tracked deliveries increasingly common in all walks of life, trade customers now expect of the same levels of service from their merchant. With added efficiencies for the operator, PBM reports on two recent examples.
paper and specific individuals’ knowledge and experience.” Integrated with the company ’ s ERP system, the system is now being used to intelligently plan optimised routes across the countr y
Furthermore, at the start of each shi, drivers also use the Podfather app to access
“Real-time deliver y updates have become par t of ever yday life, and customers increasingly expect the same level of visibility and convenience from their builders’ merchant.”
proof of deliver y (POD) functionality
Ashworth MD Steve Everard commented: “ e platform makes it much easier for our customers to track deliveries in real time, reducing the need for follow-up calls and improving transparency At the same time, it helps us operate more efficiently through smarter routing, which supports our commitment to reducing environmental impact ”
Prior to the implementation, each of Ashworth’s four depots Bolton, Bristol, Dudley and Rochester operated a different deliver y management workflow where each also “had an over-reliance on
guided vehicle checks ensuring the fleet is roadworthy and providing early notification of potential issues or defects Once on the road, the app guides the driver through the schedule and provides real-time tracking without the need for fixed telematics, giving full visibility for back-office teams and management
Equally, customer ETA notifications and the ‘follow my driver’ feature are being utilised, improving the customer experience and “dramatically reducing the daily number of queries relating to deliveries ”
n Use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mcd012 for more information.
TRADEAZE ON-DEMAND DELIVERIES
Tradeaze is a construction sector focused, on demand delivery platform that enables builders’ merchants to offer rapid, flexible order fulfilment to trade customers without the need to expand their own fleet Its service connects merchants to a network of vetted drivers and appropriately equipped vehicles, allowing anything from small components to bulky, heavy materials to be delivered quickly and safely
With tradespeople increasingly expecting fast, reliable deliveries direct to site, Tradeaze gives merchants a practical way to enhance service levels, reduce operational pressure and strengthen customer loyalty Orders can be placed digitally, tracked in real time and completed with photo verified proof of delivery, giving merchants and their customers full visibility
For merchants, the platform acts as an overflow fleet, ensuring sales are not lost when urgent or same day deliveries are needed and existing vehicles are otherwise engaged In addition, it provides ‘scalable capacity’ whereby merchants can increase delivery availability without the cost and complexity of hiring drivers, maintaining additional vehicles or managing fluctuating demand
Already working with merchant business such as Travis Perkins, MP Moran, MKM and Lords, the business clearly has intentions to raise its profile within the sector further, maintaining a stand at the NMBS Exhibition and also delivering a session at last month’s NMBS All-Industry Conference in Alicante, with CEO & Co-Founder Jack Hopkins taking to the stage in Spain to discuss the importance for merchants of embracing technology-driven solutions to meet ever-evolving customer expectations.
The business also recently reported that former NMBS CEO Chrish Hayward has joined its advisory board COO/CFO & CoFounder Joe Blair commented on LinkedIn: “For Tradeaze, this is a huge moment We’re building logistics infrastructure for a sector with very specific operational challenges, and having someone with Chris’s insight, credibility and network supporting us is hugely valuable ”
In turn, Chris Hayward wrote: “Merchants are becoming increasingly aware of the need for same day or on-demand deliveries and this will become a very important operating strategy going forward to compete with the likes of Screwfix & Amazon
“Tradeaze’s USP (is its) ability to deliver heavyside products, with access to flatbed and other larger delivery vehicles, and catering for the special demands of trade customers.”
n For more information on Tradeaze, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mcd013
TRADEKART BAND OF BUILDERS PARTNERSHIP
TradeKart states it was built with a simple mission helping tradespeople save time, stay productive and keep projects moving With materials available from leading merchants and delivery in as little as 30 minutes, its marketplace is designed to help “reduce time spent away from site and keep jobs running smoothly ”
Reinforcing a commitment to supporting tradespeople both on and off the tools, the business has recently announced a new partnership with industry charity Band of Builders, which provides “practical, emotional and financial support to construction workers and their families facing illness, injury and lifechanging circumstances ”
Through the partnership, TradeKart will support fundraising initiatives, awareness campaigns and industry events designed to help Band of Builders reach even more tradespeople across the UK
Alistair, Founder of TradeKart, said: “We spend every day helping people save time, avoid supply runs and keep jobs moving, but this partnership is about something much bigger than materials.
“Band of Builders represents everything that’s great about our industry When someone needs help, the trade community shows up That’s exactly what Band of Builders has been doing for years, and we’re incredibly proud to support its work ”
n For more information on TradeKart, enter www.rdr.link/mcd014
City Plumbing reports that “solar demand has spiked” as homeowners respond to rising energy costs.
According to the leading merchant, demand for solar PV has risen by nearly a third as households react to rising energ y costs and uncertainty following the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East Indeed, since the start of March, City Plumbing has seen a 32% upli in overall solar PV sales, including batter y storage, converters and accessories
e business has also experienced a huge increase in interest around the components commonly used in plug-in solar systems, again following global events and also as a result of the Government’s announcement of plans to relax legislation in this area.
Furthermore, the firm notes that use of its online Solar PV Kit Builder has “increased by almost 70% compared to the same period last year ” as users explore system options and costs, as well as identify all the components needed for efficient, effective installation
And alongside product demand, City Plumbing has also seen sustained interest in its solar PV courses from its customers Delivered in partnership with renewable energ y training specialist GTEC Training, the three-day course covers how to “design, install, and commission rooop solar photovoltaics” at a subsidised cost of £264 (subject to funding eligibility.)
Hemal Morjaria, Chief Commercial Officer at City Plumbing, commented:
“When energ y prices become unpredictable, homeowners start looking at what they can do to take back some control, and solar is oen the first place they start As well as a spike in full rooop solar, we ’ ve seen huge
interest in smaller scale plug-in components, and while they are not a replacement for a full system, they do show how awareness is building and oen act as a first step before customers look at a larger installation.
“For installers, the key is being able to respond to this rising demand quickly and with confidence, and that comes down to having the right products available, backed by the right technical support.”
or solar
“Since the star t of March, City Plumbing has seen a 32% uplift in overall solar PV sales, including batter y storage, conver ters and accessories.”
To support growing demand, City Plumbing has a “national network of dedicated solar hubs” which are designed to give installers “fast access to the products they need, when they need them.” With the concept launched last year, the hubs offer same-day collection and next-day national delivery while offering a variety of essential solar products, including modules, mounting
systems, inverters, cables and switches to make it “easier for customers to access the last-minute items they need to complete installations and avoid costly delays ”
e first solar hub was opened in St Albans, with additional facilities now operational in Salford, Sheffield, Gloucester, Exeter, Birmingham Aston, Sidcup, PTS Coatbridge and Southampton Portswood
Explaining the strategy at the time of its launch, Hemal said: “Time and flexibility are absolutely crucial for solar projects (and) we ’ ve continued to build on our speed of service and range Now, customers can walk into a hub and get solar essentials there and then, or order online for quick click and collect or free next-day delivery (subject to T&Cs)
“We also time the deliver y of our PV panels for morning drop offs to help installers avoid issues with weather and site security while reducing project downtime. By understanding the specific challenges solar installers face and tailoring our ser vice to suit, we ’ ve had fantastic customer feedback and repeat business.”
Sustainability meets energy security
John Felgate, Managing Director of Stiebel Eltron UK, offers his perspectives on the Future Homes Standard — in particular, considering its impact in an era of increasing energy uncertainty.
In 2019, the UK Government set out an ambitious vision that all new homes built from 2025 would be zero carbon ready Now, with the Future Homes Standard confirmed to come fully into force in March 2028 following a 12-month transition period, that vision is finally becoming a reality at a time when it has never been more necessary.
Today’s energ y landscape is defined not just by decarbonisation targets, but by volatility Rising oil and gas prices, driven in part by ongoing global conflicts and geopolitical uncertainty, are placing sustained pressure on household energ y bills. As the UK remains exposed to international fossil fuel markets, consumers continue to feel the impact of events far beyond our borders.
There is also a growing conversation around decoupling electricity prices from fossil fuels which reflects a wider recognition that the current system leaves households vulnerable When gas prices spike, electricity prices often follow even when a growing share of that electricity is generated from renewable sources
There is increasing momentum behind reforms that could smooth out these price shocks, limiting the extent to which global
conflict and fossil fuel volatility dictate domestic energy costs. However, without structural change, even renewables risk being priced at levels inflated by gas driven markets
This is where the Future Homes Standard becomes more than an environmental policy It becomes part of the solution to energ y security and affordability.
A structural shift
The Future Homes Standard represents a fundamental shift in residential construction, targeting 75 to 80% lower carbon emissions compared to homes built under 2013 regulations. Beyond emissions, it offers a pathway to reduce long term exposure to volatile energ y markets
By prioritising low carbon heating systems and high-performance building fabric, new homes will require significantly less energ y and far less reliance on fossil fuels Fossil fuel boilers and direct electric heating will no longer meet requirements in most cases Instead, the focus will move towards heat pumps and renewable technologies such as solar PV, supported by better insulation, airtightness and glazing
This combinat ion not on ly c uts c arb on emissions but a ls o helps shield
home ow ners f rom pr ice sho cks It do es s o by incre asing t he us e of s elf-generate d ele c t r icit y, w hich is f re e at t he p oint of us e, and by le verag ing t he innate ef f icienc y of b ot h wel l-insu l ate d homes and he at pumps, w hich re quire fe wer units of energ y t han b oi lers to deliver t he s ame amount of he at.
As oil and gas prices continue to fluctuate, the cost of heating homes is likely to rise In contrast, homes built to the Future Homes Standard will be far less exposed to these increases
Heat pumps in particular offer a highly efficient alternative to gas boilers, delivering significantly lower carbon emissions while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. When paired with renewable electricity generation, they create a system that is not only cleaner, but more stable in the face of global market disruption
In this sense, the Future Homes Standard is not just about meeting net zero targets It is about protecting consumers
With the March 2028 implementation date now confirmed, the industr y finally has the clarity it needs to act decisively
Developers can move for ward with confidence, integrating compliant technologies into designs from the outset
Manufacturers can scale up production, invest in innovation and expand training programmes to meet growing demand
This is particularly important given the well documented need to accelerate heat
pump adoption across the UK. The Future Homes Standard provides a clear demand signal that can help bridge this gap
Additionally, The Government recently unveiled changes to its Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), increasing funding to £9,000 for homes currently using heating oil or LPG While the date for this change is still to be confirmed, it shows a commitment to accelerating heat pump adoption, particularly in off-grid properties where consumers are often more exposed to fossil fuel price volatility
The transition to low carbon homes will not happen by policy alone It requires collaboration, innovation and leadership across the sector At Stiebel Eltron, we are committed to supporting this shift
Through our range of high efficiency heat pumps and renewable solutions, alongside investment in training and installer support, we are helping to equip the industr y for the future
A defining opportunity
The Future Homes Standard arrives at a pivotal moment With energ y prices under pressure, global instability affecting supply and the urgent need to decarbonise, the case for change has never been stronger
By accelerating the adoption of heat pumps and renewable technologies, the Future Homes Standard offers a route to net zero homes that are not only sustainable, but resilient, shielding homeowners from the
volatility of fossil fuel markets
The challenge now is deliver y. But with the right focus and collaboration, March 2028 will mark more than a regulator y milestone It will signal the beginning of a more secure, affordable and sustainable energ y future for UK homes
n For more information on Stiebel Eltron UK’s range of products and ser vices, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mcd057
Stiebel Eltron UK’s expanded training centre at its Wirral headquar ters
Hybrid warfare
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) has changed again Now, air-to-air heat pumps become eligible, EPC requirements are relaxed and greater flexibility is introduced for heat pumps alongside other electric appliances. at’s all good, but one line hasn’t moved
Fossil-fuel hybrid systems remain outside the BUS. A household can get £7,500 towards an air source heat pump Combine it with a gas boiler and they get nothing e government has made its position clear
Fine. But here’s the problem: grant eligibility is not the same as good heating advice, and the industr y needs to stop treating it as though it is.
Inta is firmly pro-heat pump We have invested in products that help installers fit, protect and optimise air source heat pump systems because we believe they are central to the future of domestic heating In new builds and suitable retrofits, a full heat pump installation is the right answer Nobody serious is arguing other wise
But the UK’s housing stock is not made up of easy retrofits.
Millions of older properties were built around high-temperature heating, combi boilers, existing radiator systems and decades of customer expectation Some convert easily Others can, but only at a cost, disruption level and confidence threshold that stops the decision dead
at is where the policy debate has become too rigid and where the industr y is in danger of following it.
A heat-pump-led hybrid is not an argument against electrification It is a practical route into electrification for homes where the alternative isn’t a full heat pump installation this year but another decade of boiler-only heating at distinction matters enormously.
Last year, Worcester Bosch and the University of Salford produced the clearest UK evidence yet on what a properly configured hybrid actually delivers eir trial ran in a full-scale reconstruction of a pre-1919 solid-wall end-terrace no fabric upgrades, no ideal conditions with the heat pump set as the primar y source
e results were unambiguous e heat pump delivered a weighted average of 94% of annual heat demand At 7°C and above, it handled 100% of the space heating requirement. Even at -3°C, it still contributed more than 70%
Against a boiler-only baseline, the system delivered a 1,270kg CO₂ reduction around 77% of the carbon saving of a full heat pump
at is not a token gesture at decarbonisation. at is a substantially electrified heating system, with a boiler kept in reser ve for when it is genuinely needed
The market data underlines why this matters UK heat pump sales hit a record 125,037 units in 2025, up 27% year on year. Progress, yes but the growth rate has already slowed from 2024’s 56% surge, and the HPA has been clear that the sector needs around 33% compound annual growth to reach 450,000
PLUMBING
& HEATING
When it comes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and hybrid heating, Intatec CEO Stuart Gizzi argues that “grant rules are not the same as good advice.”
installations a year by 2030. We are not on that trajector y
The homes that could tip the numb ers are not the easy ones. The y are the older prop er ties, the reluc tant c ustomers, the jobs w here full conversion is technically p ossible but commercially and prac tically out of reach for the hous ehold in f ront of the installer
For those homes, the choice isn’t between a full heat pump and a hybrid. It’s between a hybrid and doing nothing
If a hybrid system puts the heat pump in charge for 94% of the year, slashes gas use, reduces carbon materially and gives a hesitant homeowner a route they are willing to take why would the industr y dismiss it simply because it doesn’t qualify for a grant?
e government may not be ready to back fossil-fuel hybrids through the BUS at is now settled But the absence of a grant does not remove the value of the technology
More heat pumps fitted Less gas burned Homeowners who would other wise wait a decade making the move now at should be the test not which box a system ticks on an Ofgem application form.
And on that test, heat-pump-led hybrids still deser ve to be taken seriously e industr y should say so.
n For more information on the solutions available from Intatec, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mcd015
PLUMBING & HEATING
Said
Care package
Akey benefit of proactive preventative maintenance is that it supports reliable performance over the lifetime of the boiler By addressing high-wear components at the right time, installers can help reduce unexpected breakdowns and callouts, minimising disruption for homeowners and maintaining optimal system efficiency.
Baxi’s new kits, while optional and not a warranty requirement, have been created to offer a structured, planned approach to maintenance focused on high-wear components They are available in two types: Care Kits, and Care Kits Plus
Recommended for use during an annual boiler service as part of routine preventative maintenance, the Care Kits option includes a combustion chamber door gasket, a flue adapter test point and O-ring, among other parts Replacing gaskets and seals is recommended once exposed through routine boiler strip-down during an annual service, to ensure efficient heating and hot water delivery
Care Kits Plus, meanwhile, are designed for key lifecycle points where additional components may benefit from replacement They are recommended by the manufacturer to be fitted every three to five years, dependent on system condition and usage These kits contain everything in the Baxi Care Kit along with further parts, including an ignition electrode with gasket and screws, an expansion vessel valve core, and a plate-to-plate heat exchanger gasket and screws.
The combination of components within each kit has been carefully selected based on the supplier’s research into the most frequently replaced parts. The data “strongly
suggests that the components in the Care Kits are used in around a third of ser vice and repair situations ”
“Packaging them together means they can be sold by merchants at a more competitive price point and ensures the installer has ever ything Baxi recommends they need at the time they need it.”
to offer additional advantages for merchants, Baxi has launched new Care Kits designed to make preventative boiler maintenance simpler for installers while also “enabling them to deliver above-and-beyond service and peace of mind to homeowners.”
Packaging them together means they can be sold by merchants at a more competitive price point and ensures the installer has ever ything Baxi recommends they need at the time they need it
Andrew Speake, Portfolio Manager at the supplier, said: “Installer input was an integral part of the development of the Care Kits. The feedback from those engineers taking part in the research was that our Care Kits are reassuring to the homeowner and add value, and that the pre-selected parts, along with the recommended timings for use, removes the guesswork commonly involved in preventative maintenance.
“Additionally, they commented that having all the parts in one sealed package would remove the need for multiple orders and journeys, while avoiding the need to carr y loose spares which can easily become damaged or lost in the engineer’s van. ”
He added: “Our Care Kits offer a straightfor ward way for installers to carr y out best practice preventive maintenance based on the age and condition of the boiler for the benefit of the customer Providing these identified components in easy-to-access Care Kits means they can be simply replaced before issues occur
“In this way, we hope to help installers move from reactive repairs to planned maintenance, supporting reliable performance, homeowner comfort, fewer disruptions, and providing clear value for the customer.”
STELRAD
NEW LOOK COLUMN RADIATORS
Stelrad has introduced an Italian-inspired new look to its range of Column radiators, in both vertical and horizontal styles The radiators have a new rounded column design, and the streamlined collection will feature 54 horizontal radiators and four vertical options with heights between 300mm and 2000mm and lengths from 348mm to 1866mm With an increased warranty extended from the current five years to fifteen years the radiators are supplied in eco-friendly biodegradable packaging and feature ‘automotive grade’ paint finishes for superior corrosion resistance, while offering “proven heat output and performance consistency ” All other core specifications remain consistent including colours with Traffic White and Anthracite Grey available from stock steel thickness, certifications and stock availability
n Find out more via www.rdr.link/mcd017
DAIKIN AC UNIT TEXTURED FINISHES
WAVIN SENTIO CONTROLS
PLUMBING & HEATING
Billed as an intelligent, all-in-one solution designed to seamlessly manage heating, cooling and air quality from a single intuitive platform, Sentio connects underfloor heating to thirdparty devices like heat pumps and dehumidifiers to deliver an “optimal indoor climate and energy savings in any domestic building ”
Using robust wireless connections, the supplier states that the system’s ‘autobalancing’ feature is designed to ensure that “every room stays perfectly heated,” automatically adjusting underfloor heating to the end customer’s needs and routines
n For more information, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mcd018
GEBERIT TOILET FLUSH PERFORMANCE
A new survey of more than 2,000 UK consumers suggests stockists could be “missing a major sales opportunity” by overlooking flush performance The research from Geberit revealed widespread frustration with toilet performance, with a clear disconnect between what customers experience in everyday use and what is prioritised when designing a new bathroom space
The research found that 85% of consumers have felt frustrated by a toilet that didn’t flush properly, while almost a third (31%) say they have been disappointed by the performance of a WC after installation Compounding this, only half of buyers could recall being given any information about flush performance when purchasing a toilet even though 42% say it is more important than look and style, and the same proportion rank it above price Acoustic performance is also emerging as a key selling point, particularly for ensuites and family homes
In response, Geberit says its TurboFlush technology “gives retailers a clear way to bring performance into the sales conversation” within the context of the WC system, which includes frames and flush plates Designed to deliver a more powerful, controlled and quieter flush, it directly addresses the issues consumers say matter most, from cleaning effectiveness to night-time noise
n Further information is available via www.rdr.link/mcd019
Daikin has announced the expansion of its award-winning Stylish air-to-air heat pump range, introducing five new textured finishes Developed to meet the demands of residential installers as well as the commercial sectors including boutique retail and luxury hospitality the “tasteful finishes transform the air conditioning unit into a high-design interior asset ”
At just 189mm deep, the Stylish is said to be one of the slimmest units on the market and is now available in a Light wood style with white body, an Oak wood style with black body, Grey fabric with black body, Dark brown leather style and black body plus a Colourful fabric style with white body
The new design options are said to “bridge the gap between world-class climate technology and interior design,” enabling installers to offer a solution that “doesn’t just heat and cool a room but enhances character, authenticity and ambience ”
n Use www.rdr.link/mcd020 to find out more.
24/7 sales growth
Beesley & Fildes has launched Otis a fully autonomous AI agent that searches live stock, builds quotations, manages trade accounts and handles complaints around the clock.
Said to be “already converting at more than twice the industr y baseline,” Otis has been developed in partnership with Optiflow Technologies and is now live on the company ’ s ecommerce platform at beesleyandfildes.co.uk.
The North West builders’ merchant was originally founded in 1820 and, for more than two centuries, its trade expertise has
been available during branch hours, on the end of a phone, from someone who knows the products Now, that expertise is being made available ever y hour of ever y day without a single call going unanswered
However, the business is keen to stress that “Otis is not a chatbot ” Instead, it “ reasons across multiple steps” to complete commercial tasks end to end searching live
inventory, generating multi-line quotations, processing trade account enquiries, managing complaints and integrating directly into the merchant’s CRM
The result is said to be a platform that drives sales growth around the clock, converting website traffic into qualified leads and quotations at ever y hour of the day, including the hours no branch is open.
Commercial Director James Beesley explained: “ The merchant sector is evolving rapidly, and customers increasingly expect instant access to information, pricing and support at any time of day Otis has been developed to support both our customers and our internal teams by improving response times, simplifying product discover y and helping customers complete projects more efficiently.
“ This is not about replacing people It is about enhancing customer ser vice, supporting sales growth and using technolog y intelligently within a builders’ merchant environment ”
Significantly, the platform has been trained specifically around builders’ merchant workflows and product categories, including timber, landscaping, bricks, aggregates, plumbing and building materials. Ever y
“Otis has been developed to suppor t both our customers and our internal teams by improving response times, simplifying product discover y and helping customers complete projects more efficiently.”
customer interaction is captured and fed directly into the merchant’s CRM, ensuring no lead or complaint falls through the cracks
Otis went live through a “deliberately controlled soft launch”. Within two weeks however, it was “already converting at more
than twice the industr y baseline real customers, real quotations, real sales ”
The platform is now fully live across the Beesley & Fildes ecommerce operation Chris Fagan, CEO of Optiflow Technologies, commented: “ The builders’ merchant sector is one of the last industries where the majority of sales still depend on someone picking up the phone. Ever y missed call, ever y overnight email, ever y customer who couldn’t get a price and went elsewhere that’s revenue walking out the door
“Otis closes that gap. Ever y enquir y answered, ever y quote delivered, ever y sales opportunity captured, at any hour, without adding headcount.”
Chris added: “At Beesley & Fildes, it was already converting at more than twice the industr y baseline within two weeks of going live real customers, real quotes, real sales For merchants who are serious about growth, that’s not a nice-to-have It’s a competitive necessity”
n The Otis AI agent is integrated directly into the Beesley & Fildes platform, meaning that its customers can:
l Search products using na tural conversa tion and live inventor y da ta
l Calcula te ma terial quantities for construction projects pa tios, driveways, walls, extensions, etc
l Generate multi-line quotations autonomously, without waiting for a callback
l Receive tailored product recommenda tions and cross-sell suggestions based on their project
l Access trade account informa tion, order histor y and pricing instantly
l Raise and track complaints with a consistent, professional response every time
l Get support outside standard trading hours including evenings, weekends and bank holidays
Optiflow Technologies is currently working with a select group of merchant partners and is actively expanding across the sector. Future development will extend the platform’s capabilities across procurement, customer operations and sales analytics which the company states will give merchants “ a single intelligent layer across their entire business, not just their website ”
n For more information on how Optiflow’s “fully autonomous AI agent” can support merchants, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mcd021
AI “hands merchants time to do more”
Kelly Stafford, Regional Account Manager at Merlin ERP, shares how AI is helping builders’ merchants who are short on time and long on jobs.
In most merchant businesses, one person wears several hats The person doing the buying is often the same one chasing an overdue account, before covering the counter when it gets busy.
Time is the thing you never have enough of, and a surprising amount of it goes on one thing: getting information in and out of your systems
Which customers have gone quiet? Which lines are sitting on a thin margin?
It’s all information stored in your ERP but historically, getting it out has meant building a report (or waiting on someone else to do so ) and by then, the moment for answers has passed
This is the job AI is built for With AI, you don’t operate the software so much as talk to it: ask a question in plain words, the way you'd ask anyone on your team, and AI finds the answer.
For Merlin ERP customers, this functionality is already here Merlin now runs on AppCentral, Aptean’s AI platform for merchants It’s the same fully integrated ERP you know, handling ever ything from order entr y through to deliver y across your supply chain, but now with AI built in.
Nothing you rely on changes. You can just ask it to deliver the critical information you need
Business insights without building reports
Bringing Merlin ERP into AppCentral has given our customers a faster way to access the insights they already capture. They can quer y which accounts have slipped off the radar and instantly generate a call list to chase up
Or they can flag which lines are selling under a 15% margin and sort the pricing before the next order goes out
With AppCentral, you can type a sentence in everyday language. “Give me a list of my top ten customers by sales volume,” or “show me products I haven’t sold in 30 days ”
Instead of the afternoon disappearing into pulling that information together, you ’ re focused on what happens next
who to call, which prices to update, what products to restock
Your priority is the response, not the leg work that used to come before it.
AI is changing the quality of customer interactions, too When a customer is on the phone placing an order, you can call up not only what they’ve bought before, but what they’ve stopped buying “You’ve not had any of those screws since March want me to add a box ?”
It is an effortless sale, while the call is live
Catch problems before looking for them AI doesn’t only answer the questions you put to it; you can set it to keep track of things for
you It can flag a usually reliable customer whose orders have been tailing off for months, or a product that’s started selling below margin since a supplier put their price up.
Trends and insights that are easy to miss when you ’ re working flat out
It’s like having someone keep half an eye on your business while you get on with ever ything else You don’t have to go looking for problems anymore they come to you, early enough to do something about them
It can also go a step further and act on alerts Say a price rise comes in from a supplier but your website is still selling at the old margin The system can catch it and put it right before the orders come in overnight,
rather than leaving you to find out once the sales have already been made
Most ERPs can’t do this yet…
For now, ver y few merchants have AI built into their ERP Most are still a step behind their own information In contrast, Merlin customers are asking the system a question over their morning coffee and getting the answer before their cup is empty
Across a week, these rapid, smart insights hand back hours that can go into winning new business, negotiating with suppliers, or nurturing customer relationships. Those are the jobs that grow your business, and the time to do them is exactly what your competitors haven't got yet
n For more on the benefits of an AIenabled merchant ERP, use the shortcode www rdr link/mcd022
n To book a Merlin ERP demo, use www rdr link/mcd023
Independent builders’ merchant group Lawsons reports it has unlocked an additional £250,000 in working capital after “digitising its cash handling operations” through its ongoing partnership with payment services specialist, Retail365.
Keeping the cash flowing
Operating across 35 sites and like many multi-branch operators handling high daily cash volumes, Lawsons previously relied on a traditional cash-in-transit model “where funds could take several days to clear,” tying up working capital and placing pressure on both branch and finance teams
Following the rollout of Retail365’s Smart Safe and Embedded Banking solution to eight branches (with a further nine planned for 2026), the merchant states it now benefits from same-day credit on cash deposits, automated reconciliation and real-time visibility of cash positions across the entire business
Cash is validated, secured and indemnified “from the moment it enters the safe, strengthening internal controls, removing risk at source and providing a foundation for continued business growth ”
The impact is said to have been immediate. Manual cash handling and end-of-day banking processes have been removed, saving an estimated 20–25 hours of staff time per week, while the shift from a seven-to-nine day clearing cycle to same-day credit has “delivered a permanent improvement in available liquidity through faster access to funds.”
Group Finance Director Chris Harrison
“The
explained: “Retail365 has fundamentally helped reshape Lawsons’ cash financial operations By removing the pressure of end of day banking and giving us real time visibility, it has created a calmer, more controlled environment for our people and allowed them to spend greater time supporting our customers
“ The immediate availability of funds has materially improved our working capital cash flow, which at the end of June 2025 was a cashflow from operations of £11.7m and an overall net cash position of £5 4m, enabling us to reinvest in support of our market share growth strateg y with greater agility”
Sarah Turner, Head of Group Internal Audit, added: “At Lawsons, strengthening our internal controls isn’t just about compliance it’s about creating a positive culture of confidence, clarity and accountability
“A robust controls environment gives our people the certainty they need to perform at their best and ensures we ’ re building a business that can scale safely and sustainably for our customers We are delighted to be working with Retail365 as our growth accelerates ”
The rollout reflects a wider shift among multi-site operators towards digitising cash operations particularly in sectors like builders’ merchants, where high daily cash
rollout reflects a wider shift among multi-site operators towards digitising cash operations
— par ticularly in sectors like builders’ merchants, where high daily cash volumes can leave significant funds tied up in slow clearing cycles.”
volumes can leave significant funds tied up in slow clearing cycles
Furthermore, as independent merchants “face ongoing margin pressure and rising operational costs,” the ability to unlock trapped cash and streamline processes is becoming increasingly critical According to Lawsons, this solution provides “ a concrete example of how modernising cash operations can have a direct impact on working capital and business growth ”
n For more information on Retail365’s solutions for the merchant sector, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mcd024
SLIMSTOCK HUWS GRAY PARTNERSHIP
Earlier in the year, Huws Gray announced it had partnered with Slimstock described as a global leader in AI-powered supply chain planning to enhance its central planning, automation and supply chain processes With the merchant looking to drive growth across the Group, its planning processes “increasingly need(ed) to balance local responsiveness with group-wide coordination ”
As such, the team believed that centralising its planning framework would “allow the business to standardise forecasting and replenishment decisions across the network to better meet demand while creating a scalable operating model to support continued growth.”
As part of this transformation, Huws Gray will adopt Slimstock’s AI-powered supply chain planning platform to automate ordering across the branch network, enabling it to:
l Free up branch teams to focus on customers by simplifying ordering
l Enable faster, more responsive replenishment through improved forecast accuracy
l Strengthen supplier collaboration through enhanced network visibility
A key priority was “the ability to enhance planning capabilities without disrupting existing systems ” Slimstock’s platform will integrate seamlessly with the Group’s existing Border Merchant Systems ERP, providing a dedicated planning layer to create visibility and control while maintaining operational stability
n For more information on Slimstock, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mcd025
BORDER MERCHANT SYSTEMS STOCK CHECK APP
With stock takes and inventory checks often time-consuming and disruptive to day-to-day operations, Border has designed its Stock Check App to simplify and streamline the process helping businesses complete stock checks more accurately, efficiently and with less downtime
The Stock Check App is a Progressive Web App (PWA) that works seamlessly across both mobile and tablet devices, giving your team the flexibility to manage stock checks wherever they are
Allowing merchants to carry out comprehensive checks across their entire product range with ease, key features include flexible multi-user permission settings, assignable stock check sheets, recount functionality for improved accuracy, quick and simple ad-hoc stock checks, offline capability for uninterrupted working plus real-time monitoring through a central dashboard.
Said to also be ideal for quick, one-off checks on selected products or smaller ranges, the Stock Check App helps businesses complete the process faster and more efficiently while reducing the risk of errors Upper and lower tolerances can be set by quantity or value, helping to flag potential keying mistakes before they become costly issues
n For more information or to see a demo of the full system, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mcd026
TEN-25 SOFTWARE DELIVERY SUPPORT
In a challenging market, Ten-25 MD Ian Oldrey questions whether merchants are fully covering the growing costs of their deliveries. Ian said: “Material costs have been climbing for years. Fuel is no different with conflicts overseas continuing to destabilise energy markets, there's no real sign that prices will ease any time soon
“And yet many merchants are still charging for delivery the same way they did a decade ago: a flat fee, or nothing at all ”
As Ian attests, “transport costs don’t sit neatly inside your product margin They erode it over time, order by order, until you’re reviewing month-end figures and wondering where the money went Gross margin looks reasonable, but nett margin tells a different story ”
He continues: “The starting point is simply knowing your numbers. Recording the actual cost of each delivery against the order separately from what you charged for it gives you gross and nett margin in the same place, at order level You can see exactly where transport costs are eating into real profitability, rather than finding out too late to do anything about it
“That visibility also makes conversations with customers far more straightforward when delivery charges need to change It’s not about squeezing every penny, it’s about running a sustainable business ”
n Find out how Ten-25’s Merchanter platform can help via www.rdr.link/mcd027
PIMBERLY PIM FOR BUILDERS’ MERCHANTS
Builders’ merchants juggle feeds from hundreds of manufacturers, each with inconsistent formats and completeness
Errors slip into ERP, web and branch systems however, Pimberly asserts that when product data is consistent across web and branches, customers trust what they see.
The business centralises and standardises supplier data and assets, streamlining onboarding, cutting manual collation and delivering “one approved source for eCommerce, depots and trade customers” from the same, trusted product record
This, it contends, enables merchants to “improve online sales while reducing counter-side confusion and returns ”
n Pimberly has worked with merchants such as JT Atkinson, City Plumbing, Elliotts and Howarth Timber & Building Supplies. For more information, go to www.rdr.link/mcd028
ECI SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS ‘PRACTICAL AI’ FROM SPRUCE
Most timber and builders’ merchants don’t want futuristic fluff they want fewer admin headaches, fewer order errors and customers who keep buying from them.
Spruce eCommerce says it gives merchants “an integrated online channel that actually earns its keep,” with trade accounts, live stock, supplier catalogue import and click & collect all connected directly into the back office
“Working from your Spruce data, not isolated spreadsheets,” it offers “practical AI, not pie in the sky” with automatic stock and price checks that “help catch the small margin leaks ” In addition, it can help ensure faster fulfilment options with delivery, scheduled drops or click & collect at branch all kept in sync with a merchant’s tills and inventory
n Find out more at www.rdr.link/mcd029
KLIPBOARD EMBEDDED AI
The latest release of ERP One (formerly known as K8) embeds artificial intelligence into the purposebuilt ERP platform, redefining how merchant businesses operate and helping teams move faster, reduce manual effort and make more confident decisions in real time With a track record of supporting companies that source, stock, sell and service products where speed, accuracy and coordination across operations are critical, the platform is now enhanced by embedding Klipboard AI to allow users to ask operational questions in plain language, receive instant, structured answers and take action immediately within the same workflow
Uses can range from checking stock and pricing to managing orders and customer accounts, removing the friction of navigating complex systems and enabling teams to work faster by reducing manual steps; improve accuracy across orders, stock and accounts; make informed decisions with real-time insight and respond to customers and suppliers with confidence
Klipboard CEO Ian Bendelow said:
“Many AI solutions promise transformation but sit outside the systems where real work happens Our approach is fundamentally different
“We’re embedding AI into ERP One so that it enhances the workflows our customers depend on for merchants and distributors, this isn’t about experimentation It’s about improving everyday performance across the business ”
n Discover more via www.rdr.link/mcd030
Professional
Campaign news
Carhartt
Sun Protection tough enough for the job site
Garments from the Carhartt Force range are designed to keep wearers cool as high temperatures and heavy workloads take their toll on site And as the heat rises, the additional attributes of the collection’s Sun Defender T-shirts come to the fore
Lightweight, comfortable and quick drying, they also have UPF 40+ protection which is said to block out almost 98% of UV rays
Scan the QR code or use www rdr link/mcd031 to find out more
Velux Partner Programme
‘Built to recognise the work you do,’ the roof windows specialist is outlining the merits of collaboration, highlighting the additional rewards and support available to trade customers by signing up to the Velux Partner Programme
Find out what your customers stand to gain by visiting www.rdr.link/mcd032
Kingspan
Tapered roof insulation
Also showcasing its tailormade customer support tools such as a bespoke tapered design service including on-site surveys and the creation of detailed plans Kingspan says that its lightweight boards deliver the required fall and insulation requirements in a single solution
Go to www rdr link/mcd033 for more information
Soprema
Speaking your language
There’s a clear theme of forging partnerships and closer supply chain collaboration coming through this month
Here, Soprema presents a selection of projects featuring its roofing systems and building envelope solutions, stating it can help those on site “from concept to construction ” Enter www rdr link/mcd034 to delve into the details.
In print via merchant trade counters and through an ever-increasing digital reach, Professional Builder and Professional Heating & Plumbing Installer magazines seek to inform and engage with over 200,000 industry professionals every month.
PBM considers a selection of supplier advertising campaigns from the latest issues of PB and PHPI, which are helping to create awareness and pull-through sales opportunities at merchant branches nationwide.
Novopress
Reliable connections for every job site
Engineered in Germany, Novopress says it has been a press pioneer and “setting standards in pipe connection technology since 1969 ” With tools that combine precision, durability and ease of use, its range includes the tools, jaws, slings and pivoting press rings to “deliver reliable performance in every job site situation ”
Use the shortcode www rdr link/mcd035 to discover more.
Polypipe Building Products
New website
Featuring optimised navigation, detailed case studies and the latest industry insights all alongside comprehensive product datasheets, technical documents, certifications and much more, Polypipe Building Products has launched is sleek new website Take a mooch around via www.rdr.link/mcd037
Diversitech
ASHP soakaway
Helping to prevent the condensate from air source heat pumps from flowing onto paths and driveways, Diversitech provides a “unique pre-bagged geotextile soakaway” solution for scenarios where drain routing is not available
Go to www rdr link/mcd036 for further details
alongside info on the company’s wide range of ancillary product solutions for the plumbing and heating sector.
Ridgid
Compact press tools
The supplier asserts that with its pressing technology, professionals can trust they’re investing in tools that will stand the test of time and empower end-users to tackle every job with confidence
Here, we focus on the innovative RP 251 from the RIDGID Compact Press Tool family alongside the even smaller RP 115 micro-Pressing Tool with each packing a performance punch beyond their weight and size
Use www.rdr.link/mcd038 for full details.
MARKETING SUPPORT
Fleet of foot
Bobcat Safety Footwear has introduced a new range of impactful point-of-sale display boards designed to help merchants drive awareness and sales across its expanding safety footwear portfolio.
Designed to draw the eye, the new displays capture the “bold, iconic identity” of the Bobcat brand, combining impactful visuals with clear product information to help customers make faster purchasing decisions Each board showcases up to five footwear styles from the range, spanning 27 SKUs with safety ratings from S3 to S7, including women ’s-specific options
The new PoS forms part of a broader support package for stockists including branded packaging and a suite of marketing materials, such as product brochures and leaflets. Merchants can also benefit from bespoke support and in-branch product demonstrations for both staff and
“ We k n o w t h
customers, delivered remotely via phone or video, or through prearranged site visits
In addition, a new website provides easy-to-access support tools, including a detailed over view of each product, along with full technical specifications and a ‘become a stockist’ section Moreover, the supplier has also implemented a “hard-hitting national promotional campaign” targeted at professional builders, installers and contractors, focused on driving trade buyers to builders' merchants.
distributor behind the range said: “For today’s customers who value ease and efficiency, taking the time to scroll through a product brochure or technical data sheet is often no longer an option That’s why PoS is becoming an increasingly effective way for merchants to inform customers about new product developments and the associated benefits
Peter Lawson, Brand Manager at Overland Shoes, the footwear industry specialist
s t r o n g v
h
Back to the future
Throughout the Summer, Grant UK’s Sales Team will be taking the supplier’s two display vans on tour, bringing a special 90s themed Roadshow to merchants in celebration of the company’s 30th anniversary.
Celebrating three decades of heating Britain’s homes, Grant UK’s 30th anniversar y celebrations have all been themed around 90s nostalgia Extending the retro vibe, the 90s Roadshow will not only offer the chance to discover all about the supplier’s innovative products with the vans including an Aerona 290 4kW heat pump, an Aerona Smart Controller, an Afinia radiator sample and a Mag One DUO magnetic filter display but also provide
visitors with throwback merchandise and iconic snacks from the decade!
Audrey Mannings, Creative and Events Manager at Grant UK, commented: “Our Sales Team are looking for ward to taking Grant UK’s 30th Anniversar y celebrations out on tour this Summer 2026 has been a special year for us, looking back at Grant UK’s achievements since 1996 and reminiscing about the memories made with customers over the years too
“We know that merchants have a small captive window to entice their busy customers so our new displays have been developed to combine strong visual impact with the established heritage of the B obcat brand We see this as an important toolkit to help merchants engage customers and support purchasing decisions at the trade counter ”
n For more information and to enquire about stocking Bobcat Safety Footwear, use the shortcode www rdr link/mcd039
“We wanted to extend our 90s themed celebrations to customers so this Roadshow will bring something fun and different to merchant branches over the coming weeks while also looking ahead to what is next in store for Grant UK ”
n Find out more via www.rdr.link/mcd040
RESAPOL MERCHANT ESSENTIALS BROCHURE
The distributor’s latest Merchant Essentials brochure, Edition 8, provides key information on the firm’s services for stockists alongside a selection from both “tried-and-tested favourites to brand new additions ”
By working with numerous key global manufacturers, the firm says it is able to bring merchants a range of “ over 6,000 high quality products” while the guide also highlights its Merchant Support Team services such as easy ordering, same/next day delivery and “unrivalled sales and technical advice ”
Download the guide via www rdr link/mcd041
TARMAC 80% RECYCLED PLASTIC PACKAGING
Having “previously led the sector with 50% recycled content” packaging, Tarmac has announced the rollout of new 80% recycled plastic packaging across a large portion of its Blue Circle & Ready-to-use range in a move said to “reinforce its position as an industry leader in sustainable innovation ”
Use the shortcode www rdr link/mcd042 for more information
KEYLITE FLAT ROOF SOLUTIONS BROCHURE
Following the recent acquisition of Whitesales’ flat roof product range, Keylite Roof Windows has launched a new Flat Roof Solutions brochure to showcase its expanded offering and newly integrated product range
The brochure provides comprehensive product information, including technical details and specification guidance, across the full portfolio including flat glass rooflights, lanterns, dome systems, sun tubes, kerbs and controls Download the guide via www rdr link/mcd043
NAVIGATOR MSL TAPS AND SHOWERS BROCHURE
The leading heating and plumbing sector distributor has launched its latest dedicated Taps and Showers brochure, offering a comprehensive range of taps for both bathrooms and kitchens along with a selection of showers and shower hoses Designed for reliability, ease of installation and long-lasting performance, the collection brings together a versatile range of modern and traditional styles for every bathroom and kitchen
For more information, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mcd044
ARIEL PLASTICS OVERVIEW GUIDE
FRONTLINE BATHROOMS PRICE CRASH BROCHURE
Developed with the merchant counter and showroom environments in mind, Frontline’s Spring/Summer 2026 Price Crash brochure features more than 1,000 discounted in-stock products, bringing together some of the supplier’s best-selling lines across sanitaryware, furniture, brassware, showers, baths, enclosures, wetroom panels, radiators, lighting, ventilation and bathroom technology with savings of up to 60% available
A key feature is the inclusion of ready-made bathroom bundles and suite packages, offering “simple solutions when customers are looking for a complete bathroom ” The publication also includes a lighter trade code beneath each listing, allowing merchants to “identify their own buying price at a glance and understand margin opportunity with ease ” Find out more via www.rdr.link/mcd045
Showcasing the company ’ s products, services and support, Ariel Plastics has launched its handy new ‘at-a-glance’ Overview Guide The supplier states it has “the widest choice of roofing sheets, rooflights and roofing accessories available in the UK,” and the 20-page brochure is organised into key product areas Roof Ventilation & Drainage, Roofline, various types of Roofing Sheets, Flat Glazing, Rooflights and Hygienic Cladding to make it easy to view the full Ariel Plastics range Available in print and online, go to www.rdr.link/mcd046 for full details.
For more examples of supplier support for merchants on the PBM website, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/047
BUNKER STORAGE + VELOCITY PRO GEAR TOOL BAG COLLABORATION
BUNKER Storage has teamed up with Velocity Pro Gear to launch an exclusive three-bag collaboration with the new BUNKER x Velocity collection
Comprising an Open Tote, a Backpack and a Kit Bag, all three bags are finished in a distinctive Desert Storm colourway an exclusive to this collaboration that will not be available across any other standard Velocity product range, giving stockists a unique selling point.
The partnership brings together “two powerhouses that have each earned an enviable reputation for rugged durability.” Said to offer a combination of premium build quality and thoughtful pocket layouts, each bag in the collection features “top-tier specifications” including 900D waterproof nylon exteriors to withstand unpredictable weather, a rigid 3 2mm polypropylene base for ultimate stability and impact resistance, plus marine-grade rivets throughout
Both brands are committed to developing the partnership further, with additional products already in the pipeline to ensure long-term category growth for merchant stockists
BUSHBOARD OPTIONS KITCHEN WORKTOPS
Bushboard has unveiled a refreshed identity for its long-established Options kitchen worktops range, designed to help merchants navigate today’s challenging trading environment With pricing pressures, a reduced volume of projects and increased competition across contracts, the supplier reports it has “streamlined the range to widen its appeal to merchant customers while improving sales efficiency ”
The new collection features 25 carefully selected best-selling decors, bringing together worktops and coordinating accessories in one streamlined offer By ensuring every décor is available across all product types, including splashbacks and upstands, the range is intended to remove unnecessary complexity and make ordering quicker and more intuitive for merchants and installers
Available in two clearly defined formats, the range caters to different project requirements without overcomplicating choice For example, the Light 28mm Postformed option provides a lightweight, easy-to-handle solution that is suitable for cost-conscious projects and quick installations, while the Plus 38mm Postformed range delivers a thicker profile for enhanced durability and a more premium finish
The supplier adds that it continues to support merchants with point-of-sale materials, display solutions and dedicated business support, helping to drive showroom engagement and improve sell-through, particularly for stockists with limited retail space
MIRKA UK DEXOS 110V DUST EXTRACTOR
The new 110V Mirka DEXOS 1217 M AFC dust extractor plugs into a 110V power supply, allowing users to meet site regulations while continuing to combine power and versatility to ensure a dust-free work environment. Powered by a 1200-watt brushless electric motor, the new unit can handle both wet and dry applications as well as being compa with multiple tool types
It also comes with two sockets with auto start capabilities This feature ensures the dust extraction system activates simultaneously with the power tool, so any dust and debris is captured by the extractor as soon as the tool is in use
LIGHTS
Makita has expanded its cordless lighting range with the 40VMax XGT ML013G and 18V DML819 LXT Magnetic Work Lights These lights can be attached and fixed to any metal surface with the powerful magnet, providing unparalleled flexibility, for instant, handsfree illumination, combining robust construction with advanced LED technology.
The versatile cordless work lights both deliver a maximum luminous flux of 1200 lumens and offer varying runtimes depending on the battery capacity used Each is equipped with a LED head with a diffusing lens to soften the output, reduce glare and provide widespread illumination while the LED head also rotates 300º horizontally (90º right and 210º left) and 180º vertically for added flexibility in awkward work areas
When not in use, this can be folded down for automatic shutdown while also reducing its overall size, enhancing portability and convenience
Described as a compact and versatile solution for accurate marking and alignment work in interior construction and installation, the Stabila LAX 60 G cross line laser uses GreenBeam technology to project extremely bright, razor-sharp green laser lines which are visible at a distance of up to 30m, even in daylight
With a levelling accuracy of ± 0 3mm/m, it offers high precision In manual mode the lines can be flexibly positioned at any inclination, while in pulse mode the working area can be enlarged to as much as 80m with the aid of a receiver
n Discover more through www.rdr.link/mcd052
GEBERIT NEW FURNITURE COLOURS
Tapping into demand for bolder bathrooms, Geberit has added striking new bathroom furniture colourways as part of a series extension For example, the new Aniara range includes the Rusty Red finish, while the existing Selnova Square and Selnova Compact ranges have been extended with a Sage Green design.
The new colour options make a statement as part of the Geberit Bathroom Collection (formerly Geberit Select Collection), extending the existing choice in bathroom storage whilst delivering “timeless, elegant design and a host of performance and installation features ”
n Enter www.rdr.link/mcd053 for more.
CARHARTT FORCE RANGE
High temperatures and heavy workloads can take their toll on site but as the heat rises, Carhartt Force is designed to keep wearers cool The range combines sweat-fighting performance, lightweight fabrics and unrestricted movement across a range of workwear essentials including shorts, trousers, leggings and lightweight jackets, plus accessories such as caps and socks for men and women
For instance, T-shirts sit at the heart of the men’s collection
Amid record-high temperatures and what promises to be another scorching hot summer, Overland Shoes the company behind Bobcat Safety Footwear has emphasised the role that the right pair of safety boots or shoes can play in reducing heat, improving comfort and making long hot days feel more manageable
Balancing workplace safety standards with lightweight design, breathable materials and unmatched comfort, the Bobcat Safety Footwear range incorporates Redbacks Leaf Spring Technology to absorb shock, reduce fatigue and provide all-day support for feet, knees, and back
Key summer solutions in the collection include the Knox, an athletic-inspired work trainer made from lightweight, breathable nylon and featuring a FITLOCK speed-lacing system for a secure, easy, and comfortable fit throughout the day Equally, the Rockford (pictured here in cool grey) is described as a durable, lightweight trainer-style shoe designed with a reinforced woven nylon upper and rubber toe guards to deliver all-day comfort and protection
n For more on the full range, visit the new website via www.rdr.link/mcd054
Available in short and long sleeve styles, the tees feature FastDry technology that wicks away sweat and dries quickly, together with extra stretch and improved breathability for all-day comfort alongside mesh ventilation panels to boost airflow
The Sun Defender T-shirts, meanwhile, are lightweight, comfortable and quick drying but also have UPF 40+ protection so they block almost 98% of UV rays
n Use www.rdr.link/mcd055 to discover more.
n For more
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Aptean page 48
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Baxi Heating UK Ltd page 39
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Buckbootz page 23
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FVTH Ltd page 25
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GenetiQ page 47
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Impact Handling page 26 www.rdr.link/mcd111
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Owlett-Jaton page 48 www rdr link/mcd113
Professional BUILDER LIVE page 19
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SEMA Ltd page 20 www rdr link/mcd115
Setcrete page 4 www rdr link/mcd116
SFA Saniflo UK Ltd page 40 www rdr link/mcd117
TEP Products Ltd page 7 www rdr link/mcd118
Ultratape outside back cover www rdr link/mcd119
With Paul Davies
L I V I N G I N A M E R I C A
Well, any chance to reference the ludicrously camp, star spangled performance of James Brown in Rocky IV, surely one of the daftest (yet still brilliant ) sports movies of all time It feels even more apt though, because the World Cup thus far has all been about what I believe the kids call ‘the vibes’
Maybe it’s because in the lead-in to the competition, we were expecting it to be some sort of dystopian nightmare From fears of heavy-handed law enforcement and scare stories about exorbitant ticket prices leading to half-empty stadiums, we were prepped to think that USA 2026 was a disaster in waiting
However, the reality has been well, just kinda fun Yes, the ‘hydration breaks’ are nothing more than ad slots for US television networks by stealth and the time difference means that many matches are taking place beyond the reach of all but the most dedicated insomniacs, but not every tournament can conveniently pair with BST-adjacent kick-off times.
So, while it can be a bit frustrating to wake up wondering what happened between Jordan and Algeria, this has actually fed into the real truth of the tournament this World Cup is built for social media
There was a taste of it in the build-up, with some confected banter about the merits of, say, Craven Cottage as opposed to the temples of glitzy sports entertainment that are routine across the USA And it simply is still amusing to see that Americans (not all, but enough…) just can’t comprehend what the rest of the world sees in ‘soccer’.
G A M E O N
Of course, it helps that the actual football has been pretty good too. The big teams and the big players mostly seem to have turned up, but credit to almost all of the supposed minnows for making an impact
The expansion to 48 teams was not without its criticism, but the likes of Cape Verde and even Curacao have left an indelible mark
We're also on course for this to be the best attended World Cup, and for it to feature the most goals Perhaps we do need to give some (grudging) credit to FIFA and the three host nations
But once the fans arrived and the games started in earnest Brilliant stuff all round Whilst the Dutch are still doing that en masse sideways shuffle and props must be given to the coordinated Viking rowing of the Norwegians, the stars of the show have clearly been the Tartan Army
Now, I don’t know if we’re being fed more of this particular content just because we’re British (I’ve seen clips of the Haka in LA when New Zealand were in town, so who knows what other bespoke videos are spreading out around the globe), but those vibes have just been incredible
Despite my own Scottish heritage (my mum’s maiden name was Urquhart), I can take or leave the bagpipes but exporting the wonderful tradition of bedecking public monuments with a traffic cone hat is something truly daft And at a time where there’s just too much tension, well, everywhere, bringing people together by being silly is the greatest victory we could have hoped for.
L O O K I N G A H E A D
The Premier League returns on Fri da y 2 1s t A ug ust, with champions Arsenal taking on newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates We’ll be back next season for the ‘just for fun’ PBM FPL mini-league and a quick glance at the fixtures suggests it might be worth loading up on Man Utd players
With Bruno Fernandes one of best performers last year, we’re expecting him to get off to a flyer this time around with an enticing early run starting with games against two of the sides to come up from the Championship
