Features

Warranty: The new metric of business loyalty

23 March, 2026

Warranty, once a secondary concern, have evolved into a central pillar in fostering customer trust and loyalty. Darren Binns, National Sales Manager at Jefferson Tools, asserts that manufacturers must view warranties not as a fallback but as a strategic approach to ensuring reliability and nurturing long-term customer relationships.

Huws Gray Partnership Solutions and WPS supporting social housing delivery at scale

When WPS secured a major contract in 2023 to deliver repair and maintenance works across social housing stock in and around Croydon, it was clear that successful delivery was dependent on having the right supply chain partners in place from day one.

How NBP is navigating a price-driven market under pressure

While the building materials sector continues to face challenges, it is also adapting. Suppliers, such as NBP, and merchants are refining their operations, strengthening logistics and focusing on delivering value through service and reliability. These changes are helping to build a more resilient and responsive supply chain for the future.

What to expect at the NMBS Exhibition 2026

The NMBS Exhibition returns to the Coventry Building Society Arena on 15 and 16 April 2026.

Actis celebrates International Women’s Day

Actis will be marking International Women’s Day, on 8 March, by celebrating the achievements of some of the female members of its team across the UK.

EDI: Bridging the confidence gap can help to “Balance the Scales”

The Construction Inclusion Coalition (CIC) is using “Balance the Scales”, one of the UN's themes for International Women’s Day 2026, to highlight ways women in building materials can bridge ‘the confidence gap.’

The importance of a regional service for national merchants

Nigel Morris, National Sales Manager of West Fraser, discusses the benefits of merchants choosing suppliers that can deliver in smaller loads.

The truth about Thinner Leading Edge roof tiles

Russell Roof Tiles separates fact from fiction to prevent confusion for customers.

Investing in skills: the power of apprenticeships in securing the future of construction

Permavent highlights the work of Technical Manager Graham Copson whose career has embodied the power of education and apprenticeships in shaping the future of construction.

Ensuring your supply chain is CSR compliant is a commercial necessity

Robert Bennett, Head of Sales and Marketing for Rearo, examines how the commercial procurement landscape as shifted towards more responsible practices.

Cleaning mistakes to avoid to keep hi-vis reflective

The winter months and their wet and cold weather bring many challenges to the construction sector and its workers, with one of these being the need for extra workwear maintenance, says Adam Halewood, Head of Sales at Clothes2order.

Fixing the disconnect between sales and marketing

Practical fixes discussed by senior leaders includes things manufacturers and contractors can apply without big budgets: clearer ownership, faster follow-up expectations, and a simple feedback loop so teams know what’s converting and why.

Data driven fire door safety

Sue Corrick, Product Marketing Manager at Allegion UK, reviews the expanding role of digital information in building safety and how its use is transforming fire door hardware from passive fire protection to an active data source.

Trends for the construction sector in 2026

Zander Muego, Director at consultancy Thomas & Adamson, part of Egis Group, shares his thoughts on what might lie ahead in the short term for construction.

Rising to the challenge of extreme weather

As extreme and unpredictable weather becomes more frequent, Russell Roof Tiles is urging the construction sector to factor the changing climate into roof design from the specification stage.

Powering a new generation of building material resellers

Stephen Jones, Sales Director at NBP, reflects of customers' changing purchasing habits and how a new distribution model is emerging.

Beyond the traffic lights

Luke Brooks, Senior Commercial Manager Specialist for Packed Products at Tarmac, explores what the Government's new ratings reveal about the pressures facing the local road network and why potholes are a symptom of deeper, long-term challenges.

DAB Pumps urges merchants to prioritise compliance when selecting domestic circulating pumps

The company is encouraging all stakeholders in the supply chain to carry out due diligence.

Building careers in the merchant industry

Just over a decade and a half ago, David Harger walked into Harris & Bailey as a 16-year-old on work experience, clueless about the difference between a tee and an elbow. Recently made Sales Director, he reflects on his experience as a newcomer and offers some thoughts on how merchants can make the industry more inviting to young people.

The future for carbon negative building materials

West Fraser discusses the ecological challenges facing the construction industry, and how they can be mitigated by the use of carbon negative materials.

Latest issue

MARCH 2026

Features

Latest issue

Supplements

Events calendar