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Huws Gray partners with Slimstock to automate and centralise supply chain planning

7 April, 2026

Huws Gray will adopt Slimstock’s AI-powered supply chain planning platform to automate ordering across the branch network.

Mad March Million a huge success

Builders' merchant sector helps smash two million step milestone set by Rainy Day Trust.

Tilhill trials automated tree planting

Tilhill Forestry, a member of BSW Group, has successfully trialled the automated tree planting machine, PlantMax, to support the future delivery of new woodlands.

Premier Forest Products signs Welsh Corporate Parenting Charter

Premier Forest Products has reinforced its commitment to social responsibility by becoming the first private sector company to sign the Welsh Government’s Corporate Parenting Charter.

UK’s relationship with Europe in the spotlight at BMF Conference

Professor Anand Menon, a leading expert on the UK’s relationship with Europe, will offer a fresh perspective on future relations at the BMF Annual Members Conference in September.

5 Star opens refurbished Kidderminster trade showroom

A trade showroom will reopen later this week, after a £500,000 investment by a Kidderminster-based home improvement specialist.

P&H January sales up due to price increases

The latest figures from the Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) report show total like-for-like value sales (adjusted to remove the impact of trading days) for January 2026 through specialist plumbing and heating merchants were up +3.0% compared to the same month the year before. Like-for-like volume sales were down -2.8%, however prices rose +6.0%.

JT Atkinson expands into Northumberland with new Ponteland branch

JT Atkinson, a 166 year old family-run builders’ merchant in the North East, has announced the opening of its first branch in Northumberland.

Vaillant joins the BMF

Vaillant is the latest in a growing community of plumbing and heating specialists to join the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF).

Simon Acres Group And Bathroom Association to collaborate on industry support initiatives

Simon Acres Group and the Bathroom Association have announced a collaboration and a series of initiatives.

CLC group warns of wide-ranging impact of Middle East conflict

The, co-chairs of the Construction Leadership Council’s Material Supply Chain Group have issued their monthly statement, warning of turbulent times ahead.

Nominations open for Builders’ Merchants Awards 2026

As the industry’s longest running awards ceremony hits 25, the process begins to find the businesses or individuals whose outstanding achievements are worthy of recognition among their peers.

Huws Gray fined £2.2 million after worker killed in conveyor crush

Huws Gray has been fined more than £2 million after one of its workers was crushed to death by a pallet of timber that weighed around three tonnes.

MKM Building Supplies launches MKM Foundation

The new charitable foundation has been created to strengthen the business’s long-standing commitment to local communities across the UK.

Lords Builders Merchants and Advance Roofing Supplies open joint branch in Bury St Edmunds

Lords Builders Merchants and Advance Roofing Supplies have opened a joint site in Bury St Edmunds.

Selco teams up with Rob Bent for Community Heroes campaign 2026

Selco Builders Warehouse has launched its Community Heroes campaign for 2026, inviting community groups to apply for funding for projects that make a positive impact in their local areas.

BCF calls for support for its PaintCare recycling scheme at Parliamentary Reception

The British Coatings Federation hosted a Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons Terrace Pavillion on Tuesday 24th March.

Plumb Centre teams up with Haier and Passiv UK to launch heat pump package

A bundle integrating the Passiv Smart Thermostat with Haier heat pumps will be exclusively available from Plumb Centre.

Wienerberger secures funding for world’s first hydrogen kiln

Wienerberger UK & Ireland has secured government funding that will enable its landmark hydrogen kiln project at its brickworks in Denton, Greater Manchester, to proceed.

Industry welcomes Future Homes Standard announcement

A number of industry organisations have given a cautious welcome to the government's newly published Future Homes Standard.

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