Also in the News...

• RICS remarks on housebuilding figures

  Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist, has commented on the latest government housebuilding figures.

• Travis Perkins sales down 1.2 percent

  In an interim statement, Travis Perkins has reported a 1.2 percent decrease in revenue for the four-month period ending April 2013 compared to the same period last year. Like-for-like sales were 1.8 percent lower.

• New Q1 2013 reports indicate work for trades will increase

  The recent report from The National House-Building Council (NHBC) has shown that the number of new homes being planned in 2013 has risen by 22 percent against the same period last year.

• Green Deal could stall without SME support

  Small building companies need fairer access to the Green Deal (GD) market if the shortage of installers is to be addressed, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has warned in response to the latest statistics from the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC).

• Hat-trick for Catnic’s Christine

  Christine Wilde, managing director of Catnic, continues her exceptional year by winning the Institute of Directors’ (IOD) South Wales regional Director of the Year award.

• System Hygienics appoints new sales pair

  System Hygienics is pleased to announce two new additions to its growing sales department.

• Jewson sponsors York rugby

  The Jewson logo features on the front of York Acorn’s rugby jerseys under a new sponsorship deal.

• Professionals support sustainable development

  Research conducted by CareerStructure.com has found that 78 percent of professionals believe that a greater focus on sustainability within the built environment could help to boost overall industry growth.

• Grafton remains cautious

  Grafton Group reported turnover for the four months to the end of April of EUR677m, up EUR1m on the same period last year. Trading for the period was influenced by poor weather and continued weakness in the merchant’s markets.

• Balfour Beatty construction revenue plummets

  Balfour Beatty’s UK construction arm reported a 23 percent fall in revenue in the first four months of 2013.

• Green Deal assessments continue to increase

  The number of Green Deal assessments carried out in April rose 28 percent to 9,522, the Government has said. Since the launch, 18,816 assessments have been made.

• Jewson offers new online service

  Jewson has responded to customer feedback and is now offering an online account management service to all its account holders.

• Latest MCS figures “extremely disappointing”

  A spokesman from one of the UK's leading manufacturers of heating and hot water technologies has expressed concern over the latest MCS registration figures released by DECC.

• HSS Hire allies with Carey Group

  HSS Hire recently announced the signing of an exclusive agreement with Carey Group as preferred suppliers of small tools and access equipment, following a competitive tender process.

• BMF welcomes extra support for apprenticeship training

  The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has welcomed the National Merchant Buying Society’s (NMBS) 50th Anniversary pledge to bring at least 50 new apprentices into the industry.

• Prospects “still poor” as construction activity falls in Q1

  The latest Construction Trade Survey, published today (13 May), shows that activity in the majority of the construction industry fell during the first quarter of 2013 with the impacts of falling demand exacerbated by the impacts of poor weather.