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Forgefix’s Bessemer Park facility becomes BMF Centre of Excellence image
Forgefix’s Bessemer Park facility becomes BMF Centre of Excellence
6 October, 2025
ForgeFix has announced that its new facility at Bessemer Park in Sheffield has officially been named a Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) Centre of Excellence.
Report finds a quarter of tradespeople plan to retire in next five years image
Report finds a quarter of tradespeople plan to retire in next five years
The UK is facing a growing trade skills shortage, with one in four tradespeople planning to retire within the next five years, according to Screwfix’s 2025 Voice of the Trade report.
Building costs to increase by 15% over next five years, forecasts BCIS image
Building costs to increase by 15% over next five years, forecasts BCIS
Building costs will increase by 15% over the next five years to 3Q2030, while tender prices will rise by 16% over the same period, according to the latest construction forecast data from the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS). New work output is expected to grow by 18% between 2025 and 2030.
Newport builders’ merchant family take on Cardiff half marathon for cancer charity image
Newport builders’ merchant family take on Cardiff half marathon for cancer charity
Family-run builders merchants J&A Phillips, located in Newport, is celebrating the efforts of business owner Michael Birch and his son Jonathan, who completed the Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday 5th October.
Alsford cycling team raises over £10,000 for charity image
Alsford cycling team raises over £10,000 for charity
Staff from Alsford Timber & Builder’s Merchant have raised over £10,000 by completing a cycling challenge.
UK construction output falls at slowest pace for three months image
UK construction output falls at slowest pace for three months
The latest Construction PMI report, for September, shows that the downturn in construction activity may be slowing down as it was the least marked since June.
Genuit Group acquires Davidson Holdings image
Genuit Group acquires Davidson Holdings
The purchase complements Genuit Group’s existing portfolio and strengthens its position in the UK Repair, Maintenance and Improvement market.
Stark UK opens its den to building material innovators image
Stark UK opens its den to building material innovators
This October, Stark Building Materials UK (Stark UK) is inviting contacts from businesses and individuals who are developing solutions that could help the trades and the wider building industry.
LBS group welcomes "robust balance sheet" in 2024, despite slashed profit image
LBS group welcomes "robust balance sheet" in 2024, despite slashed profit
LBS group has published its accounts for 2024 that show a significant fall in profit despite sales growth.
City Plumbing reports surge in heat pump training with regional disparities image
City Plumbing reports surge in heat pump training with regional disparities
New research from City Plumbing shows how plumbers and heating installers across the UK are stepping up to meet the demand for low-carbon heating.
City Plumbing to offer low-cost solar training for installers image
City Plumbing to offer low-cost solar training for installers
City Plumbing has announced subsidised solar PV training in conjunction with renewable energy training specialist, GTEC Training.
IBMG goes pink to support Breast Cancer Now image
IBMG goes pink to support Breast Cancer Now
IBMG has announces the launch of ‘Project Pink’, a new initiative aimed at raising funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Now.
Jewson report reflects growth of sustainability market image
Jewson report reflects growth of sustainability market
New research from Jewson suggests more than half (54%) of builders and tradespeople are winning more work by offering services linked to sustainability.
CIC publishes second annual impact report image
CIC publishes second annual impact report
The Construction Inclusion Coalition (CIC) is pointing to the successes of its Elevate Women network and fledgling mentorship programme as an indication that peer-to-peer collaboration holds the key to creating more inclusive workplaces and improving employee retention within construction.
SEMA launches racking inspector verification tool image
SEMA launches racking inspector verification tool
The Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) has made it even easier for warehouse owners and managers to check the credentials of a racking inspector with the launch of its SARI Verification tool.
Wolseley announces supply chain investment in renewables transition image
Wolseley announces supply chain investment in renewables transition
Wolseley Group has announced a significant investment in its supply chain, aimed at enhancing its ability to meet rising demand for low carbon heating solutions and providing proactive support to customers navigating the energy transition.
BMF concludes exceptional fundraising year at Members’ Day image
BMF concludes exceptional fundraising year at Members’ Day
The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) concluded an exceptional fundraising year at its Members’ Conference and Awards in September.
BMF forecasts building materials growth for 2025 image
BMF forecasts building materials growth for 2025
The latest Forecast Report from the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) reveals a slight upward adjustment to 2.5% in the baseline forecast for sales of building materials in 2025, due to marginally better-than-expected growth rates in the first half of the year.
On The Tools launches series of videos on suicide image
On The Tools launches series of videos on suicide
With suicide rates in construction four times higher than the national average (ONS), On The Tools has launched a series of campaign videos to normalise therapy and encourage tradespeople to seek support.
JT Atkinson team tackles coast-to-coast triathlon for charity image
JT Atkinson team tackles coast-to-coast triathlon for charity
A team from JT Atkinson has completed a 226km coast-to-coast triathlon, to raise funds for children living without a bed of their own.
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