Power tools market grows to 10 million units in Benelux
The Benelux power tools market has seen growth this year, with around 10 million units expected to be shipping when the year is out, up from 9.8 million in 2015, according to a report from Future Market Insights. In 2015, the Benelux power tools market was valued at US$826.4 million and is expected to hit […]
Grainger sales marginally down, but earns perfect score in Corporate Equality Index
Grainger has reported a slight dip in sales results for November 2016, compared like-for-like with the same month last year. Company daily sales were down 3% in November 2016 versus November of 2015, driven by a 1% point decline in volume, a 1% decline in price and a 1% point decline from lower sales of […]
2016 survey now live for the fastener, tool and related industries
How has 2016 been for your business? Was it a barnstorming success or has trading this year been a struggle? And what are your expectations for 2017? Now you can tell us how it really is, off the record, in our Torque 2016 survey. Follow these links to take the survey: UK survey International survey […]
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 […]
Recruiting skilled staff ‘biggest challenge’ for SMEs
Finding skilled staff has become the biggest challenge for business owners, up from third place in 2015, according to a report by Albion Ventures, This pressing challenge comes as half of small businesses with over five employees are planning to grow their headcount in the next 24 months. SMEs in the manufacturing industry reported the highest […]
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 […]
Sales rise to $23.2 billion for The Home Depot
US-based home improvement retailer The Home Depot has seen sales growth in quarter three, fiscal 2016. Sales rose 6.1% compared with Q3 2015 up to $23.2 billion with comparable store sales at 5.5%. 2016 sales are expected to be up 6.3% and comparable sales are predicted to hit 4.9%. “We experienced balanced sales growth in […]
Self-clinching fasteners driving market, claims report
The global industrial fasteners market is set to grow at a CAGR of 4.05% from 2016-2020, according to a new report from Research and Markets. Another week, another prediction for the fastener market, you might reasonably argue? Either way, the research firm has provided some extra detail on what it has found to be driving […]
Construction output declines, but new work increases
The latest construction output figures from the UK declined in the third quarter of 2016. Statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a 1.1% drop in Q3 2016. This was revised up, as expected, from the preliminary estimate of -1.4% released earlier, thanks to the incorporation of late data. New work output increased during […]
Revenue up to £2.1 billion for Buildbase owner Grafton despite pricing pressures
Group revenue has grown for Grafton, with the merchanting division increasing despite pricing pressures in a competitive trading environment. Grafton’s merchanting business (largely through the Buildbase and Plumbase brands) accounts for 92% of Group Revenue and it grew modestly in the four months to the end of October – up 1.2% in the UK, up […]