Professional Builders Merchant April 2024

DRAINAGE & WATER MANAGEMENT

2 5 C O S T BE N E F I T A N A LY S I S

M a r s h I n d u s t r i e s p u t s t h e c a s e f o r t h e n e w

M a r s h : E N C O l o w - c os t s e w a g e t r e a t m e n t p l a n t w h i c h h a s b e e n “ d e s i gn e d s p e c i f i c a l l y t o s u p p or t t h e U K m e rc h a n t s e c t or ”

2 6 A C C O R D I N G TO S C H E D U L E

T h e i m p o r t a n c e of S u D S a h e a d of t h e i m p l e me n t a t i o n of t h e F l oo d a n d Wa t e r

M a n a g e m e n t A c t S c h e d u l e 3 l a t e r t h i s y e a r

3 0 P R O D U C T S & S E RV I C E S

GARDENS & LANDSCAPING

3 3 W H AT L I E S B E N E ATH ?

H o w m e r c h a n t s c a n h e l p t h e i r t r a d e c u s t o m e r s c h oo s e t h e i r l a n d s c a p e f a b r i c w i t h c a re

3 6 M A N A G I N G W AT E R R U N O F F

T h e w a y s i n w h i c h S u s t a i n a b l e D r a i n a g e S y s t e m s c a n a ff e c t d e s i g n a n d p l a n n i n g .

3 8 T H E G R E AT O U T D O O RS

L o o ki n g a t s om e of t h e ke y g a rd e n t r e n d s fo r 2 0 2 4 , w i t h a f o c u s o n c o m p o s i t e d e c ki n g

4 0 P R O D U C T S & S E RV I C E S

PLUMBING & HEATING

4 3 P U S H I N G N E W B O U N D A RI E S P o l y p i p e B u i l d i n g P ro d u c t s re l e a s e s a n i m p r ov e d v e r s i on o f i t s p op u l a r P o l y P l u mb p u s h - f i t r a n ge

4 5 I N C O N T RO L H o w h e a t p u mp c o n t r ol l e r s a re n o w s m a r t e r a n d h a v e t h e p o t e n t i a l t o o p e n u p n e w b u s i n e s s o p p or t u n i t i e s fo r m e rc h a n t s a n d t h e i r i n s t a l l e r c u s t o me r s

4 8 V I R TU A L L E A R N I N G I m p e y o u t l i n e s i t s o n l i n e w e t r oo m t r a i n i n g p ro gr a mm e

5 0 S U S TA I N A B L E R E TR O F I T S O L U T I O N S E x p l o r i n g t h e i m p or t a n c e of r e t r of i t a n d r e n o v a t i o n a s t h e U K p ro g re s s e s on t h e r oa d t o n e t z e ro

5 2 P R O D U C T S & S E RV I C E S

SPECIAL REPORTS

CENTRE PAGES

TOP 20 MERCHANT COUNTDOWN

Tracking the performance of the sector’s largest merchant firms in a challenging year for the market.

11 NMBS EXHIBITION

Looking ahead to the merchant sector’s premier buying event.

20 PRIORITISING DOOR AND WINDOW SECURITY

How merchants can make the most of the spring home improvement season

22 ON THE MOVE

IHS takes the concept of drive-thru batching plants for concrete and screed one stage further with the introduction of a ‘mobile solution ’

Don’ t panic

From the acquisitional maelstrom of recent years, it is interesting to note that PBM’s annual ‘Top 20’ merchant listing (based on the turnover figures of the UK’s largest merchant sector businesses) retains a rather familiar feel in what has been an especially challenging year for the sector and the wider construction industry Indeed, our league table features the exact same names as last year with only a couple even shifting positions, whilst more significantly, no major ownership changes or new funding models come into play

However, given the merchants’ position as the fulcrum of construction industry supply chain, it is abundantly clear that the squeeze is being felt at both ends With subdued activity in housebuilding and the cost-of-living crisis curtailing the market for RMI, the merchant sector must also contend with the well-publicised pressures on materials prices and the broader impact of inflation on business costs

So, broadly speaking, whilst reported turnover numbers are relatively static year-on-year, this only ser ves to highlight the real pressures being placed on bottom lines As the BMBI and others have been consistently reporting, while sales volumes are down this is masked by inflated sales values

Given such challenges, it is unsurprising that ‘boosting efficiencies’ and ‘stripping out costs’ are a common refrain from our respondents In many cases, and especially at some of the largest firms, this has sadly included staffing reductions.

Yet despite the obvious common threads contained within the answers provided by the merchants for our Top 20 sur vey both from those who hit the threshold for inclusion and the firms narrowly missing out there is no

universal answer to the challenges the sector faces. Instead, encouragingly, there are plenty…

Considerable numbers, for example, continued to expand their networks by adding new depots Investment in estate upgrades and renovations was another common response, often incorporating additional in-branch services such as equipment hire facilities, kitchen & bathroom showrooms or dedicated renewables centres to attract existing and new customers alike Improving the ‘customer experience’ was a mantra repeated in many of our responses.

Whilst day to day difficulties cannot be ignored, what was clear was a confidence in the underlying strength of the sector The need to address the sustained housing shortage coupled with the requirement to upgrade the nation’s existing housing stock, for instance, are simply beyond question

Accordingly, and doubtless recognising the value of experience and the ongoing difficulties in terms of recruitment, far from reducing headcount, many merchants cited reinvigorated

Editor Paul Davies

Group Advertisement Manager

Craig Jowsey craig@hamerville co uk

Tel: 07900 248102

Advertisement Manager

Ian Duff

Tel: 01204 596633/ 07810 353525 probuilder@sky com

Design Adeel Qadri

Group Production Manager

Carol Padgett

Production Assistant

Kerri Smith

Circulation Manager

Kirstie Day

plans to invest in staff training and development. This includes apprenticeships and dedicated initiatives to recruit, retain and promote talented individuals including those from demographics still all too underrepresented in the industr y

Further ‘digital innovation’ was also referenced across several of the responses we received Enhancing back-office systems and investing in websites and ecommerce capabilities continues to be an area in which merchants feel they can drive efficiencies, improve ser vice levels and grow market share

Collating our annual Top 20 is always a valuable exercise, and we truly feel it offers a revealing temperature test of the industr y Whilst no-one can pretend it is easy out there, we are nothing but heartened by the sheer calm on display The steely resilience of the sector and its willingness to continually look for ward, to strive for improvement and to seek out new opportunities is the clearest marker one could hope for that 2024 can see a corner turned

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Driver training partnership

HGV driver training specialist HGVC has been appointed by MKM Building Supplies to train 54 drivers under the Government’s Skills Bootcamps in HGV Driving Under the contract, HGVC is delivering funded courses, with the Department for Education (DfE) providing a 70% contribution towards the cost of training and MKM covering the remainder MKM opted to outsource the training to HGVC for a fully managed ser vice, with the driver training specialist able to immediately onboard and book drivers for ever y element of licence acquisition, make use of government funding and offer training in locations across the UK James Clifford, CEO of HGVC, said: “Many UK firms that rely on drivers need to ability to ramp up their training capacity quickly in response to business growth. The Government’s Skills Bootcamps allows businesses across any sector to do just that, and we ’ re delighted to be working with MKM Building Supplies in this programme. ”

Stay on Schedule

With water security a pressing concern and the need to implement sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) soon to be a legal requirement in England, ACO used the recent Futurebuild exhibition as a launchpad for its new industr y guide ‘Implementing SuDS: Practical advice, key information and preparing developments for Schedule 3’

Written in line with ACO’s ongoing goal of making sustainable drainage more achievable, the free-to-download resource is designed to improve understanding of the incoming changes regarding Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. Under the legislation, incorporating SuDS will be a mandatory requirement for most new schemes in England, with implementation of the schedule expected to come into force later this year

Download your free copy of ACO’s SuDS Implementation Guide via www rdr link/mbc001

SELCO BUILDERS WAREHOUSE HOSTS PM AND CHANCELLOR ON BUDGET DAY

Downing Street day trip

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt visited Selco Builders Warehouse’s Old Kent Road branch on Wednesday 6th March, just hours after the Spring Budget was delivered to a packed House of Commons and a week before the depot marked its eleventh anniversar y

The leaders were given a tour of the central London branch, which is less than four miles from Downing Street The PM and Chancellor also took time to talk with Selco colleagues and to carr y out inter views with the countr y ’ s media from the branch

Selco CEO Howard Luft said it was an honour to be the focal point in the immediate aftermath of the Budget. He commented: “It was a privilege to show the Prime Minister and the Chancellor around one of our most centrally located London branches and to introduce them to some of our colleagues

“It created a real buzz of excitement amongst colleagues and customers, and we were able to offer an insight into the builders’ merchant industr y in general and Selco in particular The Budget is a highly significant event in British politics, and it was exciting for us to be involved in it ”

Checkout Sales Assistant Natasha Akhtar said: “It was an incredible experience to sit and have a cup of tea with the Prime Minister and the Chancellor. It was far from your normal working day and something I will remember for the rest of my life ”

Book now for BMF Conference

The Builders Merchants Federation has announced the theme, host and location for its Annual Conference and Awards in September Under the banner of Building a Material Difference, the event will be hosted by TV and radio presenter Colin Murray, whilst his BBC colleague, Radio 4’s Today programme host Justin Webb (pictured) has been named as a keynote speaker

The BMF’s annual flagship event will take place on 18 and 19 September at the Leonardo Hotel and Conference Venue at Hinckley Island in Leicestershire In addition to informative and entertaining conference sessions, interactive workshops and exhibition, the event encompasses sporting and social networking opportunities, including the BMF Golf Tournament and a black-tie Awards Dinner celebrating members’ achievements.

Insulation as the headline sponsor of its Conference and Awards for the second consecutive year

John Newcomb, BMF CEO said: “Our annual members’ conference continues to grow in its scope, scale and attendance. Every year we look to develop on the success of the last and we are looking forward to welcoming even more members in 2024 ”

In other news from the BMF, the organisation recently announced that Chadwicks Group one of Ireland’s leading builders’ merchants, with a network of over 50 branch locations has signed up for membership, significantly extending the trade body’s presence in Ireland

The BMF has also confirmed Unilin

For more information and to book your place at the BMF Annual Conference and Awards please use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc002 or contact Stacey.Lock@bmf.org.uk

Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt flanked by Selco’s Akpevwoghene Anighoro and Natasha Akhtar

Selco CEO Howard Luft with PM Rishi Sunak, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Charlene Kemal

Timber resilience

The latest statistics from Timber Development UK (TDUK) show that, despite the challenging end to 2023 seen across the construction sector, timber import volumes for the year were actually higher in three of the six product groups Overall, the volume of the main imported timber and panel products ended 2023 a little lower than in 2022, down by 2 2% on the previous 12 months.

However, the main timber and panel products sectors saw mixed fortunes throughout 2023. After a slow start, softwood imports gained impetus in the second half, to end the year 1% higher Hardwood, plywood, particleboard and engineered wood products imports were all lower in 2023, but OSB import volumes were significantly higher (up 19 4%) and MDF volumes, too, were 2.2% higher than in 2022.

Volumes in the first half of 2023 trailed those seen during 2022, but modest improvements in the second half of the year made up for much of this lost volume The scale of the cumulative deficit of all import volumes in 2023 compared to 2022 reduced each month starting from the middle of the year, until the final month when December brought weaker volumes across the board than were seen in December 2022

Import volumes in the final quarter of 2023 were 1% below the same quarter in 2022.

Last mile deliveries

Two specialist painting & decorating merchants Dulux Decorator Centres and Paintwell have each recently announced new partnerships with different ‘last mile deliver y ’ logistics businesses DDC, for example, has partnered with Gophr to expand its ‘Rapid’ sub-two-hour, deliver y ser vice for customers across the UK.

The relationship is intended to help expand the availability of sub-two-hour deliveries six days per week to almost three-quarters (71%) of DDC’s UK customer base, with a 90-minute turnaround available in city centres. The rapid delivery options are said to be a response to “the ever-changing needs of tradespeople, who are increasingly recognising that same-day, express, delivery can save them both time on site and money on fuel.”

Crucially, the four quarters of 2023 saw a greater stability return to the market, with substantially less volatility in imports compared to each of the four quarters of 2020, 2021 and 2022, during which time the timber market fluctuated significantly.

Nick Boulton, TDUK Head of Technical and Trade, said: “Now that we have the full import data for 2023, we can take a longer-term view of the import performances right across the main timber and panel products sectors Despite a difficult year in 2023, the growth path for nearly all timber and panel products remains positive

“As we move into 2024, the outlook for the timber sector is cautiously optimistic for the rest of this year, with indications of modest growth to come as the UK economy begins to recover from the technical recession we experienced at the end of 2023. The ability of timber products to weather the instability and adverse influences of the first three years of the 2020s and emerge with virtually all products remaining on a positive growth path is a testament to the strength and resilience of the UK timber industr y ”

TDUK members can read the full report via www.rdr.link/mbc003

Meanwhile, PaintWell has teamed up with TradeKart in a new collaboration set to offer on-demand availability across the North West including Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, Bromborough, Warrington and Bolton This strategic partnership will enable painters and decorators to access over 5,000 products from PaintWell’s extensive range directly through the TradeKart app, guaranteeing deliveries to their door in as little as one hour

UAP expands into new 120,000ft² HQ

The specialist in locks and hardware for doors and windows has expanded into a new 120,000ft² building in Bur y, Greater Manchester. The £750,000 investment sees UAP relocate from sites in Radcliffe and Whitefield, bringing all its processes under one roof.

As well as improving efficiency and connectivity between departments, the Orbital 60 building in Dumers Lane has more than doubled UAP’s stockholding capacity whilst order fulfilment for all seven UAP brands has been streamlined through specialised racking as well as new picking systems and software

The building also houses the company ’ s production lines, testing centres and training facilities, and the move follows a year which has seen UAP’s overall business grow by more than 50%

Better connected

Fergus, the job management software specialist for the trade, says it is making life even easier for hard working professionals with its enhanced merchant and wholesaler integrations. Over 26 electrical wholesalers, building and plumbing merchants are helping businesses to manage their (merchant) supplier interactions, invoicing and job costing quickly, saving them time and money

Offering advantages for the trade and merchants alike, James Chillman, UK Country Manager for Fergus, said: “Our integrations include partnerships with major industry suppliers such as Yesss Electrical, Rexel, Edmundson Electrical, CEF, Travis Perkins, Wolseley, Williams, Graham, Plumbase, BSS, MKM, Screwfix and City Plumbing to name but a few

“Our supplier integrations allow automatic import of supplier invoices, directly matching line items to the appropriate jobs This saves significant time as the painstaking process of manual invoice entry is eliminated, freeing up evenings and weekends that were once consumed by administrative tasks.”

M A R K ET M O N I T O R

in association with

State of play

The latest statement from the co-chairs of the Construction Leadership Council’s Material Supply Chain Group (formerly Product Availability Group) — BMF CEO John Newcomb and Peter Caplehor n, CEO of the Construction Products Association reveals “good levels of product availability and prices remaining flat or falling slightly.”

As reported previously (in the CLC’s final bulletin for 2023, published in December), the easing of pressure on product availability has largely been driven by continuing reduced demand across the different regions and sectors of the UK market, with those supplying housebuilders the worst hit

New housebuilding continues to be held back by high interest rates and planning challenges. Larger builders do not anticipate a second half upturn at this stage Regional mid-cap builders, however, cite the availability of small sites as their number one concern but expect to maintain current output levels throughout the year

Any risks to product supply from the disruption in the Red Sea are yet to materialise, although the Group is monitoring the availability and cost of supplies from the Indian subcontinent and Asia such as decorative sandstone, plywood and sheet materials, hand tools, ironmongery and electrical goods. A longer sea journey of 10-15 days has led to delays in deliveries, so the main concern here relates to five-fold price increases stemming from increased shipping and container costs for these products.

The Group is also monitoring the supply of semi-conductors, which has been under pressure since the start of the pandemic. With four major design

and manufacturing facilities in Israel, the conflict there has the potential to add further pressure on supply, and lead to increased prices

Brick manufacturers have adjusted capacity to meet anticipated demand for 2024, while balancing stock levels. They recommend that all customers plan ahead, placing forward orders to maintain supply.

“Brick manufacturers have adjusted capacity to meet anticipated demand for 2024, while balancing stock levels. They recommend that all customers plan ahead, placing for ward orders to maintain supply.”

There is good availability of aggregates, cement and concrete, with demand not forecast to markedly improve until 2025 in spite of the current pipeline of infrastructure projects. There is also a plentiful supply of steel, but the supply chain here is under financial strain due to the downtur n in demand

Otherwise, there are concerning reports that late payment for materials

is creeping up in a number of regions, although it is being managed at this stage Obtaining trade credit insurance, however, is a bigger issue Firms complain of coverage costing more and being reduced or withdrawn as insurers become more nervous about the level of construction insolvencies

The joint chairmen of this Group are meeting with members of the Association of British Insurers to promote a greater understanding of building material supply within the wider construction landscape, with a view to changing insurers’ current blanket approach towards risk management.

Finally, the issues of labour costs, availability and skills shortages continue to rank high for most of the Group This ranges from concerns around a lack of resources amongst building control teams from 6 April to difficulties finding enough qualified site staff to support the transition to newer, more sustainable technologies and products.

These concer ns have been shared with the wider CLC and we are continuing to have discussions with Gover nment and the Building Safety Regulator.

n This statement was published on the CLC website on 21 Februar y 2024. For more information and further updates, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc004

Coventr y calling

With approaching three hundred supplier and s er vice provider exhibitors of fering a host of exclusive of fers, deals, dis counts and extra rebates, it could b e argued that indep endent merchants simply cannot af ford to miss out on a visit to the annual NMBS Exhibition On top of taking advantage of thos e ‘ on the day’ promotions, the e vent of fers a fantastic chance to network and build ne w connec tions.

Last year ’ s show, for example, was said to deliver record numbers as the industr y turned out in force to mark the 60th anniversar y of NMBS Indeed, more than 280 exhibitors, 558 independent merchant member companies and 1,084 visitors passed through the Coventr y Building Society Arena doors in 2023

NMBS CEO Chris Hayward commented: “Our merchant members earned over £2.5 million in exhibition rebate from purchases made during the 2023 event alone The NMBS Exhibition is an unmissable opportunity for independent merchants and suppliers to come together to take advantage of deals, offers and networking opportunities ”

In addition, speaking shortly after last year ’ s event, NMBS Commercial Director Andy Hextall said: “The NMBS Exhibition is all about making new connections and engaging with suppliers and members, and the feedback we ’ ve had is that this year has been better than ever Many of our new suppliers attending for the first time have also said they have been over whelmed with the scale of the event, especially post-pandemic.”

And from the exhibitor point of view, anticipation is building with only a few

weeks to go For example, Lee Parsons, CEO of Arctic Hayes, said: “Our merchant customers are so important to us We are still a people industr y that thrives on keeping contact with each other and the NMBS Show is a key part of that. The Arctic Hayes team are really looking for ward to greeting many NMBS members on the stand ”

The s entiments were echo ed by Dean Heathf ield, C ommercial Direc tor of Talon. He stated: “We are really lo oking for ward to s eeing as many merchants as p ossible at the show The NMBS Show is a great chance to s ee our pro duc ts up clos e and catch up with s ome of our leading indep endent merchant par tners.”

Inte nd e d to e n abl e me rch ant s and suppl i e rs m a ke t he t wo - d ay s a s pro du c t ive a s p o ss ibl e, t he N M B S E x h ibit i on App w i l l a l s o b e rel au nche d for t he 2 0 2 4 e ve nt T h i s w i l l help sp e e d up t he ord e r i ng

In what is surely the premier show for the nation’s independent building, timber and plumbing merchants, this year’s NMBS Exhibition is set to take place on 10–11 April 2024 at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

pro c e ss , c ol l e c t me mb e r d at a and supp or t c om me rc i a l c on ne c t i ons

Finally, following the first day of the event, NMBS will be hosting its annual Gala Dinner. The organisation teases that this year ’ s entertainment is “set to be memorable” once again, with previous years bringing names such as Harr y Redknapp and Frank Bruno to the stage, not to mention last year ’ s 60th anniversar y star turn, Michael McIntyre.

Chris added: “ The Gala Dinner presents a fantastic opportunity to foster connections between independent merchants and suppliers, enabling them to navigate the challenges of the upcoming year. ”

n For more information on the exhibitors, event offers and how to register for free via the NMBS Exhibition website, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc005

Taking the chequered flag

Featuring more than one hundred suppliers and service providers, the recent IBC Conference returned to the awe-inspiring Silverstone GP race circuit, followed by a spectacular gala dinner and awards evening at the nearby Whittlebury Park hotel. PBM reports.

Now encompassing almost 230 merchant members who trade from a combined c.350 branches, IBC marked its first 15 years in style as busy supplier stands and a host of F1 themed activities ensured the engines were truly revving in anticipation within the twin exhibition halls at Silverstone

Offering independent merchant members of the fast-growing buying group the chance to connect with leading suppliers, engage with the latest new products and take advantage of exclusive promotional deals, the Conference also provided a great opportunity for merchants to learn more about the expanding range of business support services made available through IBC

In addition, the event was used to showcase the advantages for merchants in fully engaging with their IBC Member Portal Account which has been developed to provide comprehensive supplier partner information including financial and rebate details, access to info on thousands of products and more on additional benefits such as marketing collateral, ecommerce solutions and IBC’s unique Brickfinder service

Addressing delegates at the Awards Dinner that followed the exhibition element of the Conference, IBC Managing Director Paul Read summarised the organisation’s ongoing vision for further growth and being, as its strapline suggests, “ more than a buying group ” Highlighting the advantages of collaborating with supplier partners and leveraging the business benefits that can be gleaned from fully engaging with its services package, Paul asserted how IBC’s proposition can help

members develop the extra “competitive edge to promote your independent brand and unlock you potential.”

A key element of the evening was in recognising the dedication and performance of some of the buying group ’ s high-flyers through the IBC Achievement Awards Covering a range of categories and spanning both merchant members and supplier partners, the winners were:

Best Self-Select Area

Winner : Cumbria Building Supplies

Nominees: Nichols & Clarke, All Trades Supplies

Best L andscape Display

Winner : County Town Aggregates

Nominees: Thompsons of Crews Hill, Cumbria Building Supplies

Environmental Initiative

Winner : Nicholls & Clarke

Nominees: Build It, ABC Depot

Marketing Initiative

Winner : Bolton Builders Merchants

Nominees: All Trades Supplies, Payless DIY

Young Achiever

Winner : Arron Green, Selhurst Timber

Nominees: Harvey Mattu, Payless DIY; Kieran Jones, SWM Insulations

Account Manager

Winner : Adam Crossan, Toolbank

Nominees: Kev Warner, U-Value Insulation; Ian Stevenson, Mannok

Ser vice Provider

Winner : Worldpay

Nominees: Fleetmaxx, Utilink

Supplier of the Year

Winner : Mannok

Nominees: IKO, Siniat

Member of the Year

Winner : Payless DIY

Nominees: Bedford Timber, Selhurst Timber

n For more information on the IBC Buying Group and its business solutions for merchant members, enter the shortcode www rdr link/mbc006

MERCHANT FOCUS

CITY PLUMBING BASILDON BRANCH AND BOURNEMOUTH RENEWABES EVENT

Coupled with a Renewables Centre, Underfloor Heating Store and The Bathroom Showroom, City Plumbing has opened a new branch in Basildon in the last few weeks The business has also revealed details of its latest Renewables Trade Day, held recently at its depot in Bournemouth

With the doors opening for business on Monday 26th February and having moved to a new location at Carnival Park on Carnival Close, City Plumbing says its brand new, larger Basildon branch will be able to offer greater stock availability to customers The depot has also created six additional roles within the Basildon area

Hemal Morjaria, MD of City Plumbing’s Renewables and Electrical division, said: “This flagship branch gives our customers a broader range and greater availability of stock. Coupled with this, through the launch of our second Renewables Centre, we’re demonstrating our ongoing commitment to a low carbon future with a host of sustainable heating and plumbing products on display Our aim is to empower the trade to make a difference when it comes to renewable technologies ”

Also at the end of February, City Plumbing hosted a renewables trade event at its Bournemouth branch The business, which has been hosting Electrification of Heat events nationwide, focused on solar in addition to air source heat pumps and accessories at the event with Bournemouth described as a “renewables hotspot in the UK” due to its south coast location

BEESLEY & FILDES

SILVA TIMBER PRODUCTS

PBM considers some of the latest news stories from across the merchant sector including new branch openings, acquisitions, range expansions and more.

MKM

OCEANAIR ACQUISITION

MKM Building Supplies has made a further move into the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) sector, following the acquisition of Oceanair UK. Established in 2002 and operating from locations in Mansfield and Crawley, the business has built a reputation as a specialist distributor for market leading brands Daikin, Fujitsu and Panasonic

Oceanair will continue its operations under its existing name, ensuring continuity for customers and suppliers whilst former owner Tony Evanson will remain involved in the business “for the foreseeable future,” providing support during the transition

Rob Barnes, MKM’s Business Development Director leading the acquisition, said: “This acquisition fits perfectly with MKM’s plans for expansion, allowing us to branch out further into the HVAC industry Continuing to work closely with the current Oceanair team guarantees a seamless transition, customers and suppliers can expect business as usual.

“Oceanashp co uk, part of Oceanair, specialises in heating and concentrates on designing, supplying, commissioning, and supporting air-to-water heat pumps Its Heat Pump Training Academy conducts courses on design and installation and has recently earned recognition as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ by Panasonic This fits perfectly with our commitment of offering more sustainable options to customers.”

In early March meanwhile, MKM opened the 125th branch in its network with a new depot in Colchester, Essex creating 20 new jobs

SELCO CHILTERN BRICK & TILE PARTNERSHIP

Following on from recent tie-ups with HSS Hire and kitchen specialists Magnet, Selco Builders Warehouse says it has taken another step towards laying the foundations for a successful 2024 by significantly developing its brick offering It has launched ‘The Brick Store’ in four branches brought to life by show walls featuring more than 200 different product samples to mark the start of a new partnership with Chiltern Brick and Tile

The concept has been initially launched in Enfield, Milton Keynes, Hemel Hempstead and St Albans, with plans for a further expansion across Selco’s branch network as the year progresses

Howard Luft, the merchant’s CEO, said: “The Brick Store is taking our offering to tradespeople to the next level and securing Selco’s place as a go-to destination for bricks We now offer more than 200 bricks from a wide range of different manufacturers which will either be available in branch to collect immediately or delivered to our customers’ jobs within a matter of days in the quantities they require

“We are constantly developing our services to make working life as convenient as possible for tradespeople and this is another move to ensure they can access everything they need for their jobs under one roof ”

The independent merchant has recently acquired part of Silva Timber, which went into administration in October 2023, adding a specialist timber range to its portfolio and appointing two new employees The deal sees Beesley & Fildes acquire a range of sustainably-sourced products from the Widnes-based business, including external cladding, coated wood, hardwood decking, slatted screen fencing and cedar shingles.

Having worked at Silva Timber for nine and seven years respectively, former employees Andrea Rolt and Jenny Merritt have also joined the merchant as specialist timber sales representatives

Commercial Director James Beesley said: “As a local business with complementary products, Silva Timber presented an opportunity for us to significantly enhance our portfolio. For the first time, we can now offer a specialised timber range comprising the highest quality hard and soft woods

“The arrival of Andrea and Jenny further strengthens our offer With specialist expertise and experience, they are great assets to our growing team ”

ROBERT PRICE TERRY HOWELL ACQUISITION

Independent builders’ merchant Robert Price has announced the purchase of Terry Howell Timber & Builders’ Merchants for an undisclosed sum The long-established family business, with branches in Newport and Pontypool, will continue to trade under the Terry Howell brand in the short term as the Monmouthshirebased merchant works to ensure its smooth and efficient integration into the Robert Price Group.

Robert Price currently has 29 branches across South Wales and Herefordshire, including 19 traditional merchant yards and a number of specialist branches including three roofing yards, two timber specialists, kitchen and bathroom showrooms, a Sustainable Energy centre, an insulation division and an agricultural supplies branch. They operate under the Robert Price, Tudors and Gower Timber brands

William Godfrey, MD of Robert Price, said: “As a local, family business, Terry Howell shares many of Robert Price’s strengths; particularly a committed staff team, integrity within our local communities and a strong relationship with our loyal customer base. We look forward to building on these strengths as we integrate the Terry Howell business into our own ”

IBMG

LONDON MARATHON CHALLENGE

Parker Building Supplies Maidstone’s Branch Manager Luke Tuffield and Mark Barrett, Branch Director of Fairalls in Taylors Hill, have signed up to run the London Marathon to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust a charity that IBMG and its brands have supported in recent years The friends from Maidstone describe themselves as “complete running novices” and meet up before 6am twice a week for a training run and also do further weekly training runs individually Mark said: “It is a big commitment, and often difficult to get out of bed on a dark morning to go running, but we both want to do something great for Teenage Cancer Trust and are 100% committed. Helping to raise funds to support young people aged 13-24 diagnosed with cancer is a motivation like no other!”

Teenage Cancer Trust is a charity dedicated to helping children and their families who are confronted with childhood cancer Every day, seven young people aged 13-24 hear the words, “You have cancer” and they will each need specialised nursing care and support to get them through it.

n TCT is the only UK charity dedicated to meeting this vital need, so please pledge your support to Luke and Mark’s fundraising efforts via their Just Giving page here: www.rdr.link/mbc007

Luke Brown, MD of Terr y Howell with Robert Price Sales Director David Pattison

T R A I N I N G Z O N E

In another excellent illustration that apprenticeships are fantastic training vehicles for people at every stage of their career, the BMF is offering a new Level 3 Apprenticeship programme that will help merchants build an experienced and high performing customer service sales team.

De velop e d and r un by LEAP, Apprent iceships and E arly

C are ers, t he Customer Sa les E xcel lence prog ramme is desig ne d for exist ing st af f w it h at le ast six mont hs exp er ience in a c ustomer facing role w ho are lo ok ing to improve t heir k now le dge and sk i l ls. For example, a t ypic a l c andid ate may a lre ady ac t as a refer ra l or es c a l at ion p oint for c ustomers w it h more complex or te chnic a l quer ies

The content of t he ne w prog ramme w i l l t a ke t hem to t he next le vel in t heir engagement w it h c ustomers as wel l as supp or t ing t heir organis at ion’s business st rateg y, v ision and va lues

C over ing ef fe c t ive communic at ion, conf lic t management and s a les and closing te chniques, t he prog ramme not on ly e quips c andid ates w it h t he sk i l ls t he y ne e d to b e an exp er t w it hin t heir c ur rent j ob role, but it c an a ls o supp or t t heir f uture de velopment w it h p otent i a l fol low-on t raining prog rammes for Te am L e ader or Sa les E xe c ut ive.

Mar i anna Pe et, BMF Apprent iceship Manager, expl aine d: “Ever y c andid ate w i l l b e supp or te d by a LEAP t raining

The recipe for customer sales success

sp e ci a list t hroug hout t he 13-mont h prog ramme w ho w i l l t a ke account of t heir p ers ona l de velopment go a ls and c are er aspirat ions.

“Those taking this apprenticeship will continue to work in their current sales or customer facing role, which means they can immediately start putting their learning into action and seeing results as they develop their understanding of the customer experience and the effect a positive service culture has on the whole organisation ”

will keep them coming back and staying happy is a key element of the programme

“ There is also a focus on continuous improvement and problem solving. Candidates will learn how to analyse, use and share information on what customers really want, then think ahead and suggest ideas for the future that will benefit both the customer and the business.”

Throug hout t he prog ramme, prac t ic a l t raining and t he or y is delivere d v i a webinar, w it h regu l ar s essions w it h a p ers ona l LEAP co ach to t rack prog ress and prov ide adv ice L e ar ners w i l l c apture t heir ne w k now le dge and underst anding in an on line p or t folio, w it h a f ina l ass essment proj e c t at t he c u lminat ion of t he cours e

The Customer S a l es Pro g r amme r uns throug hout the ye ar and c andi d ates may join one of the re g u l ar inta kes, but there is no time li ke the pres ent!

n BMF members wanting to enrol on this programme and drive sales for their business should email

Marianna Peet@bmf org uk

Hannah B enford, Apprenticeship C ommunications Lead at LEAP, gave a little more detail about the programme content She said: “Understanding different types of customers, and what

n BMF training ranges from formal Apprenticeships and, with leading British universities, sector-specific Diplomas, Degrees and a Masters Degree in Merchant Leadership and Strategy, to online product knowledge

FACE TO FACE

With over thirty-five years ’ experience in the industry, FVTH is an established HGV contract hire and rental company based in the south of England The partnerships it has forged with loyal customers are said to be a testament to its expertise and knowledge in terms of keeping up to date with legislative challenges and keeping vehicles on the road An independent SME that offers low-cost, flexible contract-hire solutions supported by short-term rental options, FVTH can act as the main fleet controller, or just help your own fleet champions via a service said to deliver “true supply chain assistance.”

PBM speaks with Tim Houghton, Managing Director of FVTH

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

AI have been in Rental and Contract

Hire all my working life, starting out at British Road Services (BRS) in 1987 as a traffic clerk This was set up by my brother who told me “You can’t sit around all summer waiting to go to college, I’ve got you a summer job for six weeks at BRS ”

I was there for 14 years!

I first met Jim Brown (co-founder of FVTH) many years ago when working for Ryder I sold him some secondhand vehicles I knew FVTH throughout my time selling Contract Hire around the south and was always amazed at the types of customers it had and the service levels it achieved

QHow do you feel the sector has changed in recent years?

AThe transport industry is going through its biggest change for decades Considering commercial vehicles are the lifeblood of the UK supply chain, the government seem hell bent on making it as difficult and expensive for operators and purchasers as possible

The new DVS legislation starting in October 2024 is a prime example and will add more cost to a vehicle, which will be passed on to the operator I am not sure how they expect rental and leasing companies to make their fleets compliant, even when working closely with their preferred supplier, within the timeframe Add to that the downtime and inconvenience to the customers’ operation

As usual, they have set the date of the change and still haven’t communicated how the vehicles will be registered

We also have massive skills shortages with drivers, mechanics,

transport managers and general staff being encouraged into our industry This is, and will be, a bigger problem in the coming years

QWhat are the current challenges facing your company?

AThe biggest challenge is around alternative fuel vehicles and all the new legislation around zero emission from tail pipes, now required from 2035 (closer than you think ) The concept of electric vehicles will impact all operators and the way they run their fleets

“Considering commercial vehicles are the lifeblood of the UK supply chain, the government seem hell bent on making it as difficult and expensive for operators and purchasers as possible.”

This will need a total mindset change from the industry as it does not just affect the vehicles but will change scheduling plans, routing, right through to maintenance

Although technology is moving fast there are still a lot of unanswered questions around alternative fuel vehicles If I am honest, I cannot see the infrastructure being ready in time

As we get nearer to 2035, we may need to have a big re-think, and really

understand the impact this will have on the UK distribution network and therefore the economy

Q

And what do you see as being the impact on the merchant sector?

AThere’s currently a lot of talk around the performance of the alternative fuel vehicle but very little about the ancillary equipment, i e cranes Merchant vehicles spend a lot of time idling and using the crane, and whilst some crane manufacturers are addressing this now, it will add more cost to the capital and I’m guessing the power source will be a challenge, as it may affect the charging of the actual vehicle

The increased cost of vehicles currently, coupled with merchants’ own overhead challenges, will invariably push the product sales price up again Yet another difficulty for merchants who already work to tight budgets

QWhat has been the highlight of your career to date?

ATaking over the helm at FVTH

Every day we do something different, whist the team we ’ ve created and the expert knowledge we have serves our customers well Developing close customer relationships and supporting fleets allows us to continue to grow our business, as well as develop our team as individuals

I had worked in corporate all my life and probably underestimated smaller rental and contract hire businesses over that time Importantly, they we offer something very different to the big corporates and it is essential that there is choice for the customer

n For more information on the ser vices provided by FVTH, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc008

Rex Nye has joined NMBS as Digital Director, a newly created position that signals a new, digital-focused direction for the organisation As part of his role, Rex will be implementing NMBS’s new digital strategy, developing its data analytics and business insights capabilities, and evolving its B2B Marketplace, OnePlace

Working with NMBS as both a supplier and a member, Rex has more than 12 years ’ experience in the sector and is the former MD of the Nye Group, encompassing truss and metal web joist supplier TrussTec, Fixings & Powertool Center, and NYEs Building Supplies He was also an executive board member of the NBG for more than five years

awsons has named Jeremy Norris as Managing Director aving joined the company in 1994, Jeremy has served in a umber of roles including over fifteen years as Commercial Director, and most recently alongside CFO Paul Rushent as oint MD

Jeremy said: “I am honoured to have the confidence of he Board It has been invaluable working alongside Paul over the past three years, but our size and structure now requires him to increase his focus upon finance and legal requirements I look forward to working with all my fellow Directors in steering the business through the exciting growth years ahead ”

Okarno, which rebranded from Artex in January, has appoi Jenny Khmel as Head of Portfolio: Commercial Departmen Jenny will provide a vital role in supporting Okarno’s product management, brand marketing and sales teams to drive further business growth

With over 20 years ’ experience in global Category and Brand Management for major brands, Jenny brings a wealt of knowledge and skills in product development, portfolio management and market analysis to Okarno

Filstorage has bolstered its commercial team with two key appointments Craig Jackman joins the East Yorkshire business as Regional Account Manager for the South East while Phil Hatch takes over the position in the North East, replacing Gary Winter who retired last year after almost a decade with the company

Craig joined the storage and racking industry five years ago after taking a role at Anco Storage, where he worked as a supplier to Filstorage Phil also brings experience from a range of sectors, including tool and plant hire, materials handling equipment and racking solutions for the builders’ merchant and logistics industries

Ian Dean has joined Aggregate Industries as Managing Director of its Concrete Products division, and will be part of the company ’ s Executive Committee The division encompasses the company ’ s concrete blocks, walling and roofing products as well as its Charcon commercial landscaping arm and Bradstone domestic landscaping business

Ian started his career at Evode (now Bostik), before joining Knauf UK and progressing to become its MD for the UK and Ireland In 2020, he joined Marshalls PLC, initially leading a number of acquisition businesses before becoming MD of its Landscape & Building Products division

Prioritising door and window security

As we enter the spring months, many homeowners cho os e to invest in home improvements such as ess ential maintenance, renovations b oth internally and externally, and much needed s ec urity upgrades And w hile 2023 was a turbulent year regarding mor tgages and cost of living w hich had a signif icant ef fec t on the numb er of p eople cho osing to undergo work on their 2024 lo oks s et to b e a more p osi for home improvements, with p eop deciding to renovate and upgrade their prop er ties instead of cho osing to move

Ultimately, this will create more opportunities for trade professionals and the merchants they buy from

Inadequately secured doors and windows remain susceptible to burglars In fact, NimbleFins Insurance reported more than half o burglars gain entr y via the front doo (58 7%) and 1 in 5 burglars gain entr y through a window

specific areas of the home, ensuring they can provide essential security products ahead of the seasonal demand

Door Security

D o ors are of ten one t he f irst t hings burg l ars t r y to gain ent r y to a prop er t y, w het her it’s t he f ront do or, b ack do or or any ot her side-do ors The y are a ls o li kely

Matt Claydon, Head of Trade at Yale UK, shares his advice on how merchants and trade professionals can make the most of the spring home improvement season, focusing on improving door and window security.

e volve and de velop, ensuring the hig hest le vel of quality and s ec urity for homes. Trade professionals will always b e lo oking to provide the maximum le vel of protec tion for their c ustomers and s o for merchants it’s imp or tant to b e able to provide their c ustomers with the hig hest quality pro duc ts.

Accordingly, door and window security continues to remain high on the list of essential improvements for homeowners. For merchants, it’s important to understand what products should be prioritised for these

do or mats or hidden b ehind or under pl ant p ots To ensure sp are ke ys aren’t found, inst a l ling a ke y s afe f rom a t r uste d brand is an ef fe c t ive met ho d of ke eping any sp are hous e ke ys s afely lo cke d away.

As thie ves have b ecome smar ter, s o have lo cks S ec urity standards have continued to

For c y linders, t he Br it ish St and ards Inst itut ion’s (BSI) rat ing system ma kes it e asier for t rade professiona ls to underst and w hich pro duc ts prov ide t his hig h le vel of s e c ur it y Sp e cif ic a l ly de velop e d for us e in t he UK, t his at ing system enables t rade rofessiona ls to deter mine if t heir hos en lo ck has achie ve d a suit able er t if ic at ion, ensur ing p e ace of mind for t heir c ustomers and g t he y are prov iding a hig h ly o ck ing system

snapping continues to be a common sed by burglars to gain access to a property, a fast attack method which takes seconds to deploy However, the most secure cylinders available on the market in the UK are ‘3-star’ rated and TS007 Kitemarked which highlights that the lock can provide protection against a range of cylinder attack methods, including lock snapping

For a high quality 3-star cylinder it should have several lines of defence; Anti-Snap, Anti-Pick, Anti-Bump, Anti-Screw, Anti-Pull and Anti-Drill all of which protect the home from common tactics, which are prevalent in the spring, but also year round

As home improvements projects begin, it’s important to raise awareness of the need to ensure locks are meeting the required standard. And this provides merchants with potential profitable opportunities, encouraging customers to stock up on the latest 3-star cylinder products from trusted brands in the industr y

Window Security

Similar to door security, windows are regularly targeted for gaining access to a home with burglars seeking out open windows, or windows left unlocked or ajar which can easily be forced open Even the most diligent homeowners can forget to lock their windows, so additional security surrounding the property’s windows is essential for a secure home and can also provide additional opportunities for merchants.

Upgrading window locks is a simple improvement for making windows more secure, but it’s essential these new locks are locked and secured when the windows are closed Homeowners want security products which are simple to control and provide added convenience, and this can allow for potential upsell opportunities for merchants Additional security for windows can provide hugely beneficial upgrades, devices such as window sensors can allow for the homeowner to be alerted as soon as motion is detected in the home, and for trade professionals this gives the opportunity to offer additional products, ser vices and peace of mind to their customers

Door locks and windows locks are the foundation of a home’s security, and ensuing these meet the required standard is essential Additional layers of security, such as smart alarm, smart cameras and smart sensors can be added on later For merchants, having essential door and window security as well as smart security products as part of their robust security offering can create a more rounded package and greater offering, which will meet customer demands

n For more information on Yale’s range of security solutions and support ser vices for merchants, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc009

There are no others like us…

Helping merchants grow their business

Jason Smith, Managing Director at Okarno, looks at what’s been happening in the rebranded business since the last update.

Following the rebranding of our business to Okarno earlier this year, there have been a number of exciting developments The most noticeable of these is the launch of a new website www.okarno.com which is now live and provides customers with a user-friendly platform to explore our products and services

We have worked hard to ensure that it reflects our rebranded identity and showcases the value we bring to our customers The site is still being updated daily, so feedback and comments are welcome

In addition, we have expanded our product offering. This month, we unveil our latest addition to the range Dalapro, a highly effective filler that can be easily rolled onto plaster or concrete walls and finished with a spatula or trowel

Merchants and decorator centres who are looking to pick up additional sales from customers seeking an effective roller filler can now order Dalapro in full or mixed pallet quantities.

This latest product addition aligns with our ethos of combining market-leading trade brands and delivering them directly through three ser vice offerings: single pallets, mixed pallet loads, or small parcels

As part of an ongoing process, we are always looking to engage with our customers to gather feedback and understand their requirements better. This has been crucial in shaping our strategies and decision-making processes and our commitment to exceeding customer expectations remains at the core of ever ything we do

As we continue on this journey of rebranding and growth, I am positive about the opportunities ahead for Okarno and our customers. Our new website and latest new product introduction are just the beginning of a series of initiatives aimed at helping customers grow their businesses

I look for ward to sharing more updates with you soon

n For more information on Okarno, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc116

On the move

With a growing number of merchants successfully launching drive-thru batching plants for concrete and screed, Integrated Hydraulic Solutions states that it has taken the concept one stage further with the introduction of a ‘mobile solution’. PBM reports.

Drive-thru areas are now a common sight across the countr y due to their ability to streamline the ordering process for any industr y, from fast food or a quick coffee As showcased in the pages of PBM over the last year or so, the concept has come to UK builders’ merchants in the form of self-ser vice batching plants for concrete, mortar and screed where customers can receive their exact requirements at the push of a button

Now, IHS UK says that it has taken this idea one step further with the creation of the Conqueror XL trailer. Established in 2015 and with a wealth of experience and expertise across different manufacturing sectors, the business lays claim to a “strong track record of success stories in bespoke machiner y builds, tailored to match the exact requirements of the job ”

Turning its attention to drive-thru innovations as its next endeavour, the Conqueror XL is billed as a brand-new concept that gives companies all the functionality and benefits of a stationar y

drive-thru plant but with the bonus of being able to be easily transported between different sites.

IHS argues that its new solution gives builders’ merchants the opportunity to be at the “forefront of the industr y with a streamlined, seamless and simplified purchasing process with the unique ability to be easily moved around the countr y when the requirement arises ” Moreover, the manufacturer asserts that this will drastically reduce the expenditure a merchant needs to make “ as there is little need to purchase a stationar y drive-thru unit for ever y branch.”

The mobile Conqueror XL can be programmed to handle a variety of mixes due to its top-loaded bins and separate systems to house liquid mixtures such as accelerators, retarders, air entering agents and modified latex for more speciality jobs IHS says it has also ensured the trailer is as eco-friendly as possible as it has no wastage, with exact measurements for any job no matter what the size.

The vehicle itself features a 1,800 litre water tank, holds material for 10m³ of concrete and “boasts an impressive 12-20m³ per hour throughput.” Concrete mixed in the batch process is said to be of the highest

quality, meeting the EN-206 standards, whilst the Conqueror XL trailer only requires one operator for the entire process from deliver y to end of transaction

Highlighting the cost margins for merchant businesses, Integrated Hydraulics Solutions Director Nick Doe said: “I think this could be a game changer in the UK builders’ merchant market Customers want the easiest transaction possible and not at the expense of efficiency or a diminished final product Our Conqueror XL trailer not only ensures that the customer is left with the exact product they require, in the most streamlined manner, but the builders’ merchant themselves can solidify their company as an industr y leader, whilst at the same time saving unnecessar y costs on multiple stationer y drive-thru plants ”

Cost benefit analysis

PBM catches up on the latest news and developments at Marsh Industries, following the manufacturer’s launch of the new Marsh:ENCO low-cost sewage treatment plant which the firm says has been “designed specifically to support the UK merchant sector.”

It once again seems to have been a busy period for Marsh Industries, with the leading provider of off-mains wastewater treatment solutions continuing to invest in new product development whilst additionally outlining its support for merchants and the wider construction the sector in numerous ways For example, it was shortlisted for the 2023 BMF Supplier Member Engagement Award in recognition of its “dedication to fostering strong relationships and industr y collaboration” through the active participation in BMF meetings, events and forums e business has also recently been named as a Corporate Supporter of the Institute of Builders Merchants (IOBM)

At the end of Februar y meanwhile, Marsh supported the IBC buying group exhibition and post-event awards dinner whilst its website www.marshindustries.co.uk continues to detail a number of support materials including literature and technical downloads alongside a comprehensive video librar y and the shorter, ‘ Team Break Training’ series of films first developed during the pandemic when in-person sessions were curtailed

In addition, merchant users can still access the Trade Talk bite-sized, two- to three-minute video clips which offer a succinct summar y of the benefits of Marsh products and can be used for trade counter displays as well as in-house product training to give merchants and distributors a better understanding of the portfolio

Product development

e supplier’s latest new product introduction of the Marsh:ENCO is intended to enable merchants to “compete effectively against non-conforming sewage treatment plants whilst delivering superior performance in compliance with BS EN

“With this low-cost system, merchants can provide cost-effective alternatives to their clients without compromising on quality.”

12566-3 standards.” e plant is said to offer advanced capabilities that surpass alternative solutions, allowing merchants to meet the diverse requirements of various sewage treatment projects

Marsh notes that, most importantly, the ENCO sewage treatment plant “offers remarkably competitive pricing” which has been tailor-made to address the downturn that is affecting the construction sector With this low-cost system, merchants can provide cost-effective alternatives to their clients without compromising on quality

e ENCO system has been created to deliver effective and efficient sewage treatment, removing harmful contaminants and ensuring a consistently high-quality effluent to guarantee the protection of public health and the wider environment Designed

for versatility and adaptability, the ENCO is suitable for a wide range of applications whilst its compact size enables easy installation on site

Steve Boyer, Managing Director of Marsh Industries, said “Merchants can capitalise on all these benefits by offering a solution that adheres to complex regulations and overcomes the limitations of non-conforming sewage plants e Marsh:ENCO solution can help merchants to better ser ve their customers and gain a significant edge over competitors ”

n For more information on the latest new product solutions from Marsh Industries and its support ser vices for merchants, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc011

According to Schedule

With Schedule 3 due to be enforced later this year, it is important that those connected to property development understand the new requirements and how business will likely be impacted For merchants, understanding Schedule 3 along with the constraints and opportunities it presents will help them better support their customers as they plan and carr y out drainage and roofing projects

What is Schedule 3?

Schedule 3 is the name given to a set of requirements concerning sustainable drainage from the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 It will make it mandator y to incorporate SuDS into new construction projects and is expected to impact both new developments and renovation work on multiple dwelling units or properties over 100 square metres

B ecause of S chedule 3, there will no longer be an automatic right to connect new and refurbished properties to public

sewers; permission must be given and, in order to secure that permission, appropriate SuDS must be put in place and signed off by the SuDS Approval B ody (SAB) It is this body that ensures a drainage proposal meets the standards created by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)

It is anticipated that there will likely be an increased need for innovative drainage systems such as blue and blue/green roofs They provide solutions for many dense urban drainage projects so roofing contractors may be familiar with them already, especially if they work predominantly in cities and towns where space for drainage solutions is often ver y limited.

What are blue and blue/green roofs?

A traditional roof is designed to encourage the flow of rainwater, removing it from the roofing material and down into the sewer as quickly as possible. Blue and blue/green roofs take a different approach They are designed with water storage, flow restrictors,

The implementation of the Flood and Water Management Act Schedule 3 is due to come into effect this year, meaning sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) will become mandatory in England for many new and retrofit development schemes. Neill RobinsonWelsh, Consultant at ACO Building Drainage, dives into what changes merchants need to be aware of especially when it comes to blue and blue/green roofs.

and other features that slow the exit of water from a roof in mind

This helps alleviate pressure on communal drainage systems, lowering the risk of flooding, especially in storms and heavy rainfall events

Green ro ofs als o slow the f low of rainfall but include living plants w hich contribute to bio diversity by supp or ting ins ec t and bird life The y als o ac t as a natural carb on sink, improving the air

quality of their immediate surroundings and of fs etting carb on emissions.

Blue/green roofs are also popular combining elements of both blue and blue/green roofs to maximise the benefits of stormwater management and environmental sustainability. Designed to manage stormwater runoff, blue/green roofs contain many of the features in blue roofs such as attenuation systems and controlled outlets Many blue/green roofs reuse some of the collected water to sustain the plants that fulfil the green aspects of the hy brid design

When discussing roofing projects at the trade counter, it can be useful for merchants to understand the options available in order to make appropriate recommendations to their customers as Schedule 3 changes come into effect.

What will the impact of Schedule 3 be?

One thing that is already clear about Schedule 3 is the impact it is having on developments in highly urbanised areas The developer of a project will be specifically asked to demonstrate how the scheme will be implementing SuDS

And one of the major challenges for roofing contractors will be projects where there isn’t room for a surface-level SuDS solution. This is where blue and blue/green roofs will be most in demand and merchants have an opportunity to provide their customers with well-informed guidance on the options available

What Buildings Regulations come into play?

Contractors and designers must keep several elements in mind when working on a project and merchants will be able to offer better support for their customers if they also have an idea of what’s involved. For example, projects should be designed to

“When discussing roofing projects at the trade counter, it can be useful for merchants to understand the options available in order to make appropriate recommendations to their customers as Schedule 3 changes come into effect.”

account for those extreme once-in-a-centur y rainfall events, rather than average weather conditions

As for Blue Roofs, they need to be installed in compliance with BS EN 12056-3:2000, the British Standard for gravity drainage on flat roofs, as well as BS 6229:2018, for flat roofs with continuously supported flexible waterproof coverings.

It’s important to note that, technically, blue and blue/green roofs are not roofs, but attenuation systems that sit on top of a roof This distinction makes it possible for roofers to follow BS EN 12056-3:2000 and other planning rules, even while dealing with two seemingly incompatible requirements

What’s next?

Regulation changes can be difficult to adjust to, so merchants have an opportunity to be a valuable support to their customers who may need guidance As demand grows for solutions that are compliant with Schedule 3, ensuring familiarity with blue and blue/green roof solutions, such as those offered by ACO, will mean merchants are well placed to have informed discussions with their customers about the options worth exploring

n For more information on ACO’s range of products and support services for merchants, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc012

DURAPRODUCTS

NEW WEBSITE & LITERATURE

UK-based Duraproducts has launched a brand-new website as it ramps up activity in order to meet its ambitious target of being one of the world’s leading sustainable construction innovators In addition to a revamped look and feel, the website structure has been completely overhauled

WREKIN PRODUCTS ACCESS COVERS AND MORE…

It now features detailed sections dedicated to each of the company’s key products including Durakerb, Durachannel, Duradrain 60000, Duradrain 70000 and Duradrain shallow profile All products are manufactured using high recycled plastic content and accordingly have low carbon outputs, helping to reduce and offset environmental impacts within the construction industry

The new website has been further invigorated by a recently developed suite of literature which features detailed product specifications about Duraproducts’ range of sustainable kerb and linear surface drainage solutions The newly designed, downloadable brochures also include broader information about the company itself including its goals, values, and history, offering all visitors an insight into the company’s ethos

Promoting its environmental credentials and commitment to sustainable construction is key for Duraproducts so to demonstrate this, the company’s new website also features downloadable Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for all its products

Andy Leah, Technical Manager at Duraproducts, commented: “It’s been great to play a key role in updating the website, from communicating the extensive benefits of our products to outlining our commitment to the environment, and we are really looking forward to seeing how it is received among existing and prospective customers, suppliers and all stakeholders ”

The website launch follows the recent introduction of a number of new products including Durachannel 160, a new low-profile, low-cost ecofriendly unit which has been designed to suit mainstream applications such as forecourts, carparks, highways and any surface or structure requiring efficient linear drainage

n For more information and to visit the new Duraproducts website, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc013

If stacked in a line, the access covers sold by Wrekin Products in 2023 would reach the depth of the Mariana Trench five and a half times over. The civil engineering specialist says it enjoyed a hugely successful year despite the challenging construction environment, selling more than 550,000 iron products, releasing two new geosynthetics products and launching a new steel installation service.

T h e b u s i n e s s a l s o r e v e a l e d i t r a i s e d a r e c o r d n u m b e r o f q u o t e s , e x t e n d e d o r s e c u r e d w o r k o n f o u r m a j o r f r a m e w o r k s , a n d r a i s e d m o r e t h a n £ 1 ,0 0 0 f o r c h a r i t y d u r i n g t h e y e a r T h r e e n e w s t a r t e r s a n d a s e n i o r p r o m o t i o n h a s a l s o s e e n Wr e k i n’s g e o s y n t h e t i c s d i v i s i o n b e c o m e

t h e “ o n e t o w a t c h ”

The extra investment saw the launch of new geosynthetic clay liners and a composite geogrid as well as a streamlining of the existing product ranges to further and better supply merchants, all resulting in a record year

Commercial Director Simon Turner (pictured) said: “In almost all measures of business we’re seeing year on year growth across iron, steel and geosynthetics We’ve been hard at work streamlining and optimising our offering so that our high-quality products are even more useful and accessible to our customers From Belfast to Great Yarmouth, our solutions have been making their desired impact ”

In addition, Wrekin launched its first white paper last year, titled Potholes: More Than a Surface Issue, which was produced in collaboration with multiple local authorities and Gaist to investigate the correlation between potholes and substandard ironwork and installation

n To discover more about Wrekin’s range of products and support services for stockists, in addition to downloading its white paper, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc014

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CEO:

2

Key Brands

600+

244 branches

3

4

CEO:

100%

Key Brands

370

5

77%

£945m

124

132

Kerridge Commercial Systems provides specialist ERP, Business Management Software, Services and Support to Merchants, Distributors, Wholesalers and Retailers Our fully integrated cloud-based software includes modules that support improved stock control, warehouse management, sales order processing, accounting, delivery management and much more

For

6

7

Key Brands Grant &

£650m

182 branches

LORDS

Key

£463m

48 branches

2022

9

CEO:

CCO:

10

CEO:

CFO:

KEY

2023 declared / estimated turnover

UK merchant operation data only, where possible If full 2023 calendar year figures were not available, the most recent information has been used, as noted

ESTIMATED HEAVYSIDE / LIGHTSIDE SPLIT IS INDICATED WHERE POSSIBLE

HEAVYSIDE FIGURES INCLUDE TIMBER (WHERE APPLICABLE) LIGHTSIDE FIGURES INCLUDE SHOWROOMS, TOOLS, HIRE SERVICES AND ELECTRICAL (WHERE APPLICABLE)

e = PBM estimate on turnover / branches

Source: Figures are compiled via information supplied by a merchant company, latest published account data and PBM estimates Every effort is made to ensure the data presented is accurate, but PBM cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions.

Note: not to scale

NATIONAL TIMBER GROUP

Key Brands

Arnold Laver

Rembrand

Thornbridge

Previous year

11

Group

80%

£222m

48 branches

2022

HALDANE GROUP

Key Brands Haldane Fisher

£179.8m

22 branches

Previous year

branches

Key Brands

LAWSONS £174.2m 36 branches

12

Group CEO:

13

CEO:

£160m 14 branches

2022 £174m

13 branches

14

15

MD: Mark Setchell

Top 20: PBM looks behind the numbers at the per formance of the UK merchant sector ’s largest businesses during 2023.

It has undoubtedly been a challenging year for the merchant sector and the wider construction industry A declining housebuilding market and a stuttering RMI segment contributed to falling revenues for a number of our respondents in the ‘Top 20’ and beyond whilst material price inflation added further pressures to the bottom line

Efficiency savings, often involving reductions in headcount, were not uncommon though many merchants also continued to expand their branch networks and / or introduce new services

In broad terms, it was a somewhat static picture as the exact same businesses make up this year ’ s league table, with only a handful even moving positions in our listing Equally, there were no seismic mergers and acquisitions, breaking a pattern which had seen some substantial shifts in the ownership and composition of the UK’s biggest merchants in recent years

Looking to our countdown itself, Travis Perkins plc remains well clear at the summit The organisation says it “invested to protect and build market positions with market share gains in both Toolstation and Travis Perkins General Merchant” during 2023 and in looking to whether the challenges ahead, it is “transforming the operating model to build a stronger business through the simplification of Group structures, lowering supply chain costs and harnessing benefits from new technology ”

Following a £417 million increase in revenue over the period, Wolseley UK

just edges out Stark Building Materials

UK to take second place

The plumbing and heating specialist noted that organic growth accounted for approximately one third of the increase, with the remainer attributed to the “strategic acquisitions it has made over the last 18 months to strengthen its market positions ”

The record-high net sales delivered by the overall Stark Group in 2022/23 were said to be “particularly driven” by its purchase last year of Jewson et al from Saint-Gobain Group CFO Sisse Fjelsted Rasmussen said: “We acquired our UK business because we believe we can run it better The company has underperformed for several years We’re now changing that ”

Huws Gray maintains fourth place and in December 2023, announced the appointment of Daksh Gupta as its new CEO The Highbourne Group, meanwhile, finishes fifth and CEO Dave Evans commented: “Over the last 12 months we ’ ve continued to invest in our people, customer experience and digital innovation to build the business and support the UK’s Net Zero goals ” Examples of this ethos included the launch of the first City Plumbing Renewables Centre (in Farnborough) last year, whilst a second centre has just opened in Basildon

In sixth, MKM added 13 new branches in addition to a further five acquired from John Nicholls As it maintains its strategy of growing market share, the business says it is planning for 15-20 additional depots in 2024

Within Grafton’s UK Distribution division, Selco added a new branch in Peterborough and announced intriguing partnerships with HSS Hire, Magnet and Chiltern Brick and Tile to enhance its range of in-store services

UK Plumbing Supplies moves up one to eighth, whilst IBMG completed a number of strategic acquisitions in 2023 including the builders’ merchant operations of Kent Blaxill and boosted its roofing division by acquiring Roofing Gear and MS Roofing Supplies In addition, it announced its first foray into private-label products with the launch of the ProRange brand, starting with a UFH range and with more planned for 2024

Completing this year ’ s top ten is Lords Group Trading During 2023, it acquired Chiltern Timber and the five branches of Alloway Builders Merchants along with the organic opening of Mr Central Heating Edinburgh Despite predicting a challenging first half of 2024, the Group will continue to invest in its 3 Ps of people, plant and premises with refurbishments earmarked for a number of sites and “ new technology investments planned” across its Merchanting and P&H divisions New locations are also in the pipeline for Mr Central Heating and George Lines

We are extremely grateful for the support of the sector in compiling this industry barometer More details on the full ‘Top 20’ (and those who narrowly missed the cut…) are available on our website www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

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2024

What lies beneath?

Vernon Elsey, Marketing & Sales Director at Growtivation, explains how merchants can help their trade customers choose their landscape fabric with care.

When it comes to landscaping fabrics, it is all too tempting to assume one size fits all. And let’s be honest, most people are more concerned about what is visible above ground, rather than what lies beneath However, the experienced merchant knows that using the correct materials can mean the difference between a successful project with a truly professional and long-lasting finish, and one which just doesn’t cut the mustard

Landscaping projects are often embarked on because the property owner has an issue that they want to deal with perhaps a driveway is suffering from sinking, the water table is high, or the soil is compacted, leading to drainage problems Choosing the correct landscaping fabric can help to ensure that whatever the problem, it is dealt with properly, at source, meaning these issues don’t surface further down the line

What could possibly go wrong?

Believe it or not, the strength and permeability of the landscaping fabric used can have a ver y lasting effect on the final project For instance, if a generic standard

weed membrane is used underneath a driveway (yes, we do see this happen ), it will simply not be strong enough to take the weight of vehicles and the driveway will rut.

Instead, a driveway membrane such as Drivetex is the correct fabric to use because it doesn’t lose strength when buried in the ground It can therefore stabilise the sub-base layers and keep the surface strong and smooth.

It is not just about choosing a product that is strong enough Choosing a woven fabric is disastrous in gardens susceptible to drainage issues (due to a high-water table, soil type or location of garden). Surfaces will become waterlogged, lawns become bogg y and plants are star ved of oxygen

Where drainage is being incorporated into a project, a strong non-woven landscaping fabric such as Draintex should be used as a wrapping or lining to ensure that water can pass through, without causing it to pool on the surface

Precision is key

As you may have gathered, we ’ re a little fussy about the term ‘landscape fabric’ at Growtivation! It’s fine as a collective term for

the different membranes that might be used underneath a job, but we like to be a bit more precise! We like to ask where the fabric will be going, what’s underneath it, what material is going on top of it, and what sort of traffic is expected? What other functions must it perform?

“ We b e l i e v e t h a t

h a v i n g a n e n t i r e r a n g e ,

c l e a r l y l a b e l l e d , h e l p s m e r c h a n t s a n d

t r a d e s m e n a l i k e

a p p r e c i a t e t h e f a c t t h a t , w h e r e ‘ l a n d s c a p e

f a b r i c ’ i s c o n c e r n e d , t h e r e i s m o r e t h a n

m e e t s t h e e y e . ”

There are lots of considerations, but it needn’t be complicated that’s why Growtivation has developed a ver y clear system that helps buyers choose the right fabric for the job, ever y time Our range is named accordingly, in a ‘does what it says on the tin’ style and the packaging on our products is colour coded, so it’s easy to tell which fabric is which

For instance, our Weedtex packaging is red your customers can’t miss it in the aisles! We also have a product selector chart that helps merchants advise on the correct fabric for the job

An entire range for ever y job

In shor t, we ’ ve made it our mission to make it easy to s elec t the rig ht fabric for the job, e ver y time And we b elie ve that having an entire range, clearly lab elled, helps merchants and tradesmen alike appreciate the fac t that, w here ‘lands cap e fabric’ is concerned, there is more than meets the e ye

Even though landscape fabric is out of sight, it should not be out of mind it should always be a deliberate, informed choice, rather than a last-minute purchase!

Whatever is done above ground, needs to be supported properly with the right materials, of the requisite quality, below ground Growtivation specialises in landscaping fabrics, we know a thing or two about what it takes to make the most durable

fabrics on the market. That’s why we back our confidence in our ability to create landscaping fabrics with a lifetime guarantee

Our guarantee ensures that any faulty material due to defective manufacture is replaced free of charge and with minimum fuss. These stringent quality control measures assure merchants they are selling their customers fabrics that will get the result they want, ever y time

c h o i c e , r a t h e r t h a n a l a s t - m i n u t e p u r c h a s e ! ”

n For more information on Growtivation’s comprehensive product portfolio and its support ser vices for merchants, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc015

With a focus on new projects, Michael Davies, Technical Manager at AG, discusses the considerations required with Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).

Manag ing water runoff

Flo o ding and f lash f lo o ding have b een all to o pre valent over the last fe w years and mitigating f lo o d risk is b ecoming e ven more imp or tant, as is water cons er vation, meaning de velop ers and hous ebuilders are facing tig hter planning controls than e ver b efore This has led to many domestic and commercial projec ts calling for ne w and innovative ways to manage water r unof f that aris es f rom de velopments and drainage.

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) repres ent a collec tion of strategies, management prac tices, str uc tures and design s olutions that drain surface water reducing f lo o d risk ef f iciently and sustainably f rom constr uc tion sites

As intimated ab ove, we have s een an increas e in rainfall throug hout the UK in recent years This, combined with the fac t that we are building more than e ver, has led to an increas e in water-stress ed areas w here the cons er vation of water is a critical challenge That means that there is unprecedented pressure to intro duce more sustainable elements into designs

The s e vere f lo o ding s e en over t he l ast fe w ye ars has no doubt inf luence d p e ople’s p ercept ion of climate cont rol and subs e quent ly, we are s e eing t he gover nment rais e SuDS hig her up in t heir agend a. At AG, our aim is to en hance l ands c ap es and encourage lo c a l bio diversit y O ur X f lo Per me able Pav ing

The harness ed water can then slow ly inf iltrate throug h the system and back into the ground with p ollutants removed, or in line with Water S ensitive Urban Design (WSUD) principles, b e attenuated for rec ycling for b oth domestic and commercial us e or re warding ly diver ted to create natural wildlife p onds The range comes in 13 colours as well as a variety of sty les and aesthetics giving plenty of choice without having to compromis e on form and func tion.

SuDS are becoming more prevalent in the construction sector, which is perhaps no surprise although as it stands Wales is the only countr y in the United Kingdom with legislation in place that requires all planning applications to include SuDS However, the UK government has

following pressure from the industr y to act now and implement S chedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010

This means that most ne w constr uc tions in Eng land will require a SuDs-sp ecif ic authorisation by the SuDS Approval B o dy (SAB) prior to constr uc tion commencing

This ne w fo c us on SuDS can b e us ed to a de velop er ’ s advantage, with a well-designed SuDS system likely to sp eed up the approval pro cess delig hting builders and homeowners alike. As well as massively improving the aesthetics of a de velopment, creating a b etter and more desirable place to s ettle, quality SuDS w hich incor p orate op en spaces such as p onds can increas e land value and hous e prices as much as 10% providing a ne w opp or tunity to increas e capital

n AG has reported a 12% increase in sales in 2023, with sales in GB up 20%. The record-breaking year follows increased demand for facing brick and paving products from throughout the UK and Ireland

The family-run business has been at the leading edge of hard landscaping and building solutions for more than 60 years, and recently invested £5million into its operations to enhance internal processes and cope with increasing customer demand including purchasing cutting-edge machinery to boost performance efficiency and improve Health & Safety standards

CEO, Stephen Acheson said: “The past year has seen us achieve record-breaking sales in both the domestic and commercial sectors amidst some challenging sector conditions which is testament to the resilience and outstanding work of our team.

“We predict this exceptional demand will continue to grow over the next 12 months, placing considerable pressure on building merchants In response, we have introduced new processes enabling us to significantly increase production input and massively reducing our lead times.”

Stephen added: “We now have greater stock levels of some of our most popular products which can be easily called off at short notice and lead times on some made to order items are as little as four weeks, which will be satisfying news to our customers ”

Schedule 3 of the act established a process to ensure that any new development includes high quality SuDS The legislation will, according to the government, “reduce the risk of surface water flooding, pollution and help alleviate the pressures on our traditional drainage and sewerage systems”

There is no doubt that SuDS are here to stay. After all, we must continue to be able to control and mitigate flood risk improving water quality whilst significantly contributing to the UK’s carbon-neutral goal Right across the construction sector, we should focus on incorporating them into schemes from the beginning right through to the end

However, it is also important to know that SuDS is not a case of one-size-fits-all Therefore, careful consideration should take place to determine the most appropriate system for each project But with legislation continuing to change, SuDs can play an important role in the route to sustainability within the industr y

n For further information on AG’s range of products and support services for merchants, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc016

The great outdoors

When it comes to choosing the type of decking for a project, traditional wood boards as well as Trex composite boards each offer a number of advantages. The addition of a deck not only extends outdoor living space and encourages better wellbeing but can also add thousands onto the value of a home, making it a fantastic investment whatever material is used

Pioneers of eco-friendly decking, Trex is said to be ideal for the sustainability conscious with boards comprising up to 95% recycled materials Trex recycles over 1 5

billion plastic shopping bags each year, and was the first company of its kind to receive SAVE verification for recycled content

Designed with aesthetics in mind, Trex composite decking boards offer the effect of the natural beauty of wood with the benefits of composite The boards won’t rot, split, fade or stain, will never need oiling or painting and offer incredible versatility of design

Quality is also a vital consideration when choosing composite decking While customers may be tempted by lower price points, this is unlikely to offer value for money in the long term as cheaper composite decking is subject to both surface and structural damage

For this reason, we recommend Trex for durable, high quality composite decking supported by an industr y-leading warranty of up to 50 years for added

S e l l i n g t h r o u g h i t s

n e t w o r k o f m e r c h a n t

p a r t n e r s , A r b o r F o r e s t

P r o d u c t s h a s d i s t r i b u t e d

Tr e x c o m p o s i t e d e c k i n g

s i n c e 2 0 1 1 . M a r k e t e d v i a

t h e c o m p a n y ’s

A r b o r d e c k d i v i s i o n a n d

p r o v i d i n g a l o w -

m a i n t e n a n c e s o l u t i o n

f a v o u r e d b y m a n y

c u s t o m e r s , t h e r a n g e i s

s a i d t o h a v e e x p e r i e n c e d

e x p o n e n t i a l g r o w t h i n

t h e U K i n r e c e n t y e a r s .

H e r e , t h e b r a n d o u t l i n e s

s o m e o f i t s k e y

p r e d i c t i o n s f o r 2 0 2 4 .

peace of mind This includes the Trex Enhance Basics range, which offers a more budget-friendly alternative without compromising on quality

Trex’s design flexibility means it’s the ideal choice for any outdoor space commercial or residential, modern or traditional, large or small, and anything in between Installers can create multiple levels or cur ved areas to work around the existing space, or install bespoke features such as built-in seating areas and planters There’s also the possibility of designing a deck with additions such as railings or lighting

Colour is an important feature of decking design and should be one of the first considerations, as it can have a big impact on the sensitivity of the deck to its surroundings While grey remains a popular choice for both interior and exterior designs, it is better suited to modern properties and city locations. On the other hand, brown shades of composite decking reminiscent of natural wood are more likely to complement traditional, rural and coastal properties

2024 trends

Working closely with our installer customers across the countr y allows us to gain insight

into the latest decking trends. Here’s a round-up of what’s set to be popular in outdoor living design over the next 12 months:

l Minimalism: this popular style is here to stay for 2024, and is particularly suited to modern properties When it comes to applying this trend to decking, the use of a single colour, one level and only necessar y additional features will create a sleek and minimalist outdoor living space.

l One-of-a-kind design: although clean lines and subtle colours are set to remain popular, homeowners and business owners are increasingly looking to make their deck stand out from the crowd whether it’s the use of multiple colours, the addition of a unique inlay design, or cur ving boards around an existing garden feature

l Back to nature: with the proven link between nature and wellbeing, we ’ re seeing an increasing number of decks that incorporate the beauty of the natural world Trex is well-suited to this trend thanks to its exceptional sustainability credentials, and the addition of plants and flowers further complements the benefits of being in the great outdoors

l Tranquil tones: decking can offer the perfect space for relaxation, so one of the key decking trends for 2024 will be the use of calming colours Often inspired by the natural world, as is the case for shades in the Trex Lineage collection, choosing the right colour decking boards can help create the ultimate space for tranquillity

l Built-in seating: we ’ re seeing an increasing number of deck designs utilising the available space through the addition of built-in seating. Not only does this create a sleek and minimalistic finish, but it also maximises the space available, making it ideal for smaller decks

Merchant support

Arbordeck offers its merchant partners a host of additional business support, from comprehensive product training including calculation and technical assistance in completing a deck design to professional point of sale displays, brochures, samples and stockist listing on the Arbordeck and Trex websites

n For more information on Arbordeck and Trex, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc017

ONDULINE ‘ROOFING’ SHEETS FOR FENCE PANELS & GATES

Renowned for its lightweight roofing systems, Onduline has adapted its CLASSIC bituminous corrugated sheets for use in garden fence and gate applications

Traditionally used to provide a waterproof roofing solution to timber buildings such as sheds, stables and garden buildings, the corrugated sheets are said to provide “exceptional durability” which allows them to withstand extreme weather conditions, thus making them well suited as an aesthetic covering for existing fences and gates

Available in a range of colours and supported with a 10-year anti-rot guarantee, the sheets were already a popular choice for stockists due to their versatility and ease of installation. Now offering even more diverse applications, the sheets can be installed directly onto an existing fully boarded fence or gate panel using Onduline SCREWS Support battens may be required if the existing structure is less than 30mm thick

Ardit Strica, Technical Manager at Onduline, said: “By diversifying the applications of our products, we are not only meeting the evolving needs of our customers but also contributing to the ongoing transformation of the roofing industry towards more sustainable and adaptive solutions."

n For more information on ONDULINE CLASSIC for fences and gates, go to www.rdr.link/mbc018

BIRKDALE DURAPOST TIMBER ALTERNATIVES

As exemplified by a recent project at a property in Leeds which saw a failing timber fencing system replaced with a range of high performance DuraPost products, the holistic solution available from Birkdale Sales incorporating fence posts, Urban Slatted Composite fence panels and an Aluminium Gate is said to provide all the necessary aesthetic and performance requirements

In Leeds, Silver Fern Fencing replaced the deteriorating timber with DuraPost Urban Slatted Composite fence panels in the Natural colour option, supported by galvanised steel posts in anthracite grey (which come with an up to 25-year guarantee)

The low-maintenance, lightweight fence panels are manufactured from a combination of materials, including rice husks a natural bi-product from the rice industry which accounts for 55% of the panel Recycled HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is also incorporated into the design, ensuring the panels are “incredibly strong and wind tested to high speeds ”

Silver Fern’s Steve Ward said: “Thanks to the low weight and slimness of the posts, we could carry and install them easily and quickly They are so much better to work with than concrete systems, which are far harder to carry and install. The panel boards were then installed horizontally.”

n Further details on Birkdale’s DuraPost products can be found via www.rdr.link/mbc019

HALLSTONE HALF-MILLION BULK BAG MILESTONE

Describing itself as the nation’s fastest-growing manufacturer of premium topsoil products for the building and landscaping trades, Hallstone has recently celebrated the sale of its 500,000th bulk bag The milestone sale follows the firm’s “best-ever sales year” with the business up more than 50% year-on-year from 2022 to 2023

2023 saw the brand, part of the Rolawn Group, re-position itself to become “a supplier of choice” for the UK’s leading national and independent builders’ merchants including Huws Gray, whose Grantham branch received the 500,000th bag

To celebrate the supplier’s achievement and to mark Huws Gray Grantham being the lucky recipient, Jonathan Hill, Sales & Marketing Director for the Rolawn Group presented the branch with a special point of sale package and vouchers for the staff at the depot to share in a celebratory meal.

Branch Manager Robin Hollingworth said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating with Hallstone, it’s a pleasure working with the team and we really appreciate this gesture. Their collaborative approach makes them a go-to supplier and that seems to be reflected in their sales and this latest achievement ”

n Enter www.rdr.link/mbc020 for more information on Hallstone.

Pushing new boundaries

Said to feature a host of improvements to its design, Polypipe Building Products has released an improved version of its popular PolyPlumb push-fit range. PBM reports.

A“tried and tested staple” of the residential plumbing market for over 25 years, the PolyPlumb pushfit range has been relaunched with what the manufacturer describes as a series of innovative design upgrades. Complete with a “streamlined design and fresh new look,” the new PolyPlumb Enhanced also features patented In-Cert feedback technolog y to “provide added confidence when fitting ”

e Enhanced range from Polypipe Building Products is compatible with the company ’ s Plumbing & Heating pipe, as well as copper pipe, and is said to be suitable for most hot and cold water supply and heating applications Furthermore, by featuring Polypipe’s patented In-Cert technolog y, installers will benefit from “improved jointing assurance and peace of mind through haptic feedback ”

e In-Cert incorporates what is described as a 360º wave feature in its head

which engages with projections within the socket and helps to align and centralise the pipe e ‘haptic click’ of the In-Cert is designed to provide additional confidence with the firm stating installers need to just push the pipe home, twist and know the job is done push, twist, know.

e compact fitting also features the “trusted pre-lubricated EPDM O-ring and the proven high performance stainless-stell grab ring for continued joint integrity ”

PolyPlumb Enhanced also brings a fresh new look to the range, and is available in white for the first time as well as the original grey Allowing it to blend seamlessly in a range of settings, the two colours are also fully compatible with each other if required.

With the joint demountable by disassembly only, Polypipe says that, overall, PolyPlumb provides a superb combination of fast fitting and a permanent, reliable fix

“PolyPlumb Enhanced continues to deliver the reliability and confidence installers have grown to expect from the product but brings a fresh new look and even better per formance.”

Adam Pearson, Category Manager at Polypipe Building Products, said: “PolyPlumb has been a widely known and loved fixture for professional installers for over 25 years

Continuous improvement applied through innovative technology and progressive design is at the heart of everything we do, and we ’ re proud to share the results with the heating and plumbing community

“PolyPlumb Enhanced continues to deliver the reliability and confidence installers have grown to expect from the product but brings a fresh new look and even better performance.”

As part of Polypipe and the Genuit Group’s commitment to creating a more sustainable built environment, the packaging for the new range has also received an upgrade and features 50% recycled plastic film, a 30% reduction in plastic film thickness and a reduction in bag size on its most popular fittings

Finally, PolyPlumb Enhanced comes with a 50-year guarantee to offer merchants and their customers further reassurance whilst sample packs are available to tr y out the new range

n For more information on Polypipe Building Products’ latest new products and support ser vices for merchants, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc021

In control

Controllers for heat pumps are now smarter and have the potential to open up new business opportunities for merchants and their installer customers. So says Andy Smith, National Sales Manager at Grant UK.

Smart controllers are becoming more popular with homeowners research indicates a growing trend in the adoption of smart technologies in the home, with households across the nation embracing voice-controlled lighting, heating, security and other smart home functions According to a report by Statista, as of 2023, approximately 35% of UK households have at least one smart home device, with this number projected to increase to over 50% by 2025

Heat pumps are also now well and truly in the sma era, with contro available that enable users to operate their systems remotely Not only that, but many controls also have

diagnostic capabilities too, alerting homeowners, installers and engineers to any issues with the heat pump, which can prevent minor problems from escalating into major repairs

This predictive maintenance can help ensure the longevity of the equipment, potentially saving money and reducing environmental impact over time. For a merchant’s installer customers, these features can also open up new business opportunities moving from a reactive heat servicing model a more proactive one. By offering remote iagnostics and aintenance, can potentially isits, optimise ide a higher level

Self-learning capabilities

Smart control kits, like those by Grant UK that are tailored for use with the Aerona air source heat pump range, blend advanced technolog y with easy-to-use touch screen displays, making it easy to programme daily or weekly heating schedules and timing for domestic hot water and regulate room temperatures. These controls are equipped with self-learning capabilities which will then adapt to a home's unique temperature patterns, optimising the heat pump ' s performance to meet heating needs effectively and efficiently

The Aerona Smar t C ontroller als o comes with a WiFi Hub and once this is installed, an accompanying app and supp or ting web p or tal can b e us ed w hich give remote access to the controller, as well as giving access to error co des and diagnostics information to assist with remote system supp or t

PLUMBING & HEATING

With the ability to independently adjust the heating cur ve for each zone, the controller calculates the optimum flow temperature for the heat pump in relation to the conditions outside of the property while also utilising its self-learning functionality Consequently, the controller intuitively monitors and adjusts the operation of the Aerona³ heat pump to suit the individual requirements of a property.

It is a ls o comp at ible w it h b ot h w ire d and w ireless t her most ats, enabling pre cis e temp erature cont rol for indiv idu a l he at ing zones

Homeowners tend to like a range of options and, for those that have chosen the Aerona Remote Controller, there is the option of using the Homely Heat Pump Optimisation Controls This is an easy to install smart controller that can manage two heating zones and domestic hot water.

It uses wireless sensors and predictive software that forecasts heating needs based on upcoming weather, ensuring the heat pump operates at peak efficiency With a subscription, users can also utilise agile tariffs for further cost savings.

Training

Grant UK offers merchants and installers a full training proposition on its heat pumps and how to set up the controllers. For example, a two-day Heat Pump installation training course covers the Grant Aerona³ heat pump including construction, principles of operation, electrical wiring,

controller settings, sizing and selection of the correct unit to suit the property concerned, installation considerations and requirements, and commissioning the complete system

The training is held throughout the year at Grant’s state of the art Swindon HQ, or at training centres in Hawes, North Yorkshire, Nor wich and Livingston

In addition, a new playlist of handy videos about the Aerona Smart Controller are also available to watch on Grant UK’s YouTube Channel and provide an over view of this intuitive device as well sharing stepby-step demonstrations on how to set the core settings

n For more information on Grant UK’s products and support ser vices for merchants and their customers, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc022

Vir tual learning

Overcoming several of the potential drawbacks of in-person training, the industry has responded favourably to the growth of virtual sessions in recent years. PBM reports on Impey’s recent announcement of its 2024 online wetroom training programme.

The importance of regular product training is widely acknowledged across the industry, however in-person sessions can often fall at inconvenient times, incur unwelcome costs or simply take participants away from their day-to-day work for too long Accordingly, and reinforcing lessons learnt during the pandemic, online training provision continues to grow in popularity as an alternative that navigates many of these issues.

Impey, for instance, has recently announced the return of its online ‘We Are Wetrooms’ training programme for 2024 With a number of dates available until November, bookings for the free sessions are now open.

Now in its ninth year, the ‘We Are Wetrooms’ installation training programme has helped thousands of installers, retailers, plumbers and tilers as well as merchant counter sales staff learn about the specification and installation of the manufacturer’s well-known wetroom solutions

Indeed, since launching in 2016, the popularity of Impey’s training seminars has grown exponentially The training transitioned to a virtual option in 2021, and has subsequently developed along with the brand’s product portfolio to encompass information about Impey’s core product range including its Aqua-Dec EasyFit floor formers, Aqua-Dec Linear floor formers, WaterGuard waterproofing solution, underfloor heating options and more

To ensure a comprehensive and tailored experience, Impey’s training department conducts the sessions from a virtual training hub, kitted out with a product presentation studio and demonstration areas

Purpose-made content ensures that seminar participants can take advantage of the online format, which blends pre-recorded videos with a variety of live Q&A sessions

All dates in the 2024 programme will be hosted by Shaun Hunt, Impey’s Technical and Trade Marketing Manager and a ‘wetroom guru ’ with over 20 years ’ experience in the sector

Each session covers:

worked on whilst each session is tailored to its participants and the level of their wetroom knowledge ”

l Wetroom installation and floor formers

l Wetroom installation into a wooden or concrete floor

l How to achieve the perfect wetroom gradient

l Drainage: gravity fed and pumped waste

l Leak-free water proofing

Shaun said: “Combining live and video elements has proved incredibly popular, and the online presentation means that participants can join us from anywhere! Attendees are ver y engaged and will typically ask questions about the projects they are planning or wetroom installations they have

Head of Marketing Neil Whitehead added: “We are now in our fourth year of virtual ‘We Are Wetrooms’ training and attendee numbers are continuing to grow. Shaun has an extensive understanding of wetroom installation, and he delivers best practice for wetroom installation in the most engaging and absorbing way

“If you have an interest in the installation, specification, or sales of level access shower spaces, this is definitely the course for you. ”

n For further details on the ‘We Are Wetrooms’ pre-bookable online training sessions along with full information on Impey’s product range and wider support ser vices for merchants, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc023

Sustainable retrofit solutions

With an average of 170,000 new homes being constructed each year in the UK, the reality is that the majority of the homes people will live in by 2050 are already built With millions of these properties already falling behind in terms of energ y efficiency, the focus must be on retrofit and renovation to bring them up to standard

Millions of British homes currently do not meet the requirements for Energ y Performance Certification ‘C’. The impact of this rating is two-fold Firstly, occupants of under-performing buildings may face higher energ y bills alongside reduced levels of comfort Secondly, to compensate for a property’s heat loss, heating systems will likely be working harder and having a greater negative impact on the environment

In practice, ensuring existing homes meet EPC ‘C’ standards is essential for the UK to achieve its net zero ambitions To achieve this, the renovation of these properties and the retrofitting of effective plumbing and heating systems from underfloor heating through to heat pumps to improve efficiency and reduce heat loss will put the UK on a more sustainable footing.

To make the vision of a more sustainable future a reality, installers will play a critical

role. Working directly with property owners, plumbing and heating engineers are the experts on the ground, assessing properties to identify the most suitable solutions, and installing them correctly to deliver the greatest impact.

With millions of homes across the countr y in need of energ y efficiency upgrades, tried, tested and trusted solutions will be used heavily to unlock the best results This approach allows homes to benefit from proven systems, minimising the disruption of adoption while delivering long-term results

Underfloor heating (UFH) is one solution that can be installed to improve efficiency and comfort within a property. Compatible with new and old heat sources, UFH operates effectively at much lower temperatures than traditional radiator systems to reduce energ y demands while sufficiently heating a home.

Its positioning beneath floors also creates a much larger surface area, enabling UFH to heat spaces quickly and more effectively, improving comfort and efficiency

For renovation projects, low-profile UFH systems such as JG LowFit are a proven solution, enabling installation over existing subfloor structures For screeded floor

As the UK progresses on the road to net-zero, Richard Bateman, RWC’s Product Marketing Manager for Plumbing and Heating, explores the importance of retrofit and renovation — and how merchants can help their heating and plumbing installer customers play a leading role.

applications, castellated panels support easy installation, whereas for timber floors, foil and mesh panels can be used to run pipes efficiently

These options equip installers with the systems and versatility to upgrade home heating systems and unlock greater levels of efficiency

Aside from retrofitting sustainable heating systems, installers can also use pipes and fittings that contribute to greater levels of system efficiency. Plastic solutions, such as those within the JG Speedfit range, can strengthen plumbing and heating systems to unlock greater performance, while fewer connections reduce the potential for problems such as leaks which can compromise overall efficiency

Featuring innovations such as push-fit

“ Wi t h m i l l i o n s o f h o m e s a c r o s s t h e

c o u n t r y i n n e e d o f e n e r g y e f f i c i e n c y

u p g r a d e s , t r i e d , t e s t e d a n d t r u s t e d

s o l u t i o n s w i l l b e u s e d h e a v i l y t o

u n l o c k t h e b e s t r e s u l t s . ”

technolog y, these solutions can also reduce the complexity of upgrading systems, simplifying jobs for installers

The future of home heating

While installing more sustainable technologies will move homes towards a greener future, it is important to keep in mind what the future of home heating could look like Here, installers can depend on manufacturers to lead the way through product innovation, ensuring systems and solutions comply with changes to the countr y ’ s infrastructure

Today, more than 80% of homes are connected to the gas network To achieve net-zero by 2050, a shift away from gas to more sustainable energ y sources will have the greatest impact overall and the transition is already under way.

Thousands of homes have already adopted heat pumps, equipping them with a more sustainable heat source and cutting emissions at the point of use Alongside the uptake in heat pumps, hydrogen looks set to replace natural gas in the coming years, with trials taking place in various locations across the UK. In the short-term, a natural gas-hydrogen blend is anticipated to cut emissions by reducing gas consumption by around 20%

While these broader changes will have a direct impact on homes in the decades to come, they are just one part of the solution to a greener future The changes being made by installers today from installing UFH through to maximising system efficiency are delivering tangible benefits for homeowners, including greater levels of comfort and cost efficiency

n To discover how RWC are supporting merchants and their installer customers through its family of brands including JG Speedfit, JG Underfloor and Reliance Valves use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc024

ROOFING REWARDS

Setting out battens for success

Merchants can promote best practice to their customers when it comes to setting out tiling battens for parts of the roof, helping contractors avoid potentially costly and time-consuming issues that could require roofing remedial works, or, at worst, the stripping of full roof elevations.

In the first of two parts, Marley’s Training and Technical Support Manager Kevin Taylor focusses on batten setting around the eaves and ridge.

As with any roof tile, it is critical to establish what is known as the hanging length of the tile Most manufacturers share the tile’s hanging length in their literature but, if on site, contractors should simply turn the tile over and measure from the underside of the nib to the tail of the tile

Once this measurement is established, contractors should place a tape or rule at least 50mm over the edge of the fascia board or leading edge (measured on the rake) and mark off the hanging length onto the rafter. This first datum point represents the top edge of the eaves batten The overhang may need to be extended for wider gutters or gutters which project off the leading edge

The important point is to ensure that there is effective drainage into the gutters, so it is always advisable to check this with a roof tile before moving on to the next step.

The top course of roof tiles should finish high enough so that the ridge tiles cover them by no less than 75mm Normally this means setting the top edge of the top batten down from the ridge (or the ridge brackets if using a dr y ridge system) by the depth of the tile nib plus 5-15mm

For variable gauge, single lap roof tiles, it is important not to exceed the maximum batten gauge recommended by the manufacturer This can var y depending on the minimum headlap specified, which will normally range from 75mm up to 100mm depending on the roof pitch

n For more advice and information on Marley’s roofing solutions, visit www.marley.co.uk

PLUMBING & HEATING

BOILERMAG HEAT PUMP FILTER

With contamination risks potentially more acute in heat pump systems as they typically operate at lower temperatures, the new BoilerMagHP magnetic filter has been designed to protect heat pump systems from loss of efficiency and breakdown caused by sludge and scale accumulation Supplied with 28mm bore isolation valves, the product accommodates the greater flow rates common to heat pump systems whilst the bigger valves reduce the risk of pressure drops, which can affect heat pump efficiency

BoilerMagHP utilises the company’s patented dual flow technology and, incorporating highintensity magnets and optimum flow dynamics, it ensures extremely high magnetite collection rates, even at higher flow rates The new filter also includes popular BoilerMag features such as in-line installation, 360˚adjustment, and high collection capacity

n For further information, use www.rdr.link/mbc025

DOSAFIL

MULTI-PRODUCT PACKS

Following the successful recent launch of the DosaFil DR range of solid paste water treatment products for domestic heating systems, the company has followed this up with the launch of two multi-product packs to offer a convenient way of purchasing the products in bulk These packs will see even more plastic waste saved as when using the DR range instead of traditional liquid water treatments, no plastic bottles will end up in landfill from working on heating systems

The new Contractors pack comes with thirty sticks of DR1 inhibitor whilst the new Distributor multi-pack mixed box comes with six packs of DR1 inhibitor 18 sticks, 3 packs of DR2 solid cleaner sticks, two packs of DR3 solid heavy-duty cleaners sticks and one pack of DR4 Solid Biocide.

Both are said to offer a cost-effective way of purchasing multi-boxes of product and having a supply of the products to hand whether in the merchants or distributors, or for installers and contractors keeping product in the van.

The DosaFil range of solid chemical treatment inhibitors, cleaners and biocides was developed to offer a host of advantages over traditional liquid chemical water treatment solutions Said to meet all the required standards and guidelines in the marketplace, the additional benefits include a massive weight reduction for moving the product in bulk and far less space taken up on merchant shelves

STELRAD ELECTRIC RADIATOR SERIES

Having recently ventured into the electric marketplace for the first time since it began manufacturing in 1936, Stelrad says its new electric radiator series has sparked significant interest in the heating sector The range is currently made up of 13 expertly selected steel and aluminium radiators and towel radiators, which the manufacturer says, “provide unbeatable quality and design to suit any room or décor ”

Head of Marketing Chris Harvey commented: “There is clearly a significant marketplace for ‘all electric’ heating in homes, despite the domination of gas boiler fired heating systems We’ve seen major interest from people adding extensions or conservatories to their homes where they see the advantages of an electric radiator rather than extending their existing heating system, which comes with the possibility of having to replace the boiler to cope with the additional heating requirements ”

n For more on the Electric Series from Stelrad, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc027

FERNOX

TF1 ANTIFREEZE VALVES

Adding to its extensive portfolio of renewables products including the TF1 Sigma HP heat pump filter and a range of transfer fluids and cleaners Fernox has introduced new TF1 Antifreeze Valves Available in two sizes suitable for both compression and BSP fittings, the high-performance valves have been specifically engineered for heat pump applications to prevent ice forming in heating and cooling systems and damaging the heat pump itself.

Indeed, when temperatures drop, systems that are not treated with a glycol-based fluid can freeze within the heat pump circuit which can result in harmful and costly damage to vulnerable components and pipework. The Fernox TF1 Antifreeze Valve reduces this risk thanks to its internal sensor, which detects when the fluid in the system is close to freezing to initiate protective action

n Use www.rdr.link/mbc028 for more information.

Wall to wall support

Kinedo has unveiled a package of marketing materials for merchants and showrooms to support the launch of its latest Kinewall panels.

Underpinning the launch of its new range of Kinewall panels, Kinedo has announced a robust suite of marketing resources to support showrooms and merchants This includes a trade and consumer advertising campaign, web page, brochures and a number of eye-catching promotional tools designed to raise awareness of this “game-changing” bathroom panel range

To enhance the in-store and showroom experience, the supplier has produced a comprehensive package of display items including posters, leaflets and dispensers, cube displays, strut cards, wobblers, floor stickers, window stickers, floor mats, wall boards, swatches and totems. These materials showcase the diverse patterns, styles, and colours of the new panels whilst the actual showroom displays of Kinewall will offer customers the opportunity to see the quality of the panels close up.

The web page, located on the Kinedo website and accessible via the shortcode www rdr link/mbc029, showcases the full range of 70 Kinewall patterns available and features an installation video and technical guides to installation which have been produced to “highlight the simplicity and speed” of transforming a bathroom, cloakroom or utility room with the panels

A comprehensive advertising campaign has been designed to create awareness of the

new range and drive traffic to showrooms and merchants Furthermore, Kinedo has partnered with Ideal Bathrooms to ensure that the most popular sizes and colour options of the product are readily available 21 designs of the most commonly used panel size (1500 x 2500) will be kept in stock, available for deliver y the following day The remaining designs will be available upon order, with a lead time of four weeks

The range itself features 70 unique patterns, styles and colours which are broken down into categories including Minerals and metals, Nature, Patterns & Geometric and Wood Available in six different sizes, the panels can even be mixed and matched to suit customer preferences and ensure installation flexibility.

Easy to clean and maintain once fitted, and benefiting from a 10-year warranty, the lightweight panels can be cut to the required size on site thanks to their innovative composition of polyethylene core with an aluminium layer on either side.

Will Hickman, Sales & Marketing Director of Ideal Bathrooms, said: “We are confident that this new range of shower panels will be a hit with our customers, and we have already installed eyecatching displays in showrooms across the countr y to showcase the range to the trade and consumers alike.”

n For more information on Kinedo’s new Kinewall range and the support materials for merchants, use the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc030

A new Kinewall display at Wolseley UK's Worcester branch

RAK CERAMICS DISPLAY UNITS

Showcasing RAK Ceramics’ range of design-led bathroom taps, the new display units feature up to 29 taps and are intended to make effective use of floor space and/or enhance roomsets within the showroom

Enabling stockists to present a large selection of the full brassware available in the supplier’s portfolio at a glance, the displays include many of its best-selling taps from the Amalfi basin mixer in matt black and Ischia in brushed nickel, to the contemporary Petit Square and Round basin mixers and the classically elegant RAK-Washington tap, all in chrome

BURG-WÄCHTER

SAPPHIRE PADLOCK 3 FOR 2 OFFER

The high quality, strong and weather-resistant Sapphire 111/121 CS padlock from the leading security specialist is now available on a ‘3 for 2’ deal Designed and manufactured to offer a high level of attack resistance, the padlocks feature a durable ABS outer jacket to prevent scratches and ensure extra protection from the elements

A chrome-plated, hardened steel shackle offers additional protection, giving enhanced security against bolt cutters The shackle is double-bolted from 40mm models upwards, while the 121 C models feature a concealed shackle for additional protection

The 40mm padlock has the option of a long shackle and can also come keyed alike, making it handy for properties where multiple users need access to the lock

LUCECO

2024 SPECIFICATION LIGHTING GUIDE

The new catalogue features over 1200 SKUs and is packed with brand new specification lighting solutions, including over 250 brand new SKUs The guide showcases an extensive new lighting controls section, Luceco’s innovative energy-saving LED luminaires, as well as offering updates on the most popular ranges

Each section is colour-coded for ease of navigation, with detailed technical information to ensure ease of specification Hard copies are available to order whilst the guide is also available to view and download online via www.rdr.link/mbc031

METHVEN

2024 ONE BOOK

Highlighting its latest range of premium showers, taps and accessories, Methven new product guide the 2024 One Book features more than 200 pages to bring together fresh imagery alongside range additions, product explainers, detailed pricing and key technical information for merchants, retailers and installers alike

In line with the manufacturer’s global commitment to water saving and sustainability, the guide also includes key information on how to maximise the environmental performance of its products and how this can translate into savings on water and heating bills each year for end consumers

View and download a copy of the new brochure from the Methven website via www.rdr.link/mbc032

NAVIEN SPRING IT ON CASH BACK SCHEME

Running until the end of April, Navien’s ‘Spring it ON’ cash back scheme means that installers who purchase one of the manufacturer’s NCB500 ON Combi Crossover boilers can claim £100 cash back, plus 45 points The points can be used to unlock rewards from cameras and smart watches to coffee machines, DeWalt toolkits and even holidays through the Navien Choice reward scheme

Sales Director Jason Davies said: “There is a lot of pressure and uncertainty in the industry at the moment, so the cash back scheme has been designed to remind installers that we are there for them as a manufacturer and we appreciate the work that they do ”

For more examples of supplier support for merchants on the PBM website, enter the shortcode www.rdr.link/mbc033

KILWAUGHTER MINERALS K REND GP MIX

Boasting a cutting-edge new formula with reduced drying times and improved workability, GP Mix is a premium general purpose render suitable for use as a float coat, scratch coat and masonry mortar

The product replaces its existing GP Mortar product which has been a successful part of the portfolio for several years

Part of the K Rend Eco range that utilises cement replacement technology and delivers a fine texture finish, the product is said to deliver a number of major benefits

For example, it gives the same final appearance as traditional sand and cement render mix while being suitable for internal and external use, as well as being suitable for hand or machine application

The arrival of GP Mix to the market comes less than two years after Kilwaughter Minerals’ K Rend brand launched K Mono a one-coat, one-pass throughcoloured render product that the manufacturer says has “revolutionised the UK and Ireland housebuilder market ”

WERNERCO

FIBERGLASS WORK PLATFORM

Available though both its ZARGES and Werner brands, WernerCo has launched a new fibreglass work platform which is said to be ideal for low-level jobs on-site Constructed using durable and nonconductive fiberglass legs, which are highly resistant to weathering, the platform ensures safe working while around electricity

Its square, extralarge, slip-resistant 0.6m x 0.6m platform is suitable for professionals who require a comfortable and spacious work surface, as well as for those who require a compact design for easy storage and transportation Added safety is offered thanks to its slip-resistant feet, splayed base and easy to use locking hinges

STABILA DARK SHADOW ELECTRONIC SPIRIT LEVEL

The measuring tool specialist is celebrating its 135th anniversary and has launched an extra special model of its proven TECH 196 electronic spirit level to mark the occasion The limited edition, 40 cm ‘Dark Shadow’ model boasts a particularly stylish look thanks to its unusual matt anthracite finish

Whether using it for horizontal and vertical alignment or for measuring inclinations, slopes and angles, the integrated electronics module allows instantaneous measurements to be taken Its acoustic guidance feature, with three different audible signals, enables components to be aligned more quickly, without having to look at the spirit level

Equipped with two displays (at the front and top), it guarantees optimum readability of measured values in any conditions. Furthermore, when working at dusk or in shadow, the displays light up at the touch of a button whilst the aluminium rectangular profile with removable shock-absorbing end caps is ultra rigid thanks to reinforcing ribs and is therefore particularly robust

DULUX HERITAGE TRUE WHITE

Dulux Heritage True White has been designed to provide painters and decorators with a high-quality white option to “beautifully match and enhance” all shades found within the existing Heritage collection Available in both Velvet Matt (5L and 10L) and Eggshell (2 5L) finishes, the new addition is said to deliver a smooth, luxurious feel and visual appeal, in keeping with the Heritage range’s reputation for premium quality and aesthetics

LAKES

WAVE ADDITION

Lakes Showering Spaces has kickstarted 2024’s product development with the extension of its popular Wave range to include a Hinge & In-Line option Described as being ideal for wider enclosed spaces, the Hinge & In-Line model builds on the success of the core range of Wave products including sliding doors, quads, bi-fold door and walk in panel.

The product includes genuine 8mm thick glass throughout and comes in a broad range of sizes from 1m up to 1 7m wide Said to be easy to install and complying with the relevant British and European standards, it comes available in a range of colours including silver, black and brushed brass

SNICKERS WORKWEAR WORKING CLOTHES FOR WOMEN

HIKOKI POWER TOOLS

CV18DA MULTITOOL

Featuring a new and improved tool-less blade change feature, the new HiKOKI CV18DA Multitool marries brushless motor technology with a design that's both nimble and robust Accepting both Starlock and OIS blades all with a quick and easy tool-free blade exchange system, this swift swap capability also allows users to transition between accessories with ease

In addition, its lightweight build and ergonomic grip mean tradespeople can navigate the tightest corners or stubborn jobs without sacrificing comfort or control With UVP anti-vibration technology for superior control, an integrated LED light adds to its useability by improving visibility in poorly lit areas

SYMPHONY GROUP ALBY BLUE COLOURWAY

W h i l e i n d i g o h a s b e e n a p o p u l a r k i t c h e n c o l o u r f o r a f e w y e a r s ,

Sy m p h o n y s a y s 2 0 2 4 w i l l s e e b l u e s b e c o m i n g m o r e b a l a n c e d a n d m o d e r a t e d , c r e a t i n g a “s e n s e o f e n e r g i s e d c a l m w i t h i n t h e h o m e ”

W i t h t h i s i n m i n d , t h e m a n u f a c t u r e r h a s l a u n c h e d a b r a n d - n e w

c o l o u r w a y w i t h a 7 0 % r e c y c l e d f o i l ( r P E T ) s u r f a c e A l b y B l u e.

T h i s “s o f t , s e r e n e a n d s u b t l e s h a d e” w o r k s w e l l w i t h c o p p e r

a c c e n t s a s w e l l a s m a t t b l a c k a p p l i a n c e s a n d c r i s p w h i t e m a r b l e o r

n a t u r a l w o o d w o r k s u r f a c e s T h e n e w M o d e r n S u p e r M a t t F

For professional tradeswomen who want working clothes with an ergonomic fit and a street-smart style, Snickers Workwear has garments and footwear to suit all kinds of working environments and weather conditions For example, it offers specially designed women’s Work Jackets, warm and windproof Mid-layers, Stretch Trousers with kneepads and Solid Gear safety shoes, tops and accessories all available in a host of sizes to ensure optimal fit and comfort

For the Spring and Summer months, new garments include a Windproof Softshell jacket, a range of High-Vis tops and Stretch Trousers, plus new Hoodies and T-shirts with great colourways

With Paul Davies

T H R E E I S T H E M A G I C N U M B E R

It has been another weekend of drama at the top end of the Premier League! Liverpool and Manchester City have just shared the points from a pulsating 1-1 draw, however Arsenal’s late win over Brentford the day before means that the Gunners actually sit on top of the table with only a point separating the three teams with just ten games to go

The final stretch of the season really does look enticing, as all metrics point towards there being a genuine, lasting three-horse race for the title over the remaining fixtures. Indeed, no quarter is being given at all at present. All three sides are in great form comfortable victories are interspersed with those all-important ‘grind out a win even when you’re not playing well’ performances, whilst even injuries to key players haven’t seen any of them fall back

By the time this issue lands on your desks (in print, online or via email!) as the international break concludes, Arsenal will be preparing to visit the Etihad in the sole remaining head-to-head match-up Beyond that, each side has a smattering of tricky fixtures, but most of their games look ‘winnable’ on paper Intriguingly, all three must go to White Hart Lane in what looks to be the toughest test whilst Villa are also a common foe the two teams looking to secure the final Champions League spot will have a big say in who tops the table

So, who will prevail? The BBC has spoken to the number crunchers and the data geeks at the likes of Opta who, essentially

through a mix of stats and betting odds, have Man City as most likely to triumph but the predicted final table only separates them by four points not much is needed to change that

Looking at the remaining games, I can genuinely see this race going the distance Maybe Arsenal could fall first (in the North London derby at the end of April?), but I’m going to stick my neck out for a Liverpool win on the final day

H I S T O RY R E P E AT I N G ( S O RT O F … )

We’ve had a few dramatic title races since the advent of the Premier League (football, remember, was only invented in 1992…), but I couldn’t really think of any bona fide three-team tussles. Helpfully, the aforementioned BBC piece cites (appropriately enough) three occasions where just a couple of points separated the top three at this stage of the season 2013-24, 2001-02 and 1995-96

The latter campaign was, of course, extra memorable for Kevin Keegan’s infamous “I will love it if we beat them ” tirade as Man Utd ultimately hunted down the Magpies’ faltering title tilt With eight games to go, Liverpool were only a couple of points behind

the top two but finished a distant 11 behind the champions and seven away from the Geordies.

Given the twists and turns of fate this year, it is somewhat ironic to note that in a spot of final day drama, the Reds condemned a certain Manchester City to relegation. The odds were stacked against Alan Ball’s side, but a win at Anfield would have been enough to keep them up As it was, a 2-2 draw saw them drop through the trapdoor with QPR and Bolton as Southampton and Coventry survived on goal difference

Final Day Goal difference City deflated, Liverpool elated? You heard it here first!