Joinery and ironmongery drive UK Builders Merchants Q2 sales
Sales have grown for UK Builders Merchants in Q2, continuing a positive trend for the sector. The latest BMF’s Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) saw sales rise 5.3%, when adjusted for there being two fewer trading days in the period, compared to Q2 2016 (actual Q2 y-o-y sales were still positive at 1.9%). Year to date sales […]
NMBS launches new Special Offers App
NMBS has made it easier for its merchant members to embrace mobile technology to market their businesses. The UK buying society for independent builders, plumbing and heating, timber and hardware merchants, has recently introduced a new Special Offers App. It enables users to quickly, easily and cost effectively communicate details of special offers or promotions they […]
NMBS Show heads to Coventry Ricoh this week
The annual NMBS Exhibition runs this Wednesday 5 April at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. Last year’s NMBS (National Builders Merchants Society) show, on 13 April, saw over 260 exhibitors and 906 merchant visitors – the highest ever figure in the show’s 48 year history. According to the organiser, with 98% of attendees at last year’s show […]
Bradfords Building Supplies reaches 40th store with acquisition
Bradfords Group has acquired general builders merchant Crockers in Dawlish, Devon. The purchase of the long-established business brings the total number of Bradfords Building Supplies outlets to 40 nationwide. Mark Eburne, Bradfords Group Chief Executive, said: ‘This acquisition is great news for both Bradfords and Crockers and marks another significant development in our growth ambitions. Crockers […]
BMF opens first Regional Centre in Wales
The Builders Merchants Foundation (BMF) has set up a Regional Centre of Excellence in Bridgend, Wales. Located at Rockwool’s Training Academy, the Centre will be used for training sessions for BMF members in the country. The launch too place as the Centre held its first BMF Wales regional meeting, chaired by Hughes Forrest MD Richard […]
Mild autumn boosts bottom line for builders merchants
The final quarter of 2016 saw sales growth in the UK builders merchants sector. Generalist merchants generated annual revenues in excess of £5.44 billion, representing sales value growth of 5.2%, according to the BMF’s Builders Merchants Building Index Q4 report, produced with GfK. Q4 2016 total merchant sales were up 5.5% on Q4 2015, with […]
Jewson owner Saint-Gobain expands with builders merchants acquisition
Benchmark Building Supplies has become a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain Building Distribution (SGBD) following its acquisition (reports The Business Desk). The North West-based business is Saint-Gobain’s second acquisition this year. Benchmark operates from seven trading locations around the M60. Boasting a customer base of over 1,200 construction companies, the firm was founded 20 years ago and has […]
Builders merchant MKM Building Supplies is up for sale
Hot on the heels of its expansion to 45 branches, MKM Building Supplies is reportedly up for sale to pave the way for further expansion (Financial Times). MKM is probably the UK’s largest independent builders merchant, with branches across England and Scotland. There are approximately 4,500 builders merchants in the UK and MKM has around […]
MKM Building Supplies opens 45th branch
MKM Building Supplies, the UK’s largest independent builders merchant, has opened its 45th store in Galashiels, Scotland. The firm celebrated the launch with free bacon butties and competitions offered to customers during launch week, which took place earlier this month. MKM was established in Hull in 1995, founded by David Kilburn and Peter Murray. There […]
Kellaway Building Supplies is back on the acquisition trail
South-West based Kellaway Building Supplies has purchased Worcester-based Premier Timber and Builders Merchant, bringing its branch total up to 12. The acquired business will be relocated from the current site to more suitable premises within the same trading estate, creating greater space to offer an increased range of stock and vastly improved facilities for both […]