Professional Builders Merchant September 19

PROFESSIONAL

BUILDERS MERCHANT THE No.1 BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MERCHANTS

SEPTEMBER 2019

MONTHLY TRENDS MONITOR GARDENS & LANDSCAPING Form and function

TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES Promotions and ‘eco packaging’

BRICKS, BLOCKS & MASONRY Supply chain partnerships

Plus: News, market information, training, merchandising & display solutions and more.

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

Fantasy Football Setting the pace

CONTENTS BRICKS, BLOCKS & MASONRY 29

THE HANDMADE’S TALE Grant & Stone discusses its partnership with Imperial Bricks for handmade bricks.

33

INCREASING OUTPUT Ibstock’s Independent Builders’ Merchant Forum revealed that UK brick manufacturing is at its highest level in over a decade.

36

ENERGY MANAGEMENT The Concrete Block Association outlines energy efficiency issues.

38

P R O D U C T S & S E RV I C E S

REGULARS 5 6 11 14 16 17 18 21 26 72 74 76 78 80 82

GARDENS & LANDSCAPING 40

ALL HANDS ON DECK Snows Timber launches a new composite timber decking range.

43

STYLE AND FUNCTION Practical and aesthetically pleasing channel drainage solutions.

47

P R O T E C T A N D S E RV E Ensuring porcelain paving is kept in pristine condition.

50

P R O D U C T S & S E RV I C E S

September 2019, Volume 29 No. 8

VIEWPOINT NEWS MARKET MONITOR MERCHANT FOCUS FACE TO FACE PEOPLE NEWS NBG BUYING BETTER BMF TRAINING ZONE SUPPLIER PROFILE COUNTER TALK — PB CAMPAIGN NEWS COUNTER TALK — PHPI POINT OF SALE PRODUCTS & SERVICES ADVERTISEMENT INDEX

SPECIAL REPORTS 8

PARK LIFE Previewing this year’s BMF Members’ Annual Conference and Awards.

12 THE PULSE Tracking confidence, concerns and prospects in the merchant sector.

12

TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES 53

SEAL THE DEAL Toolbank outlines the merchant benefits of this year’s Real Deals for You promotion.

57

CUTTING THE CORD Unveiling the Bosch BITURBO range of powerful cordless tools.

61

FOILED AGAIN Sustainable packaging for sealants.

65

DETECTORISTS Upselling opportunities with stud detection devices.

66

69

ON YOUR MARKS Considering the options for industrial markers.

P R O D U C T S & S E RV I C E S

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23 NEW DIRECTION In conversation with Steve Parkins, MD of the H&B Group.

COMPETITIONS 83 EVO-STIK FANTASY FOOTBALL VAR you having a laugh?

PBM SEPTEMBER 2019 3

VIEWPOINT

Sustainable solutions

F

or all the headlines grabbed by Boris Johnson’s new job and the not entirely unrelated ongoing farrago that is Brexit, the issue of climate change has remained remarkably high on the news agenda. In recent months, we’ve witnessed the contrasting forms of protest enacted by both Extinction Rebellion and many hundreds of thousands (possibly millions…) of Greta Thunberg-inspired schoolchildren across the globe.

Earlier in the summer, of course, torrential rain at home caused severe damage to the concrete spillway of the 300-million-gallon Toddbrook Reservoir, triggering fears that the dam wall could collapse and swamp the town of Whaley Bridge. Whilst many issues contributed to the near-failure, the increasing regularity of severe weather caused by climate change will only serve to place further pressure on our water management infrastructure.

Whilst scepticism persists in some quarters about the veracity of the issue itself, the UK has outwardly presented itself as being in the vanguard of climate crisis action. In June, a commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 was enshrined into law, making the nation the first major economy to do so. The country is also the frontrunner to host the UN’s 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) — a ‘critical global summit’ said to be the most significant since the Paris Agreement was struck in 2015.

PROFESSIONAL

BUILDERS MERCHANT THE No.1 BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MERCHANTS

SEPTEMBER 2019

MONTHLY TRENDS MONITOR GARDENS & LANDSCAPING Form and function

TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES Promotions and ‘eco packaging’

BRICKS, BLOCKS & MASONRY Supply chain partnerships

Plus: News, market information, training, merchandising & display solutions and more.

Fantasy Football Setting the pace

“Public investment has shrunk, and the rate of installations has gone backwards — with insulation measures installed in houses under Government schemes now around 95% lower than in 2012.”

Unfortunately, a report in July from the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee rather deflated the balloon. The report argued that improving the energy efficiency of buildings will be vital to meeting climate change obligations and would be “by far the cheapest way of cutting our emissions” yet progress has stalled in many ways.

The report cites a substantial “investment gap” and urges the allocation of more central funding for energy efficiency measures, noting that: “public investment has shrunk, and the rate of installations has gone backwards — with insulation measures installed in houses under Government schemes now around 95% lower than in 2012.”

Committee Chair Rachel Reeves MP said: “Despite a consensus on what needs to be done, Ministers have continued to sit on their hands and failed to deliver the policies needed to boost energy efficiency. The Government needs to commit to investing in schemes to ensure all buildings are brought up to the highest energy efficiency standards (but it) has failed to close loopholes in regulations that

Editor Paul Davies Editorial Assistant Abbie Smith Group Advertisement Manager Craig Jowsey craig@hamerville.co.uk Tel: 07900 248102 Advertisement Manager Sam Shannon-Tinsley Tel: 07554 013302 Design Adeel Qadri

Group Production Manager Carol Padgett Production Assistant Kerri Smith Circulation Manager Kirstie Day Consultant Branch Design Editor Ashley Evans M.A B.A MIMgt Managing Editor Terry Smith Publisher Bryan Shannon

allow builders to develop to outdated standards and also enabled them to sell homes that do not meet the standards advertised.”

No-one is arguing for a return to the farce of an ill-conceived initiative like the Green Deal, but more support — crucially, as part of a comprehensive strategy — is undoubtedly required. Notwithstanding the efforts from many manufacturers to improve the energy performance of their products and processes, progress will not be made if corners continue to be cut and the playing field is not level for all concerned.

And for the more cynical amongst you, the issue is not just about saving the planet but also saving — and making — money.

Innovation leads to efficiencies, better business practices and more sales as any project will include far more than just the elements covered by green schemes or subsidies.

With the charity National Energy Action arguing that 1.2m homes need to be renovated each year until 2035 for the Government to just keep pace with its own targets, that’s an awful lot of business waiting to be unlocked.

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Published by HAMERVILLE MEDIA GROUP Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts WD24 4YF. Tel: (01923) 237799 Fax: (01923) 246901 Email: pbm@hamerville.co.uk Copyright © 2019

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PBM SEPTEMBER 2019 5

NEWS UPDATE Three more for IBC

INFLEXION AGREES BUYOUT OF MARLEY FROM ETEX

Equity investment

The three directors of IBC (l-r): Kishor Harsiani, Dave Robertson and Paul Read.

The IBC Buying Group has welcomed three more independent merchants to its membership. PRG Builders Merchants, Maidstone Builders Merchants and Build It Builders Merchants have all joined the group, making the most of its partnerships with leading building material suppliers.

Ross Travers, IBC Account Manager, said: “We are delighted that these three independent builders’ merchants have chosen to join our membership. They are all successful and fast-growing businesses in their own right, and the fact that they can see the advantages joining IBC will bring to their business is proof of just how much independent merchants can benefit from the strong partnerships we have in place. We look forward to working closely with them going forward.”

As IBC members, merchants have access to strong pricing deals from more than 100 supplier partners, as well as a wide range of powerful marketing and business tools for independent merchants.

The newly launched IBC Members Portal, for example, gives members online access to their account details at any time, as well as instant access to the latest supplier deals, products, rebate information and performance figures.

Inflexion Private Equity has announced that it has agreed to acquire Marley from Etex, a Belgian building materials firm which has owned the roofing specialist since 1999. Founded in 1924, Marley is based in Staffordshire and employs 600 people across five manufacturing sites and two distribution centres.

The investment is being made by Inflexion Buyout Fund V, Inflexion’s dedicated mid‐market fund. Simon Turner, Managing Partner at the investment business, commented: “The team at Marley have done a phenomenal job in creating not only a truly market-leading product, but also a resilient and differentiated business model in an industry with very attractive dynamics.

“The brand is exceptionally well regarded, and we look forward to drawing upon our industry experience as we partner with management to build on Marley’s strong market position and product range.”

David Speakman, General Manager at Marley, commented: “We are extremely proud of our long heritage and are very excited by the opportunities to grow the company further.

Inflexion’s industry knowledge — gleaned through its investment in builders’ merchant Huws Gray — means it truly understands our sector, while its experience in helping expand businesses organically and acquisitively make it an excellent fit for our next stage of growth.”

Online access EKM.com has formed a partnership with NMBS to help independent builders’, plumbers’, hardware and timber merchants throughout the UK to trade online. NMBS first started working with the Preston-based ecommerce platform provider to help members maximise the opportunity of selling Velux products online to benefit fully from the supplier discounts the roof window company offers to those with an omnichannel offering.

After seeing the benefits that online sales could open up, NMBS is now working with EKM to give merchants a much wider offering.

Andy Hextall, Commercial Director at NMBS, said: “We know that a lot of our members already have websites but few of them have e-commerce sites, and yet this is a sales channel that’s rapidly becoming more important.”

He added: “Although we started this journey initially to help our members access incremental online sales and the additional discounts

EKM’s Mark Gilbertson

available from Velux, we’ve now taken that a stage further and can offer all our members an easy way to start selling online — taking the fear out of what might seem like an incredibly daunting task for independent merchants.”

Available as a ready-made platform, the system offers a wide range of features and price points depending on the merchant’s requirements. NMBS members can request a referral to EKM from the buying society, providing them with a 28-day free trial.

First launched in April, 60 NMBS members are already using the EKM platform, with many more getting started each week.

TEL: 01923 237799

EMAIL: PBM@HAMERVILLE.CO.UK

ELLIOTTS SUPPORTS COMMUNITIES WITH LIFE-SAVING DEVICES

Heart of the matter A number of communities across Hampshire will have 24/7 access to a life-saving defibrillators, thanks to investment from Elliotts.

Defibrillators with 24-hour access have been installed outside the builders’ merchant’s branches in Southampton, Ringwood, Lymington and Portsmouth.

Depots in Fareham, Bishop’s Waltham, Chandler’s Ford, Christchurch, Romsey, Tadley, Totton and Winchester have defibrillators located in-branch available to the local community during opening hours.

The potentially life-saving devices can increase the cardiac arrest survival rate to between 60-70%, with normal CPR giving just a 10% chance. If defibrillation occurs within one minute of the patient collapsing, they have a 90% chance of survival.

The investment from Elliotts comes after

first aid refresher training highlighted the importance of defibrillators. MD Tom Elliott explained: “It was easy to see how vital these machines can be in terms of the potential to save the life of an employee, customer or anyone nearby to an Elliotts that may need one.

I’m pleased that our investment will benefit all the communities in our 13 locations.”

Glee 2019 The forthcoming Glee exhibition is set to see 550+ suppliers join with 7,000 UK and international key decision makers, buyers and trend setters to reveal the very latest in the garden products market. The sizeable exhibition is reinforced by a host of special features alongside a packed programme of seminar sessions and workshops, all providing information on trends, merchandising and practical advice on ways to build better business.

A key area of the show for merchants is Glee’s Landscaping and Garden Decoration section which will showcase brands operating in hard and soft landscaping, aggregates, fencing, garden buildings and timber supplies.

Glee 2019 takes place at Birmingham’s NEC from 10-12 September. With free entry to all pre-registered visitors, for more information and to secure tickets visit www.gleebirmingham.com

BMF launches NE centre

The BMF has launched its first Regional Centre of Excellence in the North East at Marshalls purpose-built Eaglescliffe premises, near Stockton on Tees. This becomes the BMF’s 29th centre and the growing network, which now covers every region of the UK, means training courses and regional meetings are more accessible to BMF members across the UK and Ireland.

Peter Hallitt, Group Trading Director at Marshalls plc, said: “It’s good to be working so closely with the BMF. We have many joint opportunities to address in our industry, not least of which is attracting, retaining and training new young blood into our sector.

“Working with the BMF cements our relationship with our merchant customers and the opening of the BMF Centre of Excellence at our Eaglescliffe plant is another step on a journey we are proud to be part of.

We hope to support the BMF more with other locations around the UK.” New members to have joined the BMF recently include merchant AVS Fencing and Landscaping Supplies (with former BMF ViceChair Stewart Pierce now at the helm) and EazyStock, which offers inventory optimisation software, joining as a service member.

BMF MEMBERS’ ANNUAL CONFERENCE

PBM presenting the 2018 Training Company of the Year Award to MGM Timber

Park life B

uoyed by the success of this summer’s All Industry Conference in Dubrovnik, anticipation is high for this month’s BMF Members’ Annual Conference and Awards. Returning to the popular venue of St George’s Park, the event pairs a packed business programme with deserved recognition for some of the industry brightest young talents and the companies committed to their training and development.

A supplier exhibition and an active social programme — featuring a golf tournament at the newly-opened JCB Golf and Country Club along with the chance to tour the facilities of the St George’s Park and participate in a five-a-side tournament — reinforce the ample networking opportunities for delegates to discuss pressing business concerns during the two-day event.

Taking its theme this year as ‘Together we are Stronger’, the main Conference sessions will be hosted by David Domoney, the well-known TV broadcaster and garden designer. Delegates will hear a full review of the BMF’s recent activities along with an outline of its future plans, whilst speakers are set to include a senior government spokesperson to outline current construction industry policies — the previously announced Minister for Housing, Kit Malthouse, was moved to the Home Office in new PM Boris Johnson’s reshuffle.

A series of breakout sessions will allow delegates to drill down into the detail of a

8 PBM SEPTEMBER 2019

wide range of industry subjects, including employment law, transport and logistics, health & safety and margin maximisation.

Attendees will be able to choose from a selection of focused seminars to attend, with the sessions having been designed to offer a flavour of BMF ‘Plus Services’ and training provision on offer.

The audience will than have the opportunity to hear the incredible story of Keynote Speaker, Squadron Leader John Peters. The ex-RAF Pilot and Gulf War POW came to international attention in January 1991 when he was captured and tortured after his RAF Tornado was shot down over Iraq during the first Gulf War, becoming a potent symbol of Saddam Hussein’s ruthless aggression.

In the evening, the focus of a Black Tie Gala Dinner will be on recognising and rewarding the industry’s emerging talent with Awards presented to merchant and supplier ‘Young Achievers’. On announcing the shortlist, BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “Those nominated came from a diverse range of job roles and had taken various routes into the industry from traditional apprenticeships to fast track graduates. It is clear that there are a great many talented young people working in our industry and the judging panel had a tough job drawing up the shortlists.”

Eight businesses — Crystal, Encon Insulation, Ibstock, JCB, Kerridge

The merchant sector returns to St George’s Park in Burton upon Trent, home of the FA’s national football centre and the training base for England’s many successful football teams, for this year’s BMF Members’ Annual Conference and Awards.

PBM outlines some of the expected highlights.

Commercial Systems, Knauf, Marsh Industries and Velux — will battle it out for the coveted BMF Supplier Engagement Award, which recognises companies that have “actively sought to gain the greatest value” from their membership during the last 12 months, for example, successfully integrating their involvement with the BMF within their sales and marketing strategies or supporting key events.

A final award, proudly sponsored by PBM, is for the title of BMF Training Company of the Year. Selected for their commitment in supporting and developing their teams through their use of BMF training, entrants have been whittled down into five regional nominations: BPS Builders Merchants — NW England, West Midlands & North Wales Dumfries Timber Co — Scotland & Northern Ireland Chandler Material Supplies — London and Southern England Howarth Timber & Building Supplies — NE England, East Midlands, Yorkshire & Humberside LBS — SW England and South Wales The BMF Members’ Annual Conference and Awards will be held at St George’s Park National Football Centre, Burton upon Trent on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 September 2019. For more information, visit www.bmf.org.uk

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MARKET MONITOR in association with

Net benefits?

Whilst many merchant companies are now successfully developing their own e-commerce platforms, the sector continues to be challenged by disruptive internet retailers to the building trade. PBM considers cmostores.com, which is celebrating 220% growth over three years.

O

ver the last 12 months, Plymouth-based cmostores.com reports a 35% increase in visits to its four online superstores — covering roofing, drainage, insulation and doors — which supply in excess of 70,000 products across the build cycle to both trade and DIY customers. The business states it is specifically expanding its trade offering so that professional contractors can benefit from “trade credit, exclusive discounts, rebates and rewards” in order to drive new accounts and sales from larger building firms.

The online construction materials retailer states that sales increased by 44% in 2018 to continue a trend of record growth, with the firm’s e-commerce model “continuing to grab market share from traditional builders’ merchants”.

Consolidated group revenue rose 220% in just three years — from £12.1m at the end of 2015 to £38.6m in the year to 31 December 2018 — and the business predicts further turnover growth to around £50m in the current financial year, It is soon to launch two new superstores and CEO Andy Dunkley said: “Online retail has

revolutionised the high street, and the many benefits of internet shopping — including improved product choice as well as time and cost savings — are increasingly being taken into more traditional and trade sectors by forward-looking e-commerce businesses.

“As a result, we’re seeing phenomenal growth with our disruptive model already having a major impact on more traditional builders’ merchants.”

He continued: “Over the last year, we’ve continued to invest in developing our operational and executive team to ensure that our business is scalable with further significant expansion expected as we focus on enhancing our trade division. As a business, we are well on track with our plans and have an ambitious vision to establish ourselves as the leading brand in online construction products.”

Sue Packer, Chief Financial Officer, added: “We have a clear plan and these latest results mark another key milestone in our development.

We are financially robust and have huge potential for further growth. Already, we have

Andy Dunkley, CEO

been able to establish ourselves as a credible alternative by putting customers firmly at the centre of our proposition. Investment in providing user-friendly platforms, backed up by a knowledgeable sales team, has set us apart.

“We also place great emphasis on building strong, mutually-beneficial relationships with our supply partners enabling us to add the latest, innovative products to our online superstores. We look forward to building on this success as we continue to serve both DIY enthusiasts and the building trade.

Established in 2008 as Construction Materials Online, the firm is a secondgeneration family business which now employs a 100-strong team at its new, larger headquarters in Plymouth. Private equity house, Key Capital Partners (KCP), made an £8.65m investment in the business in 2017.

Robust outlook for merchants The most recent results from The Pulse, a monthly tracking survey by MRA Research into merchants’ confidence and prospects, show builders’ merchants remain buoyant despite a weaker July.

Sales expectations Asked about sales expectations for July, a net +48% of merchants expected sales to increase compared with June.

Merchants’ sales expectations have weakened since May when a net +64% thought sales would increase month-on-month.

Regionally, the South (net +67%) was more positive than the Midlands (+54%) and North (+50%). Scotland expected no change over the period.

Year-on-year, a net +56% expected an improvement in July compared to the same month in 2018. Independent (net +60%) and regional merchants (+62%) were more positive than national merchants (+47%).

Market confidence Confidence in the market has fallen since May to a net +8% of merchants more confident in July. This was up compared to June (net +4%), but not as strong as May (net +17%). Merchants in the North were the most positive (net +25%), while a net -2% in the South were less confident over the same period.

Confidence in the market dipped in July compared with the same month last year, with a net -1% of merchants less confident about the market. Confidence was significantly weaker compared to June and May when a net +15% and +12% respectively were more confident about the market.

8 PBM 12 PBMOCTOBER SEPTEMBER 2014 2019

TRENDS MONITOR Business confidence Confidence in their own business or branch remained high and relatively steady since May, with a net +42% of merchants more confident in July compared to June. Confidence was particularly strong in Scotland (net +75%), with no merchants interviewed in this region less confident.

Year-on-year, a net +41% of merchants said they were more positive than the same period last year. Confidence was highest in the Midlands with a net +70%.

Regionally, Scotland was the most confident year-on-year (net +27%), while a net -17% of merchants in the South were less confident compared with 12 months ago. Independent merchants (net +7%) were more confident than national or regional merchants, both below a net -2%.

Those who were more confident put this down to more favourable market conditions and a pick-up in sales and construction activity.

Among merchants who were less confident in July compared to the same period last year, most said it was due, in part, to Brexit and continued uncertainty. Other reasons included the current economic climate, a general slowdown or increasing competition.

As with all the charts, the difference between the percentage of merchants expecting growth over those expecting a decrease is the net balance, expressed as a percentage. A positive net figure indicates growth, while a net balance of zero implies no change. A negative net figure indicates decline.

Reasons for being MORE confident

Reasons for being LESS confident

“Last year there was a lot of stock allocation, more stock available this year.”

“Things are not going well in the market. Sales have dried up and small companies are going out of business.”

“Small/medium builders in the area are getting more work.”

“End of last year was busy, now Brexit seems to be hitting everyone due to uncertainty.”

“I think people were scared of Brexit, but it’s taken so long people are back spending.”

“There just seems to be a lot of building going on locally.”

“Competition from the internet.”

“Busy — more sales than this time last year.”

“75% of our builders are foreign, and I feel they’re holding off to see how Brexit turns out.”

“Business is great at the moment, very busy.”

“Basically, we’ve had a downturn in business in the last 6 weeks.”

“Sales are better than I thought they would be.”

“We have more competition closer now.”

■ the Pulse — a monthly trends survey that tracks builders’ merchants’ confidence and prospects over time — is produced by MRA Research, the

market research division of MRA Marketing. The survey captures merchants’ views of future prospects in terms of sales expectations, confidence in the market, confidence in their business, and the key issues and problems they experience.

This third survey in the series is based on telephone interviews carried out by MRA Research in July 2019. A representative sample of 100 merchants was interviewed, balanced by region, size and type of merchant, including nationals, regional multi-branch independents, and smaller independent merchants.

■ The full report can be downloaded for free from www.mra-research.co.uk/the-pulse and www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk, or call Anna Eriksson at MRA Research on 01453 521621.

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

PBM SEPTEMBER 2019 13

MERCHANT FOCUS Private equity investment continues to come into the merchant sector with Fairalls becoming the latest independent to enter into a deal with Cairngorm Capital.

Capital gains

OTHER NEWS:

A

nnounced in the height of summer, Fairalls has now joined with Cairngorm Capital’s other builders’ merchant brands, Parker Building Supplies and Stamco, to create what the specialist private investment firm described as “the largest independent builders’ merchant group in the south east”. This newly enlarged group now has 24 branches serving Surrey, Sussex and Kent, over 500 employees and combined revenues of £120 million.

A family firm dating its origins back to 1900, Fairalls offers a mix of heavy- and lightside building materials from four locations in Surrey and Kent — Gatwick, Sevenoaks and two branches in Godstone — with the Taylors Hill Branch in Godstone said to be one of the largest heavyside yards in the South East.

In 2018 the business, managed by Bob Fairall and his son Richard, achieved revenues of approximately £15million with 85 employees. The business will continue to trade under the Fairalls brand, with Bob remaining on an interim basis before entering retirement and Richard also staying with the company.

Following the purchase of Stamco earlier this year and Parkers in March

14 PBM SEPTEMBER 2019

2018, this is Cairngorm Capital’s third acquisition in the merchant sector. With minimal branch overlap and a “highly complementary product range”, the deal “offers the strategic opportunity for geographic expansion and advances Cairngorm Capital’s strategy to expand its business through a combination of acquisitions, new site development and organic growth”.

Bob Fairall said: “Having made the decision to retire, it seemed natural timing to find a partner who would ensure Fairalls fulfils its potential and I believe our partnership with Cairngorm Capital and the other group companies will achieve this. We have much in common with Parkers and Stamco in terms of heritage, outstanding product quality and a commitment to the highest standards of customer service, which makes this a very good fit.

“I am looking forward to facilitating a successful handover of the business to our new partners, who will be working closely with my son, Richard, to pursue new opportunities for innovation and growth, which will benefit our customers and employees, while retaining the company’s core values.”

■ The Builders Merchant Company has opened a new branch in Goole, East Yorkshire. The outlet marks the NBG partner’s third new opening in the last three years, with Rotherham and Hull building on the success of the original Scunthorpe branch.

The site consists of a 25,000 sq ft warehouse, external yard and separate show room facilities, and will be a flagship branch for the company. Due to its size and location along the M62 corridor, the site will act as a central distribution centre for BMC and enable it to feed goods throughout Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire efficiently and effectively.

■ Holmebuild has announced the opening of a brand new plumbing division at its site in Honley, near Huddersfield. Darren Walkden, who possesses many years of experience in the plumbers’ merchant sector, has been recruited to head up the department and to develop its product range.

MD Andrew Skelton explains that the standalone area has been “built from scratch” by constructing a new 70m2 mezzanine, with the new department adjoining the existing retail space to “provide a much needed plumbing supplies outlet in our vicinity”.

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

FACE TO FACE

With 25 years of product development and manufacturing experience, Everbuild — a Sika Company is one of the UK’s leading sealant, adhesive and building chemicals brands. Over 80% of the Everbuild product range is manufactured within its Leeds based factory which has the capability to produce over 55 million cartridges a year, along with a range of PVA’s, wood adhesives, fillers and building chemicals.

The company also reports having 99% stock availability, allowing merchants to supply their customers on a daily basis with confidence.

PBM speaks with Darren Bunting, Everbuild’s National Sales Manager – Nationals and Buying Groups.

How did you get into the industry and to your current position?

I began my career in 1988 at a sealant and adhesive manufacturing company in Derbyshire. This was intended to be a stop gap whilst taking exams but I ended up staying for nearly 20 years while progressing through the ranks!

I eventually moved to Everbuild in 2007, becoming National Sales Manager for Sealing and Bonding in 2015, Specialist Distribution Manager in 2016 before progressing to my current role as National Sales Manager for UK Groups and Nationals in 2017.

Q A

“The e-commerce and digital age has progressed dramatically in such a short period of time, which could potentially lead to big changes in how people search for and buy products; something we all need to be mindful of.”

16 PBM SEPTEMBER 2019

Working with both Everbuild and Sika has given me incredible experience of the different markets and the knowledge needed to progress the brand further in my current role.

How do you feel the industry has changed in recent years?

The whole distribution market over the years has seen many ups and downs but still finds a way of moving forward in both independent and national builders’ merchants. It remains as competitive as ever but I feel the online side has seen a big change over the years with companies becoming very proactive on the positioning of products.

Q A

What are the current challenges facing your company?

The biggest challenge we are facing is the uncertainty in regards to raw materials and what may happen over the next 12 months or so, but as a business we are in a strong position to cope and move forward with an ever growing customer base.

Q A

What are the challenges facing the merchant sector in particular?

The e-commerce and digital age has progressed dramatically in such a short period of time, which could potentially lead to big changes in how

Q A

people search for and buy products; something we all need to be mindful of.

What has been your biggest challenge so far?

Without a doubt, my biggest challenge so far has been the silicone market changes during 2018, which saw raw material prices fluctuate causing a massive challenge for the entire industry.

Q A

What has been the highlight of your career to date?

I must say, I think just seeing sustainable success within the two companies I have worked for is a testament to making a difference and to me that is success in its own right.

Q A

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

On a personal level, I plan to continue to help what is already a very successful business become even stronger, whilst working together with like-minded people to achieve our goals.

Q A

■ For more information on Everbuild’s range of products and services, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh001

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

PEOPLE NEWS

Sydenhams Timber & Builders Merchants has announced a number of changes to its senior executive team. With over 27 years in the industry at both national and independent merchants, including 18 years with Sydenhams, Lee Wright becomes Group Managing Director.

Lee’s previous role as Operations Director is filled by Kevin Clarke, who also has extensive knowledge of the industry and has been with the Group for a similar amount of time. Lastly, Jeremy Clark joined Sydenhams in 2018 from Taylorcocks, having previously trained and worked with Price Waterhouse Cooper, and takes up the position of Finance Director.

Jake Cintra has been named as the new National Sales Manager for W. Howard Group, focusing on the company’s Polyco veneer and foil-wrapped product range and with responsibility for the Western region of the firm’s white primed MDF business.

Jake, who has significant experience within the sector, said: “I’m looking forward to being able to bring my own knowledge to W. Howard to help it grow and develop its offering in the veneer and foil-wrapped product sectors. I am excited to learn more about the builders’ merchant market and to meet all of W. Howard’s distribution customers.”

Ryan Tabb is Quinn Building Products’ new Rooftiles Business Development Manager. The appointment comes after a successful four years for Ryan as Quinn’s Area Sales Manager for the North West.

Ryan has worked in construction sales for 17 years and will be responsible for the growth and development of Quinn’s Rooftiles business nationally, supporting the ever-changing needs of the company’s merchant customer base.

Global Stone has promoted Des Stokes into the role of Key Account Director. Des has been with the business for over nine years and has 25 years experience in the sector. He will be responsible for new business development within the independent merchant landscaping sector as well continuing his responsibility for managing the External Sales team.

Bushboard has expanded its sales team once again with Becky Scaife joining the company as a highly experienced Key Account Manager covering the South East, South West and Midlands regions. Becky assumes responsibility for key distributor support as well as securing new partners for the company’s successful worksurface and statement splashback collections.

Nigel Machin, Bushboard’s UK and Ireland Sales Manager welcomes Becky Scaife

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Taking the latest step in her successful six-year career at Visqueen, Georgia Oxbrough has been promoted to the role of Business Development Manager for the North of England and Scotland. As a BDM, she takes on a more external role, with duties including building close relationships with merchant customers, distributors and end-users.

PBM SEPTEMBER 2019 17

NBG BUYING BETTER

Building blocks for success Jimmy Stewart, Director of Stewarts Building Services, explains how being an NBG partner has sparked business expansion while a new brick and block deal is saving money for Scottish partners.

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tewarts Building Services opened the doors of a small yard and a cabin in Perthshire in 1995. The heavyside specialist moved to a new two-acre site in 2000 before joining NBG in 2007 and opening a second depot.

Jimmy Stewart has over 35 years of experience in the industry and has seen Stewarts Building Services go from strength to strength since becoming an NBG partner. He said: “When we joined NBG, we specialised in brick, block and landscaping. Due to having access to a full support network of partners and such good deals, we’ve been able to expand our offering to include timber and plumbing and heating.

“Perhaps the biggest benefit of being part of NBG is the information-sharing. All the partners are experts in what they do and are around whenever you need advice.”

Since joining NBG, Stewarts Building Services has been part of the Brick and Block Category Management Team (CMT) with Jimmy involved in negotiating deals and securing the group’s annual product allocation.

The latest Monthly Statistics of Building Materials and Components from BEIS revealed that the UK brick industry is starting to meet demand, posting a 3.3% increase in product dispatch this year. However, availability is still an issue as Jimmy explained: “Merchants have been experiencing a lack of availability of bricks and blocks in the last few years, due to manufacturers struggling to keep up with demand post-recession.

“At NBG, we’ve secured an annual allocation of product to help our partners.

I wouldn’t like to be an independent brick and

18 PBM SEPTEMBER 2019

block merchant outside a buying group at the moment,” adds Jimmy.

While supply has been lower, partners have noticed an increase in new products aimed at filling a gap in the market. Jimmy said: “One thing we have noticed is an increase in the popularity of concrete bricks as a substitute for clay. Concrete manufacturers have really upped their game recently to bring a good product to the market that can rival clay and fill the void left open due to the lack of availability.

We’ve also seen more bricks being imported from further afield, rather than being produced in the UK.” NBG’s Brick and Block CMT has been working hard to secure new deals and thanks to an agreement with Patersons Concrete, Stewarts Building Services is already saving money. Jimmy comments: “Paterson’s has opened a new state-of-the-art factory near Glasgow and has the technology to specialise in different types of concrete brick.

“The deal went live in March and is a fantastic addition for Scottish partners in particular. Not only do we have access to a quality product, but the manufacturers are now much closer to home, so we are paying less for haulage.

“Being an NBG partner really has allowed us to buy better. Making the most of good deals has allowed us to grow our business into new sectors and our plan now is to keep working hard to make sure we move forward and continue to evolve.”

NBG NEWS ■ NBG partner PGR Builders & Timber Merchants has recently opened its eighth branch in Braintree, Essex.

■ NBG has appointed an additional buyer: Paul Duff joined the group at the end of August and will be working to both improve partner deals and to grow suppliers sales.

■ County Building Supplies opened two new branches in July and August, one in Hereford and a Plumbing and Heating branch in Tewkesbury.

■ Plans for the NBG Conference 2019 are well underway. Partners, suppliers and guests will be heading to Glasgow on 19 and 20 November.

■ For more information, visit nationalbuyinggroup.com, find them on Twitter at @NBGLLP or on LinkedIn at National Buying Group.

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TRAINING ZONE

Diverse solutions The broad range of the BMF’s training provision is highlighted as the Federation reveals the winners of this year’s annual Mastermerchant competition as well as outlining the upcoming Branch Managers Forum.

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hile a great deal of BMF training is classroom or computer based, one of the longest running training courses deliberately takes delegates out of their comfort zones and into the wild outdoors. Held over a weekend in the Lake District, the annual Mastermerchant competition is the perfect teambuilding event.

Mastermerchant, which first took place in the 1980s, involves teams of four competing in a range of challenges that test their communication and problem-solving ability as much as their physical perseverance. The fun event has a serious purpose as the competition is designed to help colleagues discover how much more can be accomplished through teamwork. Zip wire and rope climbing tasks were added to the physical challenges this year and teams also

tackled mental challenges to uncover clues and crack codes.

Chandlers Builders’ Merchants took the overall prize for the third year running, with first time entrants, Hafele, taking the Super Supplier Award. And, of course, each of the 14 participating teams returned to work with a greater understanding of their colleagues’ strengths and skills.

Branch Managers Forum A more recent addition to the BMF training programme is the BMF Branch Managers’ Forum which has quickly established itself in the annual calendar. The two-day event is specifically designed to help Branch Managers, and those aspiring to the role, to run their branches more effectively and improve performance in every aspect.

This year’s event takes place from 30 October to 1 November at the Coventry head office, and the BMF has geared the subject matter to stimulate new thinking and galvanise action when delegates return to their branches.

Chaired by Sue Reed, a BMF trainer and Fellow of the Institute of Sales Management, an impressive array of industry experts will share their knowledge on a wide variety of branchrelated subjects.

Topics include leadership and management, traditional and digital marketing, increasing sales margins, diversity and equality in employment, environmental efficiency, health and safety, as well as product masterclasses.

The programme concludes with a truly inspirational speech from retired Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Hill, who has dealt with huge changes to build a new life after shrapnel from an IED tore into his brain whilst fighting in

Upcoming Training Courses 4-5 Sept How to Train & Develop Team Members Coventry 11 Sept Better Banter: Humour or Harassment Nottingham 12 Sept Measuring Building Quantities Coventry 14-16 Sept Managing for Success Coventry 29 Oct Data Protection for Branch Managers Nottingham 31 Oct-1 Nov Branch Managers Forum Coventry

“The Mastermerchant competition is designed to help colleagues discover how much more can be accomplished through teamwork.”

Afghanistan. Stewart will deliver an amazing insight into his achievements, reflecting on the significance of teamwork, trust and communication and how life’s obstacles can be met head on and overcome.

To find out more about the Branch Managers Forum or any aspect of the BMF’s training programme, contact Paige Godsell, Training Co-ordinator at paige.godsell@bmf.org.uk or call her on 02476 854989.

■ BMF training ranges from formal Apprenticeships, sector-specific Diplomas and a Foundation Degree in Merchant Management to online product knowledge and other specialist skills training.

PBM SEPTEMBER 2019 21

SPECIAL REPORT: H&B GROUP

New direction H&B Group is now headed by Steve Parkins, a man with a strong background in the nationals. We talk to Steve about what he can bring to — and is learning from — the independent sector.

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he H&B Group now boasts a turnover nudging £1billion, brokering deals for nearly eighty merchants across the UK which range in size from £5 million to in excess of £150 million.

Those merchants boast a combined total of around 215 branches — stretching from Cornwall to the north of Scotland — and benefit from over 400 of “the best deals in the industry.”

Put simply, the buying group is no small operation — although the business is efficiently run with only a small headcount from its offices in Milton Keynes — but instead one with a 25+ year history and an incredibly loyal merchant membership.

Since April last year, it has been headed up by MD Steve Parkins. With a long and illustrious track record with the national merchant chains — a fact that may have raised a few eyebrows when he was appointed at H&B — it is perhaps less well known that his career was firmly established in the independent sector, starting out as buying office assistant at G. A. Day, a sixbranch operation headquartered in his native Portsmouth.

“I started out at Day as an assistant in the buying office in 1983,” remembers Steve, “but that didn’t mean I was deskbound. I got a good grounding in the way

the whole business ran including helping out in the yard and on the trade counter, wherever I was needed.”

The independent firm gave him the opportunity to complete his HNC in Business and Finance, helping him launch the next stage of his career, and his first foray into the nationals arena was at the 62-branch Hall & Co as a divisional buyer, based in Redhill. After four years it was acquired by Wolseley and, recognising Steve as rising star, interviewed him for a position at its Kettering HQ. A move to Jewson as Category Buying Manager followed in 2000, of which he said: “I spent twelve years at Saint-Gobain, eventually becoming Procurement Director across all the UK brands and absolutely loved it there. It was a great company to work for and a privilege to help grow and develop the procurement function within it.”

In 2012, he joined Grafton as Procurement Director. “I headed up the team tasked with coalescing the group’s buying across the UK and Ireland, something that had never been done before and I think, as a buying board, we delivered real added value across Grafton.”

A final plc appointment before H&B was with CRH, where Steve held the position of European Procurement Director. Based in Amsterdam, he was responsible for the

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development of the function in six countries across Europe, however an initial approach from H&B came in early 2018.

“To be honest, I only really knew H&B by name and because Days used to be a buying group member back in the day, so I knew the business model,” he admits. “I had no real idea of the scale of the operation or the culture and quality of the membership.”

With his new role in the independent sector, will his background see H&B become, for example, more ‘corporate’ now that an ex-nationals man is at the helm?

“H&B is, first and foremost, a buying

“We want to remain flexible and innovative and to implement decisions quickly, but I want that to be within the framework of a strong long-term strategy for the business.”

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SPECIAL REPORT: H&B GROUP

JTD was the first merchant business to ‘graduate’ from the Development Group to the main H&B Group

group. We will remain agile and continue to make commercially astute decisions that optimise value for our members. But if corporate means professional, with proven processes, and a results-driven ethos, then yes,” Steve argues. “If corporate means slow, red tape-bound and bureaucratic, then that’s a no.

“We will certainly be retaining the solid core values that our members appreciate — like integrity, agility and entrepreneurship — but we will also be

adding a strong layer of planning, robust processes and strategic development.

“H&B prides itself on being very flexible — our members run agile businesses, and they expect their buying group to be the same. The members certainly don’t ‘sugar coat’ things; they tell it to you just like it is and that frank, open feedback is really important.

“I am looking to blend this openness with a stronger strategic focus. We want to remain flexible and innovative and to implement decisions quickly, but I want that to be within the framework of a strong long-term strategy for the business.”

One of Steve’s key objectives for the future is to grow the membership benefits beyond just great deals. “Buying better is and remains at the very heart of what we do,” he says. “But I want to look at ways we can leverage our tremendous collective power to the advantage of the company’s members.

There is so much more we can do with a well-executed strategic plan.”

That plan may include selling initiatives, online schemes, and better partnerships with suppliers, as well as increased resources to make membership even more profitable for members.

“Standing still is simply not an option,” says Steve. “So you can expect to see H&B getting bigger and better in the coming years. By continuing to offer better availability, service and, in many cases, prices, independents have proved time and time again that they can more than match the nationals, especially when the market is volatile, because they can move and flex their businesses much more effectively and efficiently.

“A focused strategic plan, partnered with the agility and the shrewd business acumen of the independent sector means H&B will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.”

■ For more information visit www.handbgroup.com

SUPPLIER PROFILE

Pure Genius Quinn Building Products says its name has become synonymous with diversity and innovation in recent years, with its broad portfolio of complimentary building products and an “appetite for progression” which has seen its product and service offerings continually develop to meet the everchanging market needs. PBM reports.

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aking place between 8-10 October at Birmingham’s NEC, Quinn says this year’s UK Construction Week is set to see the company live up to this reputation as it launches a new digital offering for its NBG merchant customers — the Genius app. The app has been designed to simplify the delivery management process for Quinn customers and to maximise the value the company’s merchants get from their bespoke mixed loads deliveries.

As well as giving merchants a simple digital solution for their delivery management, the app will provide customers access to a full library of technical and product resources to ensure they have the knowledge to advise their customers at their fingertips.

Quinn worked closely with NBG and its merchant partners in the development of the Genius app, which will initially be available to them exclusively. Lee Gillman, GB Sales and Marketing Director, outlined the company’s priority in the app development by saying: “The key thing for us is that the app has been built specifically to address the needs of merchants, who have been heavily involved throughout the design and development process.

“Their input at every stage was crucial to refining and adapting every detail to ensure the end product is a functional and practical solution which delivers value by addressing the ‘pain points’ experienced by merchants.

development project spanning almost three years for Quinn, with the resulting Delivery Hub system a bespoke software solution which has streamlined the complex logistical management of mixed loads through the innovative use of technology.

The new Hub ensures even greater efficiencies are achieved and will allow the company to further refine its delivery logistics through data analytics and machine learning.

Business Development Manager, Paul Melanophy, said: “This new system ensures a more simplified solution for everyone involved, from our own personnel to our contracted hauliers and — most importantly — our merchant customers.

“Removing paper and siloed data gives us the ability to analyse the data on our deliveries and mixed loads to give greater insight to drive ongoing efficiencies and improvement. The fact that we are informed in real-time now about all product movement translates into a better overall experience for our customers.”

Smarter Delivery Solutions The project to develop the new Genius app was an extension of a much larger project to develop the company’s mixed loads deliveries into a fully digitised solution. This has seen a six-figure investment and a

Diverse offering Quinn’s mixed loads are only possible thanks to the array of building materials the company produces. Constantly evolving, in recent years Quinn has added multiple new products to its portfolio, from Quinn Therm

26 PBM SEPTEMBER 2019

Isoshield high performance full fill insulation, to an extended range of bagged cement products. The firm has invested in purpose-built cement terminals to supply bulk cement to the UK market and also expanded its precast concrete range to service the growing off-site manufacturing market.

Product development, however, is just one area of focus as services continue to develop in the same progressive manner. This includes the company’s technical services, tools and technologies, such as BIM, or the full-service design to installation package in Quinn Precast, or the development of its logistics offering with the systemisation of mixed loads delivery solutions, right through to the new Genius app.

Whilst an evolving portfolio of products and an expanded service offering have helped establish the Quinn reputation for progressive thinking, perhaps less wellknown is a significant investment in the area of sustainability. The focus for Quinn is twofold — ensuring it minimises its impact on

the environment and makes a significant contribution to environmental sustainability is coupled with a vision of a longterm future for the business and the people and communities they impact.

The culture of sustainability manifests itself across the Quinn business, from the suppliers and raw materials it uses, its manufacturing processes and the finished products, to the investment in education and people development, community support and the preservation of heritage and biodiversity in its surroundings.

Award-winning educational partnerships and people development programmes have been established whilst the firm is engaged in large scale sustainability projects to protect and enhance the area around its facilities. In addition, the business is investing in bespoke research to develop innovative ways to further reduce waste and proactively promote the smaller contributions to protect the environment in its daily work.

Mixed loads solution The builders’ merchant market is the backbone of Quinn Building Products’ GB business and its suite of complimentary building materials enables the firm to stand apart when it comes to flexible delivery solutions and stock management — a key sell for its merchant customers.

Its mixed loads delivery solution is significantly more economical and efficient and has proven to be a unique selling point with widespread appeal in the market, offering Quinn’s merchant customers better value, speed of delivery and greater flexibility with their deliveries and stock management — with the added benefit of significantly reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

Offering a diverse product range that includes a mix of heavier products such as cement, concrete rooftiles and blocks alongside lighter products such as PIR and EPS insulation, with demand and weight restrictions limiting the volume of heavier products on lorries for many companies Quinn can maximise the volume of its 80+ lorry loads despatched daily by carrying a mix of heavy goods topped with lighter insulation products.

This ensures no space is wasted, cutting the number of vehicles required on the road, thus reducing the environmental impact by an estimated 40%.

■ For more infor mation on Quinn Building Products, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh002

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Dulux Trade is informing merchants of its support for UK decorators with launch of the Dulux Trade Colour Sensor.

Sensory perception D

ulux Trade has launched a must-have piece of kit for decorators to allow them to match the colour of multiple surfaces to Dulux Trade paint on the job. The bespoke Dulux Trade Colour Sensor has been adapted for Dulux Trade paints to give far greater accuracy.

The cutting-edge device, which is the approximate size of a 50 pence piece and weighs only 17 grams, will instil confidence for professionals to make colour recommendations on the spot and is an essential new gadget to add to a decorators’ tool box.

The colour sensor works by scanning for the desired colour — whether it be a favourite item of clothing, a cushion, or a picture of a sunset in a magazine — and showing the closest Dulux Trade paint match via Bluetooth on the Dulux Trade Colour Sensor app that can be downloaded free to a phone or tablet.

The app also shows a selection of rooms painted in the colour to give customers higher confidence levels and ensure every customer is satisfied with the resulting job. It launched in July and the recommended retail price is £150.

The durable sensor contains an integrated, rechargeable battery which provides more than 3,000 scans per charge.

The pocket-size sensor is an additional on

the job support tool to compliment other Dulux Trade colour tools including the Dulux Trade Colour Palette Fandeck, curated Dulux Trade colour palettes in stores and high precision colour matching.

Karen Wilkinson, Dulux Trade Marketing Lead, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer our own colour sensor to decorators. It is the culmination of a significant investment to make their working lives more efficient and help them to confidently select the best colour for their needs.

“The colour sensor costs much less than other colour scanners and enables decorators to match Dulux Trade paints with incredible accuracy to give them an edge over competitors. Being able to offer colour matching on site will help decorators to demonstrate professionalism and win more business from current and new customers.”

The introduction of the colour sensor comes as Dulux launches its Dulux Promise — a commitment to professionals that Dulux Trade products will deliver perfect colour, a uniform finish and the stated coverage, or else receive vouchers to cover the cost of replacement products.

The Dulux Trade Colour Sensor will be available for purchase in store and online at Dulux Decorator Centres and other participating decorating merchants across the UK. ■ For further information on the Dulux Trade Colour Sensor, including an introductory video, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh003

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BRICKS, BLOCKS & MASONRY

The handmade’s tale PBM speaks with Grant & Stone and Imperial Bricks to discuss the relationship between merchant and manufacturer in terms of managing the supply chain issues surrounding what is arguably the country’s core building material.

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hilst bricks might not be the most expensive component in a new build, reportedly representing around just 6% of the total cost on average, they are certainly one of the most significant. In the UK they’re the most popular building material, one of the builders’ merchant sector’s staple lines, and they have a huge impact on the finished project.

The increase of smaller, luxury developments — coupled with increasing interest in restoring existing buildings — has led to greater demand for handmade bricks.

With specialist knowledge of local conditions and the requirements of planning and conservation, backed by strong support from the supplier, the merchant is the go-to authority on bricks.

One merchant that is recognising the growing trend of handmade bricks is Grant & Stone. Purchasing Manager Mark Smith explains the success of the merchant’s relationship with Imperial Bricks, with the specialist manufacturer of traditional handmade and reclamation bricks helping the company make the most of a rapidly expanding market.

Securing 14th place in PBM’s most recent ‘Top 20’ merchant countdown, Grant & Stone needs little introduction and especially to its target markets in Central Southern England. With a total of 29 branches covering Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Middlesex, it’s a major independent merchant and operates dedicated branches for heavyside, plumbing, electrical, kitchens and bathrooms, lighting

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and — its latest addition — timber.

Founded 32 years ago, the company is still family-run and can supply ‘everything required to build a house, from the foundations to the final decoration.’ Its eight heavyside branches generate approximately 50% of the business, with handmade bricks from Imperial currently accounting for 10% of its brick sales.

The merchant trades from four counties, each with its own distinctive type of brick. Clay varies from region to region, so local bricks differ widely — even over a few miles, the colour and texture can change dramatically. So, the stockist’s brick range includes Soft Red, Reclamation Soft Red, Georgians, Pre-War Commons and Reclamation Yellows, in both imperial and metric sizes.

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BRICKS, BLOCKS & MASONRY

Mark has been with Grant & Stone for 12 years, and has seen it grow from seven branches to its current size.

He’s seen demand for high quality, handmade bricks increase year-on-year, and he works closely with Imperial.

“Demand is outstripping supply, for even basic bricks and blocks,” Mark explains. “But our customers also want something different, something to set their developments apart from the crowd. That’s what Imperial offers.

It’s not just having a particular product or range that makes something sell — it’s the package of service, training, marketing materials and driving force behind support that makes the difference.”

Alan Kent, Sales Manager at Grant & Stone, cites the back-up his team gets from the supplier and comments: “Imperial helps us provide the right product for our customer. As well as offering in-house training, it’ll send Area Sales Managers out on the road with our sales force if needed.

And the brick matching service is really useful, very beneficial to our business. It speeds up the process and means the customer gets their order in good time.

“Sometimes matching can be done via an emailed photo but often it involves a site

visit from an ASM. They work hard to provide an exact match, often producing several blends for the customer to choose from. Our customers can then be confident that the bricks are exactly right, with no time-consuming on-site blending for the brick layer.”

He continues: “The company also keeps us up-to-date with presentations on products and current lead times, and they have useful point of sale literature we can offer our customers.”

Grant & Stone is a founding member of the National Buying Group, with Mark serving on its Brick Committee. The manufacture was encouraged to join, with Mark saying: “I was always confident there was a deal ready to be done which would benefit all parties. Imperial joined the group and it’s proved a benefit to both companies.”

The supplier’s merchant team provides solutions and services for all types and size of merchant, whether they are brick specialists or general merchants looking to introduce new ranges to their business. Mark said: “Imperial’s team has been very helpful, supporting us proactively from day one — for example, Grant & Stone was one of the

“Demand is outstripping supply, for even basic bricks and blocks. But our customers also want something different, something to set their developments apart from the crowd.” first merchants to organise supplier days, where customers can meet manufacturers and suppliers, and Imperial has sponsored several of them.”

Jason Hughes, Imperial’s Managing Director, added: “Imperial works hard to develop relationships that last and that offer benefits to all parties, so we are proud of our success with customers. Whether it’s accompanying sales staff to advise on brick choices, sending Area Sales Managers on-site to help match bricks or mixing a bespoke colour for the builder, it’s all about support and helping merchants to sell.

“We provide personalised POS displays, brick sample boards and brick display towers which make it easy to show merchant customers the versatility, durability and high quality of handmade bricks. Imperial supplies more than ‘50 Shades of Clay’ from stock, in both imperial and metric dimensions — metric bricks being more suitable for new build as they fit with modern blocks and lintels, while imperial are best suited to extensions or renovation of older properties.

“We also understand the importance of consistent and reliable supply,” ends Jason. “So, we maintain high stock levels to meet demand. Our aim is to make it as easy as possible for our merchant customers to provide the best possible service to their customers.”

■ For more information on Imperial Bricks’ range of products and services, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh004

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BRICKS, BLOCKS & MASONRY

Increasing output It was revealed at Ibstock’s recent Independent Builders’ Merchant Forum that UK brick manufacturing is now seeing its highest output levels since before the 2008 recession. PBM reports.

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he UK is manufacturing the highest number of bricks for the housebuilding, RMI and commercial sectors in over a decade, according to experts at the Independent Builders’ Merchant Forum (IBMF) 2019, hosted by Ibstock. Nearly 100 representatives from the independent merchant sector gathered at the Forest of Arden Hotel in the Midlands for the ‘Best of British’ themed event to hear the latest insights, developments and innovations in the sector.

Addressing delegates at the event, Simon Taylor, Builders Merchants – Director of Sales at Ibstock, commented: “In 2018, UK manufacturers produced over two billion bricks in total, which is the highest production output since before the recession hit in 2008. In 2019, the industry as a whole will be on course to manufacture 2.6 billion bricks as confidence continues to grow. This

sustained growth over the last decade is extremely encouraging for the UK economy and everyone involved in the building sector.

“The private housing sector continues to be a key driver of this growth, particularly with the Government committed to building

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hundreds of thousands of new homes each year and first-time buyer demand being enhanced with the Help to Buy scheme.

Then there’s the strength of the RMI sector, which will continue throughout 2019 and beyond as the UK’s ever growing but aging

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BRICKS, BLOCKS & MASONRY

housing stock will be continually in need of repair and maintenance.”

Following key presentations from Ibstock’s senior team on the state of the nation, guests at the IBMF had the opportunity to hear about the company’s ongoing commitment to providing its customers with a “first class service offering”.

This included the announcement that the business is investing over £25 million over the next few years to further enhance operational and manufacturing capabilities at some of its 38 sites across the UK, as well as make supply chain improvements like the introduction of ‘E-scheduling tools’ and a new interactive product selector.

Visitors to the event also had a first look at Ibstock’s complete new brand identity, which has been introduced to present a more consistent and co-ordinated brand across its product portfolio. This included walling solutions from Ibstock Brick and Ibstock Kevington, concrete roofing solutions from Forticrete and fencing, landscaping and building products from Supreme.

Earlier in the summer, Ibstock also opened a new facility in London for architects and other industry professionals (including those from the merchant sector)

which the company hopes will become a “hub of innovation, inspiration and ingenuity while designing and planning upcoming projects.”

Located in Clerkenwell — billed as “the heart of the capital’s architectural circuit” — the I-Studio enables those visiting the space to meet with the company’s team of

BDA outlines production boost ■ The Brick Development Association says that, with the NHBC reporting the highest number of new home registrations since 2007, “it is good to see brick manufacturers continuing to increase production numbers, ensuring the supply of British-manufactured bricks keeps pace with demand.”

Noting that brick production figures have been consistently rising over recent years, the BDA states that these latest figures — showing a modest but positive 2.2% rise for the first six months of 2019 — demonstrate the result of ongoing investment in the sector.

The BDA’s Tom Farmer said: “In a time where construction output is starting to be affected by uncertainty it is good to see housebuilding remaining buoyant. The pressing need for additional housing should make this sector resilient to economic headwinds over the next quarter and our members are certainly not taking their foot off the accelerator when it comes to investment in UK manufacturing.”

While the number of new housing starts has been relatively subdued in the year to date, the news of a 12% rise in new home registrations over the same period last year is seen as being extremely encouraging.

Tom added: “Manufacturers need certainty in order to invest in new plant. Recent Government moves to encourage affordable and public sector housing, alongside reassurances around the Help to Buy scheme are all supporting a longer-term view that housebuilding volume will be maintained.”

According to the BDA, the 2.2% increase in production volume precisely mirrors the increase in dispatches to site — indicating a focus on efficient stock control and product ordering “that is one characteristic of an industry determined to reduce waste and improve flexibility.”

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designers, view product samples and use innovative visualisation software to see how a future project could look if constructed with Ibstock’s extensive clay brick and concrete building product portfolio.

Using the innovative product selector, architects can select from over 218 brick slips and project their drawings onto the wall to experience the exterior and interior aesthetics with each style of brick, as well as the bond pattern and mortar colour. The I-Studio also features product solutions from the wider group brands such as Forticrete and Supreme.

Returning to the proceedings of the IBMF, Simon concluded: “The merchant sector is vitally important for Ibstock.

Hosting the IBMF 2019 provided the ideal platform to discuss all the latest developments in our industry and look at ways of working together even better so we can all continue to capitalise on the growth opportunities available and share best practice. I’d like to thank all the merchants that attended and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them to take advantage of the increasing demand for bricks in the future.”

■ For more information on Ibstock’s range of products and services, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh0

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BRICKS, BLOCKS & MASONRY

Energy management Achieving better energy efficiency is a key consideration for your customers when they are undertaking renovations, extensions and, especially, new build developments.

Christopher Stanley, Housing Manager at The Concrete Block Association (CBA), outlines some of the key considerations.

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he way we use energy in the home has undergone a huge transformation since the turn of the century. The digital revolution is driving this change and has gifted us tools such as smart meters, with low-carbon energy no longer uncommon in a domestic setting.

A 2016 Energy Savings Trust survey, Connecting with homeowners: making energy efficiency relevant reassures us that public awareness is indeed growing. 90% of those polled had completed a home improvement that included an energy efficiency upgrade.

However, considering the impact of the building materials needs to come before excitement over futuristic gadgets. By all means, let’s incorporate tech, but it’s essential to first understand the importance of the

fabric of the building and the way materials are specified. A solid understanding of energy efficiency enables developers and housebuilders select the most appropriate materials available for a particular build.

Balance is everything A high-performing building envelope is always the first consideration when reducing the energy needed for heating or cooling.

Appropriate insulation, glazing and windows, as well as airtight construction and minimisation of thermal bridges are all necessary. Being flexible with the shape and orientation of the building is not always possible, although they also play a role.

However, balance is everything. A home should not be made overly airtight, as this

“A high-performing building envelope is always the first consideration when reducing the energy needed for heating or cooling.

Appropriate insulation, glazing and windows, as well as airtight construction and minimisation of thermal bridges are all necessary. However, balance is everything.”

36 PBM SEPTEMBER 2019

would result in poorer air quality and lack of moisture control; a certain air change rate is needed. As the EST piece concedes, we have to consider natural energy gains from people, appliances and the sun to rule out overheating.

After the building envelope, ventilation needs to be addressed. In the future we will have smart ventilation controls at our disposal, managing our system for high performance controlled ventilation. They will enable us to reduce energy thrown away with extracted air, therefore minimising energy wastage.

The impact of a thermal bridge Although new build housing has improved dramatically in the last quarter of a century thanks to successive changes to Approved Document Part L, there is more room to optimise. Even with better airtightness and insulation, thermal bridging remains a problem.

Thermal bridges significantly add to heat loss, occurring along the lines of intersection between different elements, for example breaks in insulation. An area where an element with a higher thermal conductivity penetrates the insulation can also create a thermal bridge.

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Up to 30% of a building’s heat loss can be caused by a thermal bridge, and the negative impact is heightened the better the insulation elsewhere in the structure. It’s crucial we pay greater attention to this during the planning stages of a build.

Developers naturally want to find the most economic way to comply with Part L.

To help reduce the overall cost of the build, many of our CBA accredited manufacturers supply thermal bridging details.

Thermal bridging Ψ (Psi) values have to be calculated for specific details. Armed with an understanding of this, developers will be able to select the right product. The details and corresponding independentlycalculated Ψ values for masonry construction are available on the CBA website — enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh005 for details.

U-values: challenging but crucial To ensure the building envelope is high-performance and a house therefore sufficiently energy efficient, it’s crucial to find the appropriate U-value (thermal transmittance) and know how this can be achieved, but the necessary calculation is complex.

Our U-value calculator is simple and free-to-use. It’s aimed specifically at those unfamiliar with how to identify this critical number. It’s highly accurate, and can be used as a starting point even if more detailed calculations are needed.

At the CBA, we’re always researching to find new solutions and tools to benefit the wider construction and housebuilding industry. Our calculator is just one example of our efforts to meet the ever-increasing demands on the industry across the UK.

BRICKS, BLOCKS AND MASONRY

AGGREGATE INDUSTRIES MASTERLITE PRO Aggregate Industries has successfully supplied Masterblock concrete blocks to two prestigious retirement developments including Wixams Retirement Village in Bedford, a £44m scheme to build 230 apartments alongside a range of communal facilities.

For main contractor Galliford Try Partnerships, one of the requirements when building the complex was making it as energy efficient as possible in line with U-value criteria between 0.22-0.23 W/mk, and ensuring a high strength build. Aggregate Industries suggested a solution which achieved the required U value and included the supply of 38,000m² of MasterLite Pro, a lightweight concrete block designed for thermal efficiency and manual handling considerations.

www.rdr.link/mh006

IMPERIAL BRICKS PRESSED AND ENGINEERING BRICKS Following extensive development, Imperial Bricks has introduced a new range of pressed and engineering bricks.

The 3”/75mm bricks — Accrington Smooth Red, Blue Engineering and Manchester Pressed Red — can be used to match existing brickwork or surrounding properties for RMI and new build in the North and Midlands.

Available from stock, the bricks are described as a viable alternative to hard-to-find and expensive reclaims. The company also claims that with extremely low water absorption and high compressive strength, this is a strong and durable brick suitable for all applications, including very exposed conditions.

www.rdr.link/mh007

SAS EUROPE GOMESH Developed to add strength and flexibility to monocouche throughcoloured renders, SAS Europe has launched GoMesh render reinforcement mesh. The product has a pressed weave and an alkaline resistant coating that prevents loss of performance over time, whilst its flexible lattice of woven glass fibre strands is embedded into wet render to help prevent render cracks and give the façade strength and flexibility.

While GoMesh has been developed for use with the GoRend through-coloured one coat render product, the manufacturer says it can reinforce any render with confidence. The firm also offer five grades of ProMesh reinforcing mesh for use in construction.

www.rdr.link/mh008

WEINERBERGER RED MULTI STOCK BRICKS To help satisfy demand for red multi bricks, particularly in the renovation and new build housing markets, Weinerberger has expanded its brick product offering with the launch of two new clay facing bricks, featuring flashing in buff, blue and black tones to add character and create an attractive blend of colours.

The Lingmoor Heather offers a traditional and subtle blend of colours with the clean lines of a modern wirecut brick, making it ideal to fit alongside existing brickwork on renovation projects. In contrast, Capelwick Multi is a moulded stock brick with a soft texture, hearting and dark spotting.

www.rdr.link/mh009

FORTERRA PLANT INVESTMENT The multi-millionpound expansion of Forterra’s Desford plant in Leicestershire will see the facility produce an estimated 180 million bricks a year on completion, with the company claiming that it is set to become the biggest brick factory in Europe as production doubles by 2022.

Enabling the company to ensure that more bricks will be available to the market in the future, Forterra’s Butterly Brick is currently being used by Ginnis New Homes in development of 30 three and four bedroom homes at Deer Park, Derbyshire. Darren Farnan, Marketing Manager at Deer Park, said: “We have been impressed with the quality of Forterra’s Butterley Bricks and, even though work is set to be completed at Deer Park within the next 12 months, we would like to work with Forterra on future projects.”

www.rdr.link/mh010

HANSON MULTICEM PACKAGING Hanson Multicem’s tough paper packaging has turned blue to help customers differentiate between the (blue) paper and (red) plastic bags on offer. The new blue paper bags are said to be 50% stronger than traditional paper cement bags, halving the risk of snags and tears and helping reduce mess and waste.

Multicem is described as a high quality, high performance air-entrained packed cement suitable for use in concrete, mortar, render and screed, and offers improved workability and resistance to frost.

www.rdr.link/mh011

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GARDENS & LANDSCAPING

Whilst only a few months have gone by since Snows Timber completed its MBO, the company is already demonstrating its intent with further investment in its distribution and production facilities alongside the launch of a new composite decking range. PBM reports.

All hands on deck H

aving finalised the Management Buyout of the business from the Bradfords Group back in March, the senior executive team of Snows Timber is continuing to introduce further change and development to the organisation. With its head office in Towcester, the national timber distributor operates sites in Andover and Mansfield with the latter serving as the primary production hub.

Not least because all of Snows Timber’s machined products are milled through the site, the company recognised that further changes need to be implemented in order to keep up with customer demand and to achieve its ambition of being the “Amazon of Timber” — or more simply put, getting product delivered on a 24 hour lead time.

Changes at the Mansfield Distribution Operational hours have been increased at Snows Timber’s primary hub at Mansfield to meet customer demand

40 PBM SEPTEMBER 2019

Centre have included an increase in its operational hours to pick and mill more products. Adjusting the shift patterns on site has increased the capacity to pick and mill more orders, meaning they can be turned around on shorter lead times.

The company says that such a change in operation has been long awaited, and whilst there will be a period of catching up with current high demand, the full benefits should be felt by its customers by the end of the year through a distinct improvement in product availability and delivery.

Whilst Snows has built up a reputation for its quality softwood decking, importing an overall total of more than 150,000 cubic metres of sawn softwood each year, the company has chosen to complement its range with a capped composite decking option through a new partnership with US manufacturer AZEK Building Products to introduce the TimberTech brand into its range.

Made with a mix of wood particles and recycled plastic, TimberTech is said to provide a product that looks like natural wood but is more sustainable, longer-lasting, and low-maintenance. Immediately available to order, the range will include a 4-sided capped composite from the TimberTech

PRO line of decking which is described as offering more protection than its 3-sided capped composite alternatives.

The premium offering, meanwhile, has what Snows declares is a market leading a 30-Year Limited Product Warranty and 30-Year Fade & Stain Warranty. For customers electing the Terrain Collection, maximum protection and coverage is offered through the use of ‘Mold Guard Technology’.

Ian Church, MD of Snows Timber, explained: “We are pleased to complement our range with a product that has seen real growth in recent years. We have listened to our customers and believe that adding this high-quality composite to our offering will ensure they can get all of their decking products in one place and help them meet the needs of their customers.”

■ For more information on Snows Timber’s range of products and services, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh012

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GARDENS & LANDSCAPING Homeowners are increasingly looking for products that provide practical yet aesthetically pleasing options for their home. Graham Barton, Key Accounts Manager at ACO Building + Landscape, discusses how merchants can capitalise on this increasing trend, and help builders deliver both style and function to outdoor projects using exterior drainage.

Style and function W

ith more homeowners than ever aspiring to achieve their dream garden, many builders and landscapers are turning to their local merchant for advice on how they can create an outdoor space that their customers can enjoy spending time in. While drainage may not be at the forefront of homeowner’s minds when designing a garden, it’s vital that effective surface water management is considered throughout the project.

Landscaping accessories are a valuable and profitable asset thanks to the increasingly popularity of using a garden as an extension of the home entertainment space, and this should not be overlooked by merchants.

The downpour of rain during June, for example, caused numerous flash floods throughout the UK. With this in mind, it goes without saying that we should be implementing effective exterior surface water management systems in order to ensure the longevity of garden spaces and buildings.

Careful consideration of drainage will prevent rainwater collecting and potentially causing damage to the structural integrity of a property, whilst also allowing gardens and patio areas to drain water freely to avoid long-term damage associated with excess standing water.

Aesthetic ambition Desirable properties offer outdoor spaces where homeowners can entertain guests, or sit outside and enjoy being in an aesthetically-pleasing landscape. In fact, some figures suggest that a well-maintained garden can increase a property’s value by up to 20%. Indeed, many housebuilders and homeowners are willing to treat it with the same aesthetic ambition as traditional entertainment spaces, such as the lounge, kitchen and dining room.

The range of aesthetic drainage solutions have vastly improved in recent years, and homeowners are quickly becoming aware of

the options open to them. For merchants, including a variety of channel drainage options in different materials and finishes as an optional upgrade for customers not only helps secure the sale, but also offers an opportunity to make extra margin.

Moreover, profit can be far greater on high-end finishes compared with a standard plastic or galvanised steel grating.

The ‘Complete the Look’ offering from ACO is one such grating package which merchants can use to upsell the finishing touch to contractors. Available in a variety of finishes, including Polished Stainless Steel, ATec coated Intercept and Mosaic cast iron, Stainless Steel Wedge Wire and Anthracite, all gratings are compatible with ACO’s HexDrain and RainDrain channels.

They can add an aesthetic finish to any garden or patio improvement project, and retain its professionally-finished look and

“For merchants, including a variety of channel drainage options in different materials and finishes as an optional upgrade for customers not only helps secure the sale, but also offers an opportunity to make extra margin.” www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

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feel for a number of years.

Further to the idea that homeowners and property developers are now keen to use gardens as an extra space for entertainment, there is a rise in demand for outdoor paving designs that consider appearance, such as porcelain patio tiles. Porcelain tiles provide a cost-effective alternative to natural stone paving whilst still giving a trendy finish to an outdoor space.

Homeowners may assume that these

tiles are easy to maintain, as they are marketed as durable and weatherresistant — however, without appropriate drainage this may not be the case. It’s important to ensure that porcelain tiles, for example, are fitted with an appropriate drainage solution to prevent damage from water pooling and keep surface runoff to a minimum.

This is where an expansive assortment of exterior products can really benefit merchants — a range of bespoke threshold drainage solutions can be offered to builders, helping them improve garden drainage, while also enhancing the overall appearance.

New products such as ACO’s Threshold Drain range create a slimline doorway

drainage system which is ideally suited for use around property entrances and patios as it is both stylish and efficient. The system can be easily fitted into any landscaping project thanks to its additional system connection and corner unit pieces, making it a great asset to any builder who may be working with unique garden layouts.

Essentially, drainage can now offer both practical and aesthetic benefits and merchants play an important role in providing the right advice and range of stock to meet the needs of every project. Whilst water management systems have traditionally been viewed as a commodity product, a keen awareness of the market trends gives merchants real opportunities to upsell more stylish finishes and increase their profit margin.

■ For more information on ACO’s range of domestic drainage solutions, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh013

GARDENS & LANDSCAPING

Before

After

Grout and resin staining on porcelain paving can ruin an installation

Mark Atkins, Technical Director at LTP, examines the additional considerations associated with the rise in popularity of porcelain paving and outlines a number of link selling opportunities for merchants.

Protect and serve I

t has been pretty incredible to see the rise of the porcelain paver this year as domestic and contract customers have really embraced these new tiles. They do bring lots of benefits in terms of their many practical features, with their durability and non-absorbency both big benefits outdoors, whilst the new textured finishes also make them a lot more practical.

However, like all new trends, they bring new challenges.

The main issues relate to residues. When fitters are using a brush-in jointing compound, it is very important to keep the surface of these tiles as wet as possible so that any residue can be easily wiped away.

Porcelain tiles can dry out quite quickly, causing an element of the resin within the compound to cling to the surface. The textured nature of most external porcelains also makes it more difficult to apply grouts and jointing compounds.

Keeping the surface wetter for longer helps to improve and increase the working time of grouts and jointing compounds — and greatly reduces the possibility of grout and resin staining. Dried-on jointing compound can be difficult to remove and the residue left can ruin an installation.

In response, LTP has developed two new products for unpolished porcelain. Our new Porcelain Tile Protector is applied before grouting and, once it has dried, it helps with

cement and jointing compound release. This water-based treatment is designed to protect tiles from staining, and allow the easy removal of residues of cement-based grouts and twopart resin based jointing compounds, as well as stubborn organic matter.

Suitable for textured wood and stoneeffect patios, the product creates a barrier, without forming a film or altering appearance. This helps to improve and increase the working time of grouts and jointing compounds — and greatly reduces the risk of cement and resin staining.

The new protector is easy to apply and can be done with a spray, roller or brush.

Once residues have been removed — and the surface is dry — a further coat can be applied to the tiles and joints to help assist with future cleaning and aftercare. LTP Porcelain Tile Protector is manufactured by the firm in the UK and is available in one litre and five litre bottles.

For surfaces that have been stained, the company’s new acid replacement Cement, Grout and Salt Residue Remover can also turn back the clock for cement stains. The new solution replaces conventional acids normally used to remove cement and grout residues, and can be used on all types of tile and natural stone surfaces, except those with a polished finish.

This means it can be safely applied to unpolished acid-sensitive surfaces, including

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limestone and travertine. As well as removing new and existing building residues, the new treatment also disperses Image courtesy rising salt residues caused by issues of Siniat including substrate moisture and spot fixing.

Developed and manufactured in the UK, the new Residue Remover can be used outside (and indoors) on porcelain, glazed ceramics, quarry tiles and terracotta, slate, brick, sandstone, granite and unpolished natural stone. A diluted application removes mild residue within 30 minutes, whilst a neat application and agitation gives instant results.

Deposits are then removed and surfaces rinsed with clean water. Part of LTP’s ‘cleanseal-maintain’ range, it is available in one litre and five litre cartons and gives coverage of approx. 5-25m2 per litre.

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GARDENS & LANDSCAPING

Other complementary treatments include LTP Grimex — a heavy-duty intensive cleaner that can be used before application of the Protector — and LTP Porcelain Floor Tile Cleaner, which is a highly effective norinse aftercare cleaner for indoor and outdoor spaces.

In addition to new developments in the product range, aftercare education is also very important. We’re routinely recommending that customers don’t stop at the bi-folds when

they’re cleaning porcelain that’s installed from inside to out. They need to keep going and mop the patio too! This greatly reduces the need for intensive cleaning outdoors — although we also have various eco-friendly options, should the need arise!

Elsewhere in the range, if dark natural stone and artificial stone surfaces have been installed, then tradespeople should turn to LTP’s new outdoor sealer and restorer, Blackstone. Available in 250ml, one litre and

five litre units, its waterbased, impregnating formulation restores the appearance of faded limestone, marble, slate and concrete.

The solution can be applied in multiple coats until the desired colour effect is achieved — from grey to ebony. On honed surfaces, it is applied with a cloth or sealant applicator and, on rough cut/textured surfaces, with a foam roller or paintbrush. It is then ‘cut back’ to remove excess. Surfaces can be walked on four hours after the final application and can be returned to ‘heavy use’ after 24 hours. ■For information on LTP’s range of products and services, enter the shortcode www.rdr link/mh

GARDENS AND LANDSCAPING BOND IT 3 IN 1 WOOD TREATMENT

KÄRCHER EASY!FORCE TRIGGER GUN In an attempt to combat repetitive strain injury in the workplace, Kärcher has released the EASY!Force Trigger Gun, on which the trigger is located at the back of the handle. The recoil force of the water jet automatically presses the trigger into the palm, contributing to stress-free and effortless use.

In addition, the activation lever is pressed only once to start the pressure washer, meaning that less holding force is required for continual use. According to the manufacturer, the new design will aid in relieving the strain on the fingers, hand and arm muscles by a considerable degree.

www.rdr.link/mh014

To add to its Drive Alive range, Bond It has launched 3 in 1 Wood Treatment — a microemulsion universal wood preserver that is said to kill active woodworm and termites whilst protecting against re-infestation and wood rot. According to the company, the product’s formula is based on a combination of fungicide and insecticide formulations and contains zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs), whilst remaining water-based, non-flammable and quick drying.

The preserver is based on a combination of fungicide and insecticide formulations and is certified to European and British Industry standards.

www.rdr.link/mh015

VERONA AL FRESCO Providing an alternative to flagstones and decking, Verona has launched its new Al Fresco collection. With a neutral colour palette from cool grey through to warm beige, the range offers a 20mm thick premium porcelain for outdoor use, 10mm indoor tiles, and a selection of finishes including travertine, concrete designs and wood-effects.

Each stone-effect is available in either a large square or rectangular format, with the wood-effect porcelain tiles available in a traditional plank size, all with a matt finish.

The 20mm outdoor tiles have an R11 slip rating, while the 10mm indoor tiles are R9 or R10.

The collection comes with a 10 year guarantee and is said to be fade resistant.

www.rdr.link/mh016

POSTSAVER SLEEVED POSTS Postsaver reports that distributor Snows Timber has been “very pleased” with the results of selling the company’s Sleeved Posts since taking on the product in May, citing “exceptional” sales and demand. With the trial run demonstrated the potential for even more growth in future, Gerard Dickinson, Head of Commercial at Snows Timber, said that the pre-sleeved posts “offer end users enhanced savings over the life of the fence while also widening the opportunity for better margins for our merchant customers.”

This success has cemented Postsaver’s Sleeved Posts as a part of Snow’s core fencing range and the company is now said to be considering ordering a new Pro-Shrink machine from the supplier to increase its output — operating from a single-phase supply, this electric machine is capable of sleeving up to 180 posts/hour, ensuring Snows can “easily keep up with demand.”

www.rdr.link/mh017

TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES

Seal the deal M

any of you may be familiar with the tools, accessories and consumables distributor Toolbank. Founded in 1972, it offers over 30,000 products from 250 national and international brands, supplying their product ranges through an extensive network of trade and industrial merchants, buying groups, online retailers, garden centres as well as specialist and general DIY and hardware stores.

Very much a brand and identity in its own right, Toolbank’s Real Deals for You campaign was born in 1986 and allows the

distributor’s 14,000+ stockists to take advantage of a promotion that promises to deliver products at the best possible value, reinforced by in-store point of sale packs, brochures, end-user advertising and social media, in addition to a dedicated website.

Badged up as a Christmas promotion, the campaign has proven popular with stockists as a great way to take advantage of this busy seasonal period, and create a buzz and opportunity in store that customers can really get behind.

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Toolbank’s Real Deals for You has returned for another year, and the firm promises that this year’s Christmas 2019 promotion will be “bigger and better than ever before”. Kelly Newstead reports.

Starting in September the theme for this years’ promotion is ‘Where the Magic is Made’ and promises to have many tricks up its sleeve in terms of deals, POS support and a whole host of digital assets. The theme has been chosen because of its diversity and allows the advertising and marketing support to be connected through one common area while still allowing it to spin off into multiple directions… and of course allows for a bit of fun!

The promotion will include many wellknown brands such as Stanley, Faithful, Hultafors, Bahco, Wera, Milwaukee and DeWalt. Relying on customer and supplier

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TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES

Nikki continued: “You won’t be able to miss us in-store — every Real Deals for You Approved Stockist receives a free marketing pack to create impactful displays and a presence in-store, online and in print, helping customers find what you’re looking for.”

Advertising For an extra price, stockists will also be able to take advantage of personalised ‘TV adverts’. There is a mix of 12 adverts available which can be tailored for a company’s own use and can include a company logo and website, for example.

These bespoke ads can then be uploaded onto YouTube as well as other digital advertising platforms. This is again to help get the message of the promotion across to customers and further drive sales in store.

Real Deals for You will also be running its own social media campaigns on the promotion to generate further custom. This will include a combination of text and image posts along with a range of Facebook carousel posts.

feedback to ensure constant evolution, offers are constantly refreshed for the duration of the promotional period to deliver stockists with the most valued products to maximise their own sales.

Marketing Manager, Nikki White, explained: “This year the ‘Magic’ of Real Deals for You Christmas promotion features 89 best-in-class products — with new and exclusive lines, a selection of popular favourites and some real industry winners!

“Tailored to meet the needs of the professional, Real Deals for You offers fantastic tools and accessories at great prices for every task and trade. It’s the only campaign in the industry to offer such a vast selection of products from leading manufacturers.”

Support To help its thousands of stockists promote Real Deals for You in store, a range of

54 PBM SEPTEMBER 2019

marketing support tools will be on offer to help spread the message and provide useful information on what is involved in the promotion.

For example, the Point of Sale Pack is completely free to all participating stockists and includes a wide range of supporting material. This includes 500 x 20 A4 promotional leaflets which detail the product ranges included in the offer. At an extra cost, stockists can also choose to personalise their leaflets, which Real Deals for You states adds a significant benefit.

Retail and trade price ticket sheets are also included, which can be distributed around stockists to ensure prices are clearly labelled, as well as highlighting which particular products are involved in the promotion. Large free-standing displays, weatherproof PVC banners, cut case stickers, shelf strips, till wobblers and A2 counter mats are also being made available.

Competitions In addition, the campaign period will also feature both end-user and stockist-focused competitions to encourage participation as well as inspire its merchant partners to go the extra mile in terms of their displays.

The familiar annual display competition will return once again, but this year will see three separate competitions for stockists — these will be ‘Best Window Display’, ‘Best In-store Display’ and ‘Best Initiative for Marketing Real Deals for You’, the latter being the new element for 2019. Prizes available will range from an Apple iPad for first place, Nespresso CitiZ & Milk for second place and a Google Home Mini for third place.

Competitions for customers will also be running, including the chance for them to scoop tickets to Alton Towers by simply buying anything involved in this year’s promotion.

■ For more information on the 2019 Real Deals for You promotion from Toolbank, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh018

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES

Cutting the cord Earlier in the summer, Bosch Power Tools hosted an ‘innovation day’ at its UK head office in Denham. Amongst discussion of the latest news from the company and insight into its training provision for merchants and professional users alike, a number of new product updates were revealed — including the expansion of the firm’s 18V cordless range. PBM reports.

S

aid to offer the best of “corded power with the freedom of cordless”, Bosch has expanded its 18V cordless range into tool classes “once thought beyond the reach of battery-powered equipment.”

Indeed, the models in the ‘BITURBO’ range combine what the company describes as its best motor with its best battery system — the ProCORE18V — to produce “enough power to tackle the heaviest applications”.

The manufacturing giant — established in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch as a “Workshop for precision mechanics and electrical engineering” and operating in the UK since 1898 — says that its latest saws, rotary hammers and angle grinders are now more powerful than all previous Bosch cordless products, and give the equivalent performance to corded tools rated between 1000 and 1800W. The key to their increased capabilities is “optimum co-ordination between a specially developed brushless high-performance motor, advanced electronics and highpowered Bosch ProCORE18V battery packs.” This is said to allow full use to be made of the battery system’s potential to drive and maintain high currents for more power-intensive applications.

With just one compact 8 or 12Ah capacity ProCORE18V battery, Bosch claims that the BITURBO models are as powerful as competitor machines requiring two batteries. This, in turn, gives the added advantage of reducing tool weight and size for easier handling.

Furthermore, as part of the Bosch Professional 18V System, BITURBO tools — along with their batteries and chargers — are fully compatible with all others in the company’s 18V range.

In addition to their high power, the new products have also been designed to offer high professional specifications. All but one of them can be fitted with a Bosch connectivity module, which opens up the possibility of remote adjustment, data transmission and many other benefits. Most also have an on-board user interface whose interactive display speeds up adjustments and keeps the user informed of tool status, including battery charge level and temperature. Electronic safety systems

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include Kickback Control on the rotary hammers and angle grinders.

Highlights from the range include the first appearance of cordless SDS-max rotary hammers. Three models are available and, for compact size, the GBH 18V-36 C Professional BITURBO Rotary Hammer leads the SDS-max segment. According to the company, the tool delivers performance worthy of a 1000W corded tool.

With impact energy of 12.5 J, the low weight GBH 18V-45 C model is said to match the powerful 1500W corded GBH 845 DV model, but it is lighter even with a ProCORE18V 12Ah battery in place.

Judged against a comparable 1800W corded model, Bosch says that the GKS 18V68 GC Professional BITURBO Hand-held

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TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES

Circular Saw is 15% quicker and — with the 8Ah battery — 225g lighter. Its bow-shaped front handle design is intended to provide a comfortable and controlled grip in any position and easier, safer movement, even for mitre cuts.

Cutting depth can be set easily at the touch of a button, with an increased maximum of 68mm. User interface and connectivity functions include adjusting

speed and selecting the ‘eco mode’ to extend runtime by up to 30%. In total, four saws form part of the new line-up.

The four Angle Grinders in the range — GWS 18V-15 C, GWX 18V-15 C, GWS 18V-15 SC and GWX 18V-15 SC — compare favourably with the firm’s 1500W corded tools. In addition, Bosch says that when tested against its most powerful cordless angle grinder previously available, they cut up to 50% faster.

As well as Kickback Control, their safety aids include Drop Control, braking functions, Soft Start, Restart Protection and an auxiliary handle with vibration damping.

GWX models also feature the Bosch XLOCK keyless accessory-change system.

Introduced earlier in the year, X-LOCK is designed to ensure faster and easier changes,

with no spanner, nut or flange to get lost.

Described as a “genuinely tool-less alternative,” all users have to do is bring the accessory and grinder connecting surfaces into contact and press. A reassuring ‘click’ sound confirms they are firmly locked whilst to remove a disc, all users have to do is flick a lever on the grinder.

Bosch says that changeovers can be completed in five seconds — which is five times faster than normal — and can even be done whilst wearing gloves. A comprehensive range of more than 130 X-LOCK accessories is said to cover everything from metalwork and stonework to plumbing, tiling and other cutting and grinding tasks. Almost all of these can also be used on older, non-X-LOCK angle grinders with conventional clamping systems.

■ For more information on Bosch’s range of products and services, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh019

TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES

Foiled again E

nvironmental issues are now dominating the news agenda, and the construction sector has not escaped scrutiny. It is reported that the levels of carbon dioxide emissions from the UK construction industry saw an overall increase from 8.9 million metric tons in 1990 to 13 million metric tons in 2017.

Reportedly, this amounts to approximately 3% of the total carbon dioxide emissions in the UK for that year.

Behind this staggering figure there also lies a myriad of waste and pollution issues, which ultimately need to be tackled. Recent figures on plastic waste in the construction industry make for shocking reading. Some 23% of the total plastic consumed in the UK

comes from our sector, with 20,000 tonnes of plastic being sent to landfill every year.

Furthermore, it is estimated that over two million single use plastic cartridges are put into landfill every week in the UK. Plastics are finding their way into our seas and oceans, and of those plastics that are sent to landfill, some take over a thousand years to breakdown in the soil. There is little doubt that the construction sector and its product suppliers need to take action — and recent research also suggests the trade is in general agreement that change is necessary.

For example, Insulation Express found that 95% of construction professionals admit that the industry needs to reduce its plastic use and single use plastic packaging is

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It is estimated over two million single use plastic sealant cartridges are put into landfill every week. Scarlet McAleese-Banks, Marketing Director of Hilton Banks, explains why her company’s move away from single use plastics is a timely one. certainly one area that should be acted on sooner rather than later.

As a result, Hilton Banks is listening to the trade and working to tackle the pressing environmental problem of disposing of the single use plastic cartridge. With the impact on the environment in mind, the company has launched the HB42 All-in-One Sealant

“It is estimated that over two million single use plastic cartridges are put into landfill every week in the UK.”

PBM SEPTEMBER 2019 61

TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES

and Adhesive in 400ml foils as the ‘Eco-Foil’ removes the environmental problem of disposing of the single use plastic cartridge normally associated with sealants and other similar products.

The 400ml foils produce 95% less waste than the single use tubes and users get 38% more sealant than in the 290ml plastic tube.

Using the latest MS Polymer technology, the product seals, sticks and fills, is flexible up to 230%, can be over-painted and works in the wet. It is low in volatile organic

compounds (VOCs) and bonds to almost anything as well as being food safe, fully curing in 24 hours.

The foils are very durable, and the guns are easy to use, remaining extremely clean throughout their use. They also will take a plastic sealant cartridge so can still be used with every type of sealant, if required.

Furthermore, at the end of their life, the waste left over from foils is tiny compared to the plastic tubes and the foils are also much easier to dispose of. There are therefore cost benefits to be had for your customers from moving away from single use plastics — for example, with HB42 Eco-Foils producing 95% less waste, the amount of skip space or waste disposal is greatly reduced.

Hilton Banks cares about the environment and although construction products have to be strong and durable, we are always looking at ways to reduce our

Facts and figures: ● ●

●

●

●

Using foils can reduce waste by 95% The HB42 Eco-Foils are “resilient and durable” Store easily in the back of vans and toolboxes 38% more sealant than in the 290ml tubes The formulation is “super strong, but low in VOCs”

impact on the environment. To demonstrate our commitment and to encourage sales of the new foils for every case of 12 foils purchased, for a limited time a foil sealant gun will be available for merchants to give away to their customers.

■ For more information on HB42’s range of products and services, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh020

TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES

Dectectorists T

he unit cost of our devices is much less than having to remedy the damage caused by drilling through a metal pipe or a cable,” explains Zircon’s Andy Vaughan, neatly summarising the key advantage of the company’s range of electronic stud finder devices. In a competitive market, the firm — with its global HQ in ‘the heart of Silicon Valley’ in Northern California — commands a sizeable market share and sold over three million units worldwide last year.

The company has been engaged in the UK for over a decade and has an established customer base across the domestic tool, hardware and home improvement sectors.

Listed with well-known companies in the electrical wholesale market such as CEF, the firm also has a presence in a number of merchants and is in discussions with nationals, independents and buying groups to expand its reach.

In March last year, having previously been sold through distribution, the US parent corporation established a UK ‘affiliate’ to increase its domestic footprint and a more active ‘local presence’. Headed up by the experienced Andy Vaughan, the

“

company’s sales operation is based out of St. Ives, Cambridgeshire and supported by 3PL warehousing facilities in Nottinghamshire.

The move allows the company to have full control over its routes to market, and ensure its broad range of products is sold through the appropriate channels. As Andy explained at the UK operation’s launch: “The UK is a fast-growing and dynamic region within both the DIY and contractor trade marketplace. Zircon Corporation Ltd is committed to expanding international availability of Zircon products and providing UK customers with the correct products to complete their projects, whether DIY or professional in nature.”

The company’s L series of products are designed for the trade / merchant channel, with Andy describing the MultiScanner L550c OneStep model as the multipurpose ‘trade workhorse’ of the range. The unit ‘vibrantly’ locates studs, metal, and live AC electrical wiring behind walls, floors, and ceilings with the advanced ColorTrip display lighting green in stud scan, blue in metal,

Stud detection devices enable trade users to save time on the job by eliminating what could be costly mistakes. For merchants, they can represent an ideal upselling opportunity at the trade counter. PBM speaks to Andy Vaughan, Zircon’s UK Sales Director, to find out more. and red in live AC scan.

The screen flashes, or lights red, to alert the presence of live AC in Stud, DeepScan, and Metal Scan modes, while a 4-mode switch makes it easy to change modes.

Stud Scan mode locates the centre, edges, and direction of wood or metal studs up to 19mm deep; Deep Scan mode doubles the scanning depth to 38mm deep; Metal Scan mode locates non-ferrous metal, such as copper pipe, up to 38mm deep, and ferrous metal such as rebar up to 76mm deep; and AC Scan mode locates live, unshielded AC electrical wiring up to 51 mm deep.

Display units, including options with working samples, are available to merchants to support sales whilst the product packaging features QR codes which link through to YouTube videos that explain the key features and benefits.

■ For more information on Zircon’s range of products, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh021

TOOLS, FIXING & ADHESIVES

On your marks John Dabb, Sales and Marketing Director at Hyde, considers the options for industrial markers.

I

ndustrial markers don’t take up too much counter space and, as well as being an essential piece of kit for tradespeople, are often also a handy add-on purchase that can quickly escalate the value of the average sale. But with so many to choose from, it isn’t possible for merchants to stock all of them.

So how do you tell the difference between the potential high-flyers and those that may just gather dust and remain unsold? And how do you persuade customers that the investment of an industrial marker is worth it and not to simply settle for a general office marker instead?

The initial step is to go right back to basics and consider what your customers want from an industrial marker — what they will be using the product for and the qualities that they would consider to be must-haves. Nail these and your counters won’t be staying full for long.

While the temptation among tradespeople may be to make do with two or three markers

as their version of an all-rounder, these are unlikely to suit all the applications all of the time. Rather, the type needed will largely depend on the surface being marked — for example, whether it is oily, wet, rusty or dirty.

Equally, the efficiency of a project may rely on being able to see certain areas marked and may involve extreme temperatures, either very cold or very hot, all of which will render an office marker inadequate in no time.

Because industrial markers are in demand with very specific qualities, they are available not just in ink, but also in paint. The strength of the marker’s colour also can make a difference on the job whilst some marks may need to remain seen until washed off and this requires specific ink or paint too.

Offering real paint in a barrel, the different tips of liquid paint markers include metal ball and felt tip. The pigment-based paint dries to leave bright, visible marks.

Alternatively, solid paint markers offer the durability of paint, in a convenient crayon form which is ideal for rough surfaces.

One of the most common forms of industrial marker, used for everyday tasks and a wide range of surfaces is the ink marker.

These dry quickly and are available with a variety of tips, from fine tips, bullet, medium chisel or broad chisel tips.

Finding the correct marker for the tasks at hand starts with thinking of the markers as the tools that they are — it doesn’t make sense to carry around only one type of screwdriver, and the same can be said for industrial markers. In an ideal world, customers will opt for a few of each type in their tool bag, but may not initially realise the importance of doing so.

For merchants, knowing the main differences between the various type of industrial marker will help customers make an informed choice and ultimately mean selling more products.

■ For more information on Hyde’s line-up of industrial markers, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh022

TOOLS, FIXINGS AND ADHESIVES

HEXSTONE DUCK FOOT ANCHOR Available exclusively in the UK from Hexstone, the Duck Foot anchor has been billed (excuse the pun…) as the most effective plasterboard fixing in the world and has been named “the innovation of the future” by the jury of the Alfred Nobel ‘SKAPA’ award.

The product itself is a patented self-drilling drywall fixing that is said to be easy and quick to install, and can hold up to 50kg of shear load weight from one anchor. Providing a reliable and secure fixing, it is able to handle a substantial amount of weight from a single fixing whilst the self-drilling concept is described as making it an easy option when looking to affix items to hollow stud plasterboard walls (single or double layer).

Said to be as simple as ‘drill, push, attach — done!’, the innovative shape and style of the fixing only makes a 12mm hole in the wall, which helps to protect the plasterboard, and makes any hole filling thereafter quicker and easier whilst offering an advantage over products which require larger diameter holes.

Duck Foot is available in packs of 8 and 25, which are tamper-proof, waterproof, and re-sealable.

www.rdr.link/mh023

SNICKERS WORKWEAR ALLROUNDWORK STRETCH TROUSERS To achieve on-site mobility, Snickers workwear has introduced loose Allroundwork stretch trousers which feature a hi-tech stretch fabric and ergonomic design to ensure close quarter mobility at work.

As well as a classic workwear look and feel, the trousers have stretch Cordura for increased durability as well as improved ventilation and comfort.

www.rdr.link/mh024

HYDE BORA SPEEDHORSE Designed for flexibility in a wide range of environments, Hyde has launched the Bora Speedhorse.

According to the distributor, the Speedhorse takes just 1.6 seconds to set up and the unit is able to bear weight up to 680kg (1500lb).

Standing at 2.5ft (76cm), the Bora Speedhorse offers a longer beam for a wider support area and leg supports that can be flipped out to take the weight of boards, doors, plywood and other sheet material.

When the job is finished simply pull the lever and fold the legs up — in any order.

www.rdr.link/mh026

PURDY BENT POLE SCRAPER AND CARBIDE SCRAPER Featuring an angled blade, Purdy has unveiled a Bent Pole Scraper to avoid the scraped knuckles that using a straight scraper can cause.

The Bent Pole Scraper can be used by hand or, if necessary, is compatible with the Purdy Powerlock Extension Pole. According to the company, the heavy-duty handles ensure no snapping whilst a rustresistant three inch stainless steel blade also ensures longevity.

For those occasions when extra power is required, the heavy duty Carbide Scraper has also been recently launched. Replacement blades are available separately and come with a Purdy lifetime guarantee.

www.rdr.link/mh025

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

PBM SEPTEMBER 2019 69

TOOLS, FIXINGS AND ADHESIVES KNIPEX PROTECTIVE JAW COVERS For sensitive work pieces Knipex has launched 86 09 250 V01 Protective Jaw Covers. Designed for the Knipex Pliers Wrench (2018 models onwards) in the 250mm length, the covers are lightweight and the zero backlash jaw pressure is intended to prevent damage to the edges of sensitive components. Made from plastic and with a soft, smooth gripping surface, the covers can be used on any delicate surface.

Coming in a pack of three sets of covers, these protective jaws will allow users to work without damaging surfaces prone to scratching.

www.rdr.link/mh027

HIKOKI 36V SLIDE COMPOUND MITRE SAWS Complete with laser guide system and LED worklights, HiKOKI has released the cordless C3607DRA 36V slide compound mitre saw (185mm blade) and the C3610DRA 36V slide compound mitre saw (255mm blade).

The C3607DRA 36V slide compound mitre saw allows the user to make bevel cuts up to 45° left and right and mitre cuts up to 45° left and 57° right. It is also said to make up to 320 cuts per charge. The C3610DRA 36V slide compound mitre saw, meanwhile, can make up to 374 cuts per charge. Bevel cuts can be made up to 55° left and 60° and mitre cuts up to 48° left and right.

www.rdr.link/mh028

NORTON CLIPPER CM35 MINI MASONRY SAW Suitable for cutting at ground level, Norton Clipper’s CM35 mini masonry saw is ergonomically designed to be compact and lightweight. With no legs and weighing just 40kg (88lbs) and measuring around 30% smaller than other masonry saws in the Norton Clipper range, the CM35 is a portable machine that the firm claims performs just as well as its larger counterparts.

The CM35 is electric and features an extraction port to minimise dust during use. Wet cutting is also an option with the Mini Clipper, as it is easily plugged into an external water supply.

www.rdr.link/mh029

GEOCEL PAINTERS MATE Suitable for use both internally and externally on a wide range of surfaces, Geocel has launched Painters Mate — a decorator’s filler that the company says requires no sanding and is over paintable in one hour.

To prevent mildew and mould growth, Painters Mate has a fungicide incorporated in the formulation. Available in brilliant white, brown and magnolia finishes in 310ml cartridges, Painters Mate is also available in eco-friendly ecoSEAL foil sausage packs to reduce single-use plastic sent to landfill.

BOND IT WP100 OXIME SILICONE

Available in various sizes and finishes, Marshalltown has launched the 16" Gold Stainless Steel Finishing Trowel. The trowel features the company’s new patented DuraCork handle which is textured and tacky for added grip and durability.

The blade measures 16 by 5" and is, according to the distributor, manufactured from the “highest grade hardened and tempered golden stainless steel”.

This product is designed for use by plasterers, bricklayers, drywallers and other builders.

To add to its range of LMN products, Bond It has added the WP100 Oxime Silicone formulation as a bigger, 400ml cartridge. Available in 7 colours: white, anthracite, buff, black, brick red, dark anthracite and mid grey for matching to an array of profiles, this exterior silicone is for use on PVC-U window and door frame installations, and is said to offer rapid curing and excellent adhesion properties.

It is certified low Meko and contains additional PVC-U adhesion promoters, meaning sealing jobs can be completed in a shorter time.

www.rdr.link/mh031

www.rdr.link/mh032

www.rdr.link/mh030

ROLLINS MARSHALLTOWN 16" GOLD STAINLESS STEEL FINISHING TROWEL

70 PBM SEPTEMBER 2019

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

Counter…

Use PBM’s unique insight into the builders and contractors to make FREE

For over 40 years, Professional Builder magazine has been the favoured publication of the building trade. The mag is a vital link between the sector’s manufacturers, merchants and the trade itself, as readers can check out all the latest industry news, feature articles and product tests — in addition to a host of giveaways and competitions.

With its unique distribution mechanism of pick-up via the trade counters of the nation’s leading builders’ merchants, PB readers are actively looking for info on the latest product innovations to help them complete the job at hand — purchasing the materials from their favourite stockist.

PBM takes a closer look at some of the stand-out products from the latest issue.

TO

THE TRAD E

Professional BUILDING ■ FLOO RING ■ PLUMBING ■ CARP ENTRY ■ ROOFING ■ DECO RATIN G ■

PAINT ING AND THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR THE BUILDING INDUSTR Y

NEW & SELF BUILD

JULY/AUGUST 2019

HAPPY ‘LANDING S’!

EVERBUILD EB25 SEALANT AND ADHESIVE Launched with a flourish to mark the company’s ’25 years of expertise’ in the sector, Everbuild’s EB25 combines flexibility with bond strength by using a unique polymer blend. Suitable for use both indoors and outdoors, the manufacturer claims the solution can be used on virtually any material in most weather conditions and can even be used underwater.

Once cured, the product is resistant to mould, temperature extremes and chemicals. www.rdr.link/mh033

KITCHENS & BATHROOM

S MORE PROFITS ON TAP!

ROLLING OUT THE GOOD TIMES WITH ISOVER’S METAC GLASS MINERAL WOOL INSULATIO N

CROMAR BUILDING PRODUCTS LIQUID ROOFING SYSTEM A new roofing system from Cromar has been created to resolve the time-consuming issue roofers face of having to strip back roofs before applying a liquid system. The styrene-free Flexiglass System can be applied onto roofing felt, asphalt, single ply membranes, metals and existing liquid applied systems.

The product is UV stable, storm proof, frost proof, impact resistant and foot trafficable. www.rdr.link/mh034

Beyond this, the link between PBM and its sister publication means that, each month, we can tap into this relationship to bring merchants real-world insight into the buying habits of your trade customers along with the sales messages and current campaigns of trade suppliers.

72 PBM SEPTEMBER 2019

NORBORD MDF RANGE Claiming one of the most comprehensive ranges of MDF products currently available, Norbord’s CaberWood range of Medium Density Fibreboard is available in five grades.

These range from the basic lightweight general purpose grade, MDF Trade, to MDF Industrial — a hard-working, deep routing, moisture-resistant product with uniform density all the way through the board. www.rdr.link/mh035

Attack! buying preferences of the nation’s professional more trade counter sales.

KLOBER WEATHERPROOF UNDERLAY

DOWSIL DOWSIL 785N SEALANT

Waterproof and tear-resistant, Permo extreme RS SK2 underlay from Klober has been designed for use on low pitched roofs and is suitable for profile tiles pitched at 12.5° or more, slates at 15° and 22.5° for plain tiles.

It is manufactured from a bondable two-layered underlay with a shrink-resistant TPU coating on a robust PES (polyethersulphone) fleece which allows vapour to escape, while keeping rain water out. www.rdr.link/mh036

With the launch of a new acetic acid-free version of its popular 785 product, the new Dowsil 785N is described as a breeze to use — even in confined spaces. Now the new low-odour, neutral cure version offers all the old performance, appearance and gunability without the smell. So even in the tightest en-suite, or cramped shower cubicle, Dowsil 78N is a pleasure to use. www.rdr.link/mh039

DUNLOP TILE ADHESIVE Designed for installing porcelain, ceramic or natural stone tiles in external areas such as patios and terraces, Dunlop Large Format and Natural Stone Adhesive is pourable and rapid-setting in only three hours for fast-track project completion.

Water and frost resistant, it can be applied up to 25mm thickness — making it suitable for fixing tiles/slabs of uneven thickness and uneven surfaces. www.rdr.link/mh037

FIBO BATHROOM PANELS Nine new designs have been added to Fibo’s range of panel designs and colours, reflecting design trends for marble and natural stone effects, soft greens and neutrals. Four further panels (sea blues and greys) have also been introduced to the UK. The new designs are available with and without grouting lines for a tile effect or a seamless panel wall. www.rdr.link/mh038

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

PLASTIKOTE TRADE RANGE PlastiKote’s new Trade range is for the professional builder and decorator with an assorted collection of easy-to-use, quick-drying, fit-for-purpose aerosols. There are 34 trade products available including paints and primers, along with more functional and technical products such as adhesives, damp seal and stain block.

Every can carries clear and practical usage instructions with the cap indicating finish and colour. All the paints are quick drying acrylic and can be used indoors and out. www.rdr.link/mh040

DULUX TRADE INTERIOR PAINTS In order to help builders achieve longer lasting results on their jobs, Dulux Trade has launched new formulations of its Diamond Matt and Diamond Eggshell paints. The two emulsions are said to now be 50 times more durable than standard trade emulsions, with enhanced protection against scrubs, scuffs and stains to stand the test of daily wear and tear in high footfall commercial and domestic areas. www.rdr.link/mh041

PBM SEPTEMBER 2019 73

FREE TO TH E

TRAD

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Professional ING ■ ROOFING BUILDING ■ FLOOR ING ■ PLUMB AND DECOR ATING ■ ■ CARPE NTRY ■ PAINTIN G SEPTEMBER 2019

FOR THE BUILDING INDUSTRY THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

ROOFING, FLOORING & INSULATION

Going the extra ‘tile’!

MASONRY MATERIALS & LANDSCAPING

The path finders!

...What the impending changes mean FOR you and your business...

Campaign news FIXED FLAT ROOFLIGHTS

see inside for details

STANDARD STOCK SIZE Available for dispatch 3-4 working days Double Glazed Clear Low E Glass Fully Glazed Anthracite Grey Aluminium Frame

• Double or Triple Glazed

1.2 U-VALUE

• Available in Clear, Solar & Privacy 1000mm x 1000mm

• Thermal Aluminium Fully Glazed System

(internal opening size)

£480 +VAT

1000mm x 1500mm (internal opening size)

£595 +VAT

THE PERFECT

1000mm x 2000mm (internal opening size)

£730 +VAT

MATCH FOR

EASY TO INSTALL

PROFESSIONALS

WALK ON ROOFLIGHTS • Walk on Toughened Laminated Glass • Suitable for internal & external installations • Quick turnaround times • Thermal aluminium fully glazed system • Available in clear, privacy & anti slip • Bespoke sizes at no extra cost

Our walk on rooflights have been designed to transform dark basement or roof terrace areas allowing natural light to flow into the rooms below, whilst maintaining the thermal properties within your home

Email: sales@txpro.co.uk

Tel: 0845 3400 200 The palette in your

To T o ffind ind out more more and get matchi matching, ng, pl please ease visit visit dul duluxtr uxtrade.co ade.co.uk/s .uk/se ensor nsor

Dulux Trade Colour Sensor We feature this handy little gizmo elsewhere in the issue, and the ad explains that the Colour Sensor will let professionals scan a colour and get a Dulux colour match in seconds to provide “the perfect match for professionals.” www.duluxtrade.co.uk/sensor

Showcasing the firm’s Fixed Flat Rooflights and also its Walk On Rooflights, the company says its easy to install products will provide the required thermal performance whilst letting natural light flood in.

Opening up a category to the general building trade, more information awaits at www.tuffxglass.co.uk

4

New name, serious roofing heritage

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of Push-Fit Plumbing

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With a rating of 9 out of 10 for quality and a 50-year guarantee, it’s no wonder installers can stake their reputation on Hep2O. For added assurance, Hep2O also features In4Sure™ secure jointing technology for a perfect push-fit.

It’s compatible with copper and the coiled pipe stays flat, which makes every job quick and easy, but don’t take our word for it, try it yourself and request your free test pack now from:

Wavin Hep2O A special gatefold advert heralds 40 years of Hep2O push fit plumbing solutions. The ad proclaims that ‘Reputation is everything’ and the tried and trusted range now features In4Sure secure jointing technology “for a perfect push-fit”.

Boasting a 50 year guarantee, the joints are compatible with copper whilst the system’s coiled pipe stays flat to make every job quick and easy. www.hep2o.co.uk

2019 see’s BMI Redland celebrate 100 years of concrete tile production äñç úèđõè óõòøç ÷ò ïòòî åäæî èùèñ éøõ÷ëèõ ÷ò !(#' úëèñ òøõ Ĥõö÷ Rosemary clay tile was made. Ever since we’ve been delivering innovative õòòĤñê äñç úä÷èõóõòòĤñê öüö÷èðö ×òú äö ËÖÒ úè æòñ÷ìñøè ÷ëìö úòõî åü providing shelterr, protection and peace of mind fo or architects, rooffe ers, building and homeowners alike - through roofss that aare designed to transfo orm the way people live and work.

bmigroup.com/uk

www.hep2o.co.uk

Providing total roofing solutions

74 PBM SEPTEMBER 2019

TuffX Rooflights

The company says that its products make the difference between doing a good renovation job and a great one.

Quick to fit, they will enable your customers to get the job done and get onto the next one, having provided quiet spaces that will save homeowners money on energy bills and protection from fire. www.rockwool.co.uk

Tried and trusted for 40 years.

www.tuffxglass.co.uk

Tuffx Processed Glass Ltd., Nexus House, Randles Road, Knowsley Business Park, Knowsley, Merseyside L34 9HX

Rockwool Thermal & Sound Insulation

pocket.

With the NEW Dulux Trade Colour Sensor, scan a colour and get a Dulux colour match in seconds.

bmigroup.com/uk bmigroup.com/uk P Providing roviding ttotal otal rroofing oof ing ssolutions olutions

BMI Redland 2019 sees Redland celebrate 100 years of concrete tile production, yet the company can look back even further to 1837 when the first Rosemary clay tile was made. The ‘serious roofing heritage’ is shown in the ad with an archive shot from 1953, but the innovation continues under the new BMI name. bmigroup.com/uk

PBM takes a look at some of the latest advertising campaigns in Professional Builder and Professional Heating & Plumbing Installer magazines, influencing the buying decisions of approaching 200,000 trade professionals at merchant trade counters each month.

SEPTEMBER 2019

STAY SAFE

GAS SAFETY WEEK RETURNS!

BACK TO REALITY

Bristan Tap range

IMPROVING INDUSTRY STANDARDS WITH AR

Did you know that Bristan taps already feature in one in five homes, or that one of the company’s products is sold every 25 seconds? As the ad proclaims, the brand is trusted to deliver by installers who value features such as Easyfit to save time on site. And that can only mean good news for stockists. www.bristan.com

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HEATING & RENEWABLES GUIDANCE ON FITTING YOUR FLUES

VISIT PHPIONLINE.CO.UK FOR REGULAR UPDATES

AND EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

Glow-worm Mystery Trip

SAIGON

Glow-worm’s legendary Mystery Mystery Trip 2020 Trip returns next THE SECRET IS OUT year, offering installers the chance to visit Vietnam. As the advert says, in order to not miss Saigon (very good...) next year, installers need to keep buying and registering boilers Glow G l ow p places laces aatt g glow-worm.co.uk/mysterytrip low-worm.co.uk /myster y trip @ @glow_wormclub glow_wormclub through the Club Energy loyalty scheme – and that can only mean more sales for merchants. www.glow-worm.co.uk Next year’s all-expenses-paid Mystery Trip will see you glowing all the way to Vietnam. You’ll be taking in the exhilarating sights and sounds of Saigon and sampling the city’s world-renowned street food. And with the opportunity to visit famous locations like the Presidential Palace, the local markets and the Mekong Delta, you’ll get a taste of the culture too.

So if you don’t want to miss Saigon 2020, keep registering boilers on Club Energy.

Find out more at glow-worm.co.uk/mysterytrip

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In a fab ad from DAB, the company highlights the latest smart technology and key features in its Evosta 3 pump that is ‘uniting an army of installers’ across the pump JOIN THE JO JJOI THE PUMP P PUM MP MP replacement market. A competition to win £3,000 worth of holiday vouchers will surely help to drive even more footfall towards the trade counter. www.JoinThePumpRevolution.co.uk

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• 5-year warranty • Airvent plug • Simple user interface

• Quick coupling mains plug • Our lowest energy usage • IPX5 Water Protection

The power is in YOUR hands...

www.JoinThePumpRevolution.co.uk

Fernox Clean and dose in under two minutes Time is of the essence for Fernox, as the company outlines how its TF1 Filter can be fully cleaned and serviced in less than two minutes.

Dosing the system can be done in only 30 seconds with Fernox Express, allowing your customers to move rapidly on to the next job. www.fernox.com

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

Surestop i-water control This WRAS-approved system can be installed in around 30 minutes but will provide long-lasting reassurance by helping to prevent the water damage caused by leaks.

Mains water can simply be turned off remotely via a web portal, mobile app or a switch fitted in the property.

Clever. www.surestop.co.uk

Turn urn off mains ma water any time, anywhere me, any place, pla -water control with Surestop ii-water • Reducee water damage caused by leaks ol via a web portal, mobile app or a switch fitted • Control property ple to install in approximate approximately 30 minutes • Simple • option tion for covering several different diffe properties

• RAS approved

www.surestop.co.uk

PBM SEPTEMBER 2019 75

Counter…

Use PBM’s unique insight into the heating engineers to make more Just as with its sister publication Professional Builder, Professional Heating & Plumbing Installer magazine acts as an essential bridge between the industry’s suppliers, stockists and an army of 60,000+ installers and heating engineers.

Picked up from trade counters across the country, the magazine offers its readers up-to-the-minute news, feature articles, business advice and product tests in addition to a host of giveaways and competitions. Championing the highest industry standards, PHPI’s readers are all actively seeking support from their local stockists to source what they need for their next job.

PBM takes a closer look at some of the stand-out products from the latest issue of PHPI.

JULY/AUGUST 2019

STACKED UP

STORAGE AND SECURIT Y SOLUTIONS

WIN!

A NEW TOP OF THE RANGE BOILER

FERROLI BLUEHELIX TECH RRT The combi and system boilers offer a range of new technical features including a patented stainless steel Thermobalance heat exchanger, which is shaped to ensure increased water flow and improve efficiency. This feature is said to make the boiler ideal for replacement installations that are more prone to producing sediment in the exchanger.

The combi is available in 24, 28 and 34kW outputs and the system model in 18, 24 and 34kW. If the boiler is required to run on LPG, no conversion kit is needed. www.rdr.link/mh042

TAKING CONTROL

YOUR HEATING CONTRO L QUESTIONS ANSWERED VISIT PHPIONLINE.CO.UK

FOR REGULAR UPDATES AND

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

ALTECNIC DIRTMAG MINI

Thanks to PHPI’s loyal readership of plumbing and heating professionals, we are able to delve into the data to present genuine insight into the buying behaviour of your trade customers to highlight the essential industry info each month. In addition, we can bring you details of the latest campaigns and new product launches from manufacturers and suppliers looking to target the plumbing and heating sector.

76 PBM SEPTEMBER 2019

Expanding its dirt and air separation range, Altecnic has launched the Dirtmag Mini filter. Compact in size, the filter allows for flexible installation thanks to features such as the quick-fit system and interchangeable compression connections for horizontal, vertical or angled installation.

A self-cleaning function also allows installers to drain debris from the system without opening the filter body and the full-bore isolation valves aim to deliver ease of servicing.

The product comes packaged as a single unit or as part of a compliance pack, which includes the FAST cleaner and maximum protection inhibitor aerosol canisters. www.rdr.link/mh043

FERNOX F RANGE To reduce time spent on site and minimise call backs, Fernox has reformulated its Cleaner F3, Protector F1 and Protector+ Filter Fluid products.

The new formulations are said to have a much higher concentration of the main active ingredients, so a new 500ml bottle or 400ml Express canister within the ‘F’ range can now treat a 130-litre system — up from a 100-litre system previously — 16 radiators, and 250m2 of underfloor systems. www.rdr.link/mh044

Attack! buying preferences of the nation’s plumbers and trade counter sales.

MIRA SHOWERS MIRA FLIGHT LEVEL

VELOCITY PROGEAR ROGUE 5.0 BACKPACK

With multigenerational living on the rise, Mira Showers has launched a 25mm low-level shower tray to offer an accessible solution that provides an open and spacious showering space for a wet-room look.

The new tray is made from acrylic-capped resin stone, is scratch and chip resistant, and features BioCote technology to reduce bacteria and mould growth by up to 99.9%. The Flight Level's removable waste trap has been specially designed to prevent blockages and leakages. www.rdr.link/mh045

SANIFLO KINEDO KINESPACE Designed to make fitting shower enclosures easier, Saniflo’s Kinedo Kinespace range is available in four sizes and numerous configurations — including quadrant, recessed and corner options with pivot or sliding doors. Fixed panels also enable further customisation.

At 2m high with 6 or 8mm glass, installation is described as quick and easy due to the Kineclip which holds the shower door in place, enabling the installer to use both hands to screw the rest of the unit together. Sizes range from between 700 and 1200mm whilst for larger showers, an additional fixed panel can also be used. www.rdr.link/mh046

BOSCH PROFESSIONAL ROTARY HAMMER Bosch Professional has extended its 18-volt product range with the launch of the GBH 18V-26 D Professional — a powerful cordless rotary hammer with D-handle, offering KickBack control for improved user protection.

The brushless motor of this cordless rotary hammer contributes to the efficiency of the tool. When combined with a 5.0 Ah battery, the machine can drill around 110 holes (8 by 40mm) in concrete. For particularly demanding drilling and chiselling applications, tradespeople can use the high-performance ProCORE18V battery. www.rdr.link/mh047

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

Velocity Progear has extended its offering to include the premium Rogue tool bags range. The Rogue 5.0 Backpack, for example, features front and rear compartments that have been designed for vertical tool storage for install-service applications.

The pack incorporates highperformance fabrics and magnetic buckle systems along with YKK interlocking zips. The company has also announced it will launch three further Rogue models on 19-20 September at the Toolfair Exhibition which takes place at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry. www.rdr.link/mh048

DICKIES 2019-20 CATALOGUE Featuring a new layout plus 17 new products, Dickies 2019-20 catalogue is over 300 pages long — the largest ever published by the company. New products include the Dickies GDT Premium Shorts, which are said to be lightweight and easy to coordinate with other items within the GDT Premium range and feature a Cordura pocket, plus wide belt loops and hip pockets. www.rdr.link/mh049

SNICKERS WORKWEAR CATALOGUE Including the latest designs and fabric technology, Snickers Workwear’s 200-page catalogue showcases the company’s range including the AllroundWork, RUFFWork, LITEWork and FLEXIWork clothing ranges, featuring trousers, jackets, tool vests, shirts, accessories and more.

The collection also features street-smart stretch fabrics for mobile comfort and a Layered Clothing System that ensures the wearer can choose clothes to suit the weather on site. www.rdr.link/mh050

PBM SEPTEMBER 2019 77

POINT OF SALE

Leave it to Beaver To stand out in a competitive market, a supplier’s merchandising and point of sale materials need to make an instant impression in store. PBM considers the eye-catching approach being taken by Beaverscrews as it launches the brand into the UK market.

W

ith a display unit known as ‘the Lodge’ as its centrepiece POS offering, Paul Gordon, MD of Beaverscrews, believes that merchants and their customers simply won’t fail to notice the new kid on the block in the crowded screws and fixings arena.

The company has announced it will be launching to the UK market with a major trade marketing campaign beginning in October 2019. The launch programme has been designed to quickly build strong brand awareness amongst the trade, explaining the

many technical features of the new product and clearly illustrating how the waxed screws easily and efficiently ‘eat through wood’ like their dam-building namesakes.

To achieve the goal of quickly becoming a firm favourite amongst builders, Paul says that much emphasis has been placed on supporting stockists through the creation of a striking packaging design and creative Point of Sale materials to ensure maximum impact in-store. A core part of this philosophy is the firm’s Lodge display unit, which is available to all stockists.

Paul says that, for the merchant, Beaverscrews offer an added value sales opportunity at attractive margins. Furthermore, stockists will be listed on an interactive map on the company’s website to encourage trade interest, which is then re-directed back through to the merchant.

■ For more information on becoming a Beaverscrews stockist, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh051

Colour vision In a move said to take its inspiration from the branding and marketing of consumer products, Superglass has revealed vibrant new packaging for its range of glass wool insulation products.

M

ade from up to 84% recycled glass, Superglass insulation is now available on the shelves of builders’ merchants nationwide in eyecatching, colour-coded new packaging.

Bob Dalrymple, Head of Marketing at the Stirling-based manufacturer, said: “One look at the new Superglass packs, and you can see that everything has changed. Our bright, colour-coded packaging is designed to make it easier to pair a product to its application.

The design employs simple graphics to show each product’s features and benefits while

78 PBM SEPTEMBER 2019

the strong colours make sure they’re easy to find and identify.

“For as long as I can remember, trade products — particularly within construction — have only ever considered branding and packaging as an afterthought.

Our new visual identity, however, applies the principles of branding and marketing — that consumer products do so well — to our insulation. Like all construction product manufacturers, we take great care in making our product, so why shouldn’t we echo that in their presentation?”

Bob added: “The new packaging is the latest development in a programme of improvements we’re making to our products, processes and service. It is all part of our innovative approach to insulation we call Intelligent Environments — using technology to optimise living and working environments, save energy and create a brighter, smarter future.”

■ For more information on the Superglass range of products and services, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh052

LAKES 8-PAGE ROLLFOLD To support the launch of its premium stone resin shower trays, Lakes has produced an 8-page rollfold, which continues the lifestyle theme of Lakes’ main ‘Designed for Life’ brochure. The rollfold showcases the Lakes Stone range of stone resin trays which are available in a choice of four sizes and three colours to suit rectangular showering spaces across Lakes’ Island, Coastline and Classic Collections.

Each tray features a premium matt finish with a through-colour, to maintain its appearance, despite accidental knocks. The 30mm trays are anti-slip and anti-bacterial with a non-porous surface and each comes with a 10-year guarantee.

FIBO SWATCH BOOKS AND SAMPLES Fibo UK has released new swatch books and wall panel samples for merchants and installers, which include its new marble, stone-effect and solid colour styles. Two swatch books are available, showing the extensive panel choice with or without grouting-effect lines: one includes all Scandinavian and Contemporary Tile Effect collections, while the other showcases the Signature and Timeless ranges.

Lightweight samples are also available in each of the new designs so that merchants can demonstrate the overall look and feel of the wall panels, including the 7-layer WBP Plywood core on the reverse.

MARLEY ALUTEC IMPROVED WEBSITE Redesigned with simple navigation in mind, as well as showcasing the company’s aluminium guttering, fascia and soffit solutions, Marley Alutec’s new website has been designed to provide specifiers, installers and merchants with a range of tools such as a resources section and online estimating tools.

Merchants will now be able to find in-depth product information quickly due to new individual product pages. The pages allow users to easily identify the main USPs of the company’s product ranges before recommending them to customers.

The website has also been optimised for mobile use.

SHOWERWALL BROCHURE AND POS PACKAGE Updated to reflect the new design additions, Showerwall has introduced a new 68-page brochure of the company’s HPL and acrylic wall panels which offers 69 decors in total across five collections.

The comprehensive suite of materials includes: a new waterfall display stand which shows swatches of all of the HPL and acrylic decors; a Custom Acrylic Box containing all of the Custom decors including the new designs; an 80 by 80mm Acrylic Box containing the eight core colours from the Acrylic range; a HPL Swatch, and an in-situ display to encourage stockists to maximise their sales potential.

GRANT UK BIG G1 GIVEAWAY 2019 Open to all G1 Installers, Grant UK’s 2019 ‘Big G1 Giveaway’ is running until December with monthly prize draws.

New to 2019’s promotion is a ‘Big Holiday Superdraw’ where one installer will win £5,000 in holiday vouchers.

G1 installers who register a Grant product via their Portal or G1 Click app before 31st December 2019 will be automatically entered into that month’s prize draw. In each monthly draw, 50 installers will win one of the top prizes and then a runner-up prize will be sent to all of the remaining entrants.

INTERFLOOR ESTIMATOR ROLL Designed for both in-store and home visits, Interfloor has added a branded estimator roll for the Gripperrods Premier range to its POS materials. The estimator roll contains samples of the profiles — available in brushed steel, nickel and chrome finishes — which are suitable for joining floors of different materials, different heights and between doorways.

A sample box and wall-hangings are also available, designed to give stockists an upsell opportunity as they complete their in-store sales process.

For more examples of supplier support for merchants on the PBM website, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh053

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

PBM SEPTEMBER 2019 79

PRODUCTS & SERVICES FREEFOAM SAGE GREEN Designed to suit any location, from rural countryside, coastal situations and urban city environments, Freefoam has added Sage Green to its Double Shiplap cladding range. This colour is currently available in the Weatherboard style cladding, and offers a natural, soft shade with grey undertones.

Both the Double Shiplap and the Weatherboard style cladding are part of the Fortex range which offers 10 subtle, traditional and contemporary colours. The Fortex range provides a PVC product which features an embossed wood effect texture that the company claims requires minimal maintenance once installed.

BRETT MARTIN CHARTWELL GREEN To provide an element of country charm to its range, Brett Martin Pluming and Drainage has launched a new colour option to the Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater and Soil Systems range. Chartwell Green will sit alongside the company’s now eight-strong range of heritage colours: Classic Black, Anthracite Grey, Oxford Blue, Olive Green, Graphite Grey, Sandstone and Porcelain White.

As with the entire Cascade range it is described as maintenance free and UV stabilised, whilst Cascade is fully compatible with both existing cast iron and modern-style rainwater systems and offers a 10 year guarantee.

GLOW-WORM EASICOM Exclusively for independent merchants, Glow-Worm has launched the Easicom boiler. Compatible with the existing flue range for easy replacement of older boilers, Easicom’s design features an LCD display and quiet operation to ensure minimal noise for homeowners. The range can also be used alongside a choice of controls, including Glow-worm’s Climastat smart thermostat.

The range, which includes combi, system and regular models, is connected to Glow-worm’s Club Energy installer scheme, which when the installation is registered, will initiate a five-year guarantee.

MEDITE SMARTPLY MEDITE CLEAR AND MEDITE FR CLEAR Specifically for use in environmentally sensitive interior applications where the off-gassing of formaldehyde needs to be at an absolute minimum, Medite Smartply has introduced Medite Clear and Medite FR Clear; MDF panels with zero-added formaldehyde.

With a focus on healthy, sustainable construction, the company reports that the formaldehyde content of the panels is less than 1.0mg/100g — equivalent to or less than natural wood — and exceeds the rigid Class E1 (EN 622-1) low formaldehyde standard. Medite Clear and Medite FR Clear can be produced in a range of panel sizes and thicknesses.

POLYPIPE BUILDING PRODUCTS IC600 INSPECTION CHAMBERS Designed to meet the needs of groundwork contractors, Polypipe Building Products has launched a range of 600mm diameter inspection chambers. The IC600 Inspection Chambers are certified to EN 13598-2 and the company states they are fully sealed for a water-tight, tamper-proof, low-maintenance installation.

The choice of six bases allows for straight through flow or cross tee configuration for use with 150/160mm, 225/250mm or 300/315mm pipe. The adaptor range suits multiple pipe configuration options for connection to Polysewer, Smoothwall PVCu and Vitrified Clay pipe. The range is lightweight, strong, and resistant to corrosion with a double skinned base for additional groundwater resistance.

80 PBM SEPTEMBER 2019

ACO WATER MANAGEMENT MONODRAIN RANGE Expanding on the existing PD100D channel, the MonoDrain PD150D is made from the same Vienite polymer concrete with an increased bore width of 150mm, allowing for a greater hydraulic capacity across a larger surface area. Also, it requires fewer drainage runs to manage the water, making the PD150D a solution for larger projects.

Available in three colours — black, grey and natural — the channels provide engineers and architects versatility for their designs, making it possible to co-ordinate with asphalt, concrete or natural paving. The range has an improved access unit, incorporating a thermoset composite frame and lid to provide protection from oxidation.

GRANT UK AFINIA ALUMINIUM RADIATORS

PEGLER VSH MULTIPRESS SYSTEM

Suitable for both high and low temperature systems, Grant UK has announced the launch of Afina Aluminium Radiators. The radiators are compatible with all of the company’s current products, and it is claimed that thermal conductivity of aluminium enables Afinia radiators to heat up and cool down very quickly, rapidly responding to changes in the temperature demand set via the thermostat.

The range includes horizontal models which are available in three standard heights — 430, 580 and 680mm — and two vertical models available with heights of 1,842 or 2,042mm. Each radiator is supplied with a 15 year guarantee.

Pegler has announced its latest addition with the launch of VSH MultiPress; a new multilayer pipe system, which includes an aluminium layer with additional inner and outer layers of polyethene (PE-X). The way these layers are linked delivers enhanced resistance to loads generated by internal pressure and high temperature.

According to the company, its heat-free nature ensures that no hot works are needed, whilst ease and the speed in which a quality joint can be made will reduce time spent on site. In addition, the thermal memory of the pipe can reduce the number of fittings needed and therefore provide cost savings in terms of materials used and time on site.

SANIFLO KINEDO ECLIPSE Joining Saniflo’s developing line-up of shower enclosures from Kinedo, the Eclipse offers multiple sizes and configurations — including corner and recessed, and either pivot or sliding doors — to suit a wide range of installations up to 1600mm in length. Each door and panel is manufactured from toughened 6mm glass which provides a durable shower space and lightens the load for the plumber.

All pivot doors open 180° for maximum entry space and the profiles are adjustable by up to 30mm to cater for uneven wall surfaces. Eclipse is supplied as standard with chrome profiles, and matt black options.

NORBORD CABERACOUSTIC Suitable for reducing both impact and airborne transmitted sounds, Norbord’s CaberAcoustic is described as a versatile and economical sound-reducing flooring solution. Each panel weighs approximately 20kg and can be laid over concrete and timber floors in both new and existing buildings.

CaberAcoustic uses felt that is bonded to the underside of the chipboard made from recycled fibres, ensuring that it is environmentally-friendly. According to the company, 19dB is the reduction in sound transference when CaberAcoustic is installed on its own. CaberAcoustic comes in 28mm and 32mm thicknesses.

TIMCO FIRST AID RANGE TIMco has expanded its Shield brand with the launch of a First Aid range. Sitting as part of its Shield Site Protection range, the new extensions reflect the company’s commitment to safety in construction as well as delivering on its strategy of becoming a ‘one stop shop’ for builders’ merchants. The range includes a selection of workplace and vehicle first aid kits, as well as a heavy bleed and burns kit. It also includes an eye care kit, heavy duty plasters and an accident book.

In addition, the Shield Protective Board has been developed to protect and preserve all hard floor and short twill covered floor surfaces from dust, dirt, spills, sprays and site grime. The FSC certified board comes in a roll and is made from recycled compressed fibre board that is 100% recyclable and reusable.

IDEAL BATHROOMS TAVISTOCK LEGACY AND CALM Available through Ideal Bathrooms, Legacy and Calm are the new fitted furniture ranges from Tavistock. Legacy creates a traditional look comprised of a standard and slim depth basin, floor, back to wall and full height unit options. The units are available in three door colours — linen white, metro grey and matt dark grey — with an oak carcass finish.

For a minimal look, the Calm range includes wall cabinets, a mirror, basin, floor, back to wall and full height units and slab-style doors, which are available in three finishes — gloss white with a white carcass, gloss light grey and kona with a graphite carcass.

For more details on these and other new products on the PBM website, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mh054

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

PBM SEPTEMBER 2019 81

ADVERTISEMENT INDEX

ACO Technologies plc .......................................page 46

Magply ................................................................page 67

AkzoNobel .....................................................pages 4,28

Marley Ltd ...........................................................page 15

AkzoNobel ................................................bound outsert

Norbord Europe Ltd .............................................page 9

Alumasc Exterior Building Products Ltd ...........page 51

Nu-Heat UK Ltd ..................................inside front cover

Bathroom Manufacturers Association ..............page 68

Olympic Fixings Products Ltd ......................loose insert

Bluebird Fixings Ltd ...........................................page 71

Progressive Safety Footwear & Clothing Ltd ....page 66

Blue Rock Systems Ltd .....................................page 32

Quinn Building Products ....................................page 31

Bond It ................................................................page 58

Samac Fixings Ltd .............................................page 59

Brett Martin Plumbing & Drainage ....................page 48

Setcrete ...............................................................page 35

BSW Timber Ltd .................................................page 11

Simpson Strong-Tie ...........................................page 32

Building Adhesives Ltd ......................................page 52

Snows Timber Ltd ..............................................page 44

Concept Distribution Ltd ....................................page 60

Sunsquare Ltd ....................................................page 37

ERA .....................................................................page 63

The Millboard Company Ltd ..............................page 42

Everbuild Building Products Ltd ........................page 24

T. I. Midwood & Co Ltd ......................................page 65

fischer fixings UK Ltd .........................................page 56

Tobermore ...........................................................page 41

Garador Ltd ........................................................page 45

Ubbink (UK) Ltd ..................................................page 20

Global Stone (Colchester) Ltd ...........................page 50

Vecta Sales Solution Ltd ....................................page 71

Hexstone Ltd ......................................................page 55

VIP Polymers Ltd ..................................................page 6

Hilton Banks Ltd .................................................page 27

Visqueen .............................................................page 62

Impact Handling .................................................page 22

Wavin Ltd ............................................................page 25

Karndean Designflooring ...................................page 49

Werner Co. ...................................................pages 38,39

Knauf Insulation Ltd ...........................................page 19

Winn & Coales (Denso) Ltd ................................page 45

Long Rake Spar Co. Ltd ......................................page 7

Yale UK ...............................................................page 10

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Please contact Kirstie Day on 01923 237799 82 PBM SEPTEMBER 2019

NE W !

SH SH*T *T

With Paul Davies

AND WE’RE BACK!

OFF A

SHOVEL! SHOV EL! L

The first few weekends of the Premier League season have seen some of the big names hit the ground running. We know all about the likes of Sterling and Aguero at Manchester City — although with 30 shots against Tottenham and only scoring twice, we’d respectfully suggest some shooting practice might be required!

A little more seriously, Kevin De Bruyne certainly seems to be getting back to his best as an assist machine, but what of the emergence of some less well-known enablers for your fantasy team? We backed him a couple of months ago, but Teemu Pukki at Norwich has already picked up where he left off as the Championship’s top scorer last year. Calmly passing the ball into the net for a couple of his strikes against Newcastle, he showed the confidence and composure that should do him well as the season progresses.

Burnley’s Ashley Barnes is also on fire, as the Clarets look much more like the side that battled their way to the Europa League rather than the one that struggled with the extra fixtures this entailed. We’re trying not to just think of goalscorers, but Harry Wilson, Leandro Trossard and Douglas Luiz have all caught the eye and won’t break the bank, whilst Daniel James and Mason Mount could add financial balance to your teams provided they get the requisite game time.

UP FOR REVIEW Any fears that the debut of VAR this season would all but kill off post-match debate have been completely thrown out after just two rounds! We’ve seen a number of ‘good’ goals already chalked off that would definitely have stood last year, precious few of which have fitted the ‘clear and obvious errors’ mantra that VAR was intended to remedy.

Granted, the decisions thus far have (I think) all been the correct ones. If someone’s toe is offside, they are offside but it just doesn’t feel good to hear bigger cheers (after the requisite delay…) overturning a goal than for scoring one.

Worse still has been the shenanigans surrounding ‘accidental’ handball. Highlighted due to the seemingly mandatory VAR check, the real issue is actually a change to the Laws of the game whereby any handball — intentional or not — that leads to a goal will be penalised. Accidental handball by a defender will only be punished if the player’s body shape has been deemed to extend beyond a “natural silhouette”.

Already this season, goals by Leander Dendoncker and Gabriel Jesus have been ruled out, whilst Watford were denied a penalty — even after a VAR review — when a free kick clearly struck the arm of Glenn Murray in the Brighton wall.

It seems bonkers to me that the rules (alright, Laws…) are no longer applied equally, depending on where you are on the pitch. Also, no-one seems to be able to answer my query for the following scenario: A defender inadvertently handles in his own box, but play continues and he launches it upfield to his number 9 who promptly scores. VAR rules out the goal, but as the defender can’t concede a penalty for the (non) infringement, where does play resume…?

Answers on a postcard please…

TTING E S T ASTES HESIVE F E H T AD Y

U B N A OU C

GRAB

Y

HOLDS 300KG

IN 15 MIN MINUTES* UTES* HI-TECH

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9 9 9

Follow the PBM / Evo-Stik league at www.pbmfantasyfootball.co.uk *holds 300kg in 15 minutes per m2

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