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BMF wins 2025 Stunell Award for apprenticeship innovations image
BMF wins 2025 Stunell Award for apprenticeship innovations
17 October, 2025
The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has been recognised by the National Home Improvement Council’s (NHIC) for outstanding leadership in apprenticeships and skills.
Report finds apprenticeship shortfall threatens government housebuilding pledge image
Report finds apprenticeship shortfall threatens government housebuilding pledge
While job demand surges across construction, the apprenticeship system that should be feeding these trades is failing to deliver, according to new data.
Travis Perkins Plc backs renewed flood focus image
Travis Perkins Plc backs renewed flood focus
The building materials supplier reaffirms its commitment to helping tradespeople when emergencies strike.
CITB launches free inclusive recruitment training for SMEs image
CITB launches free inclusive recruitment training for SMEs
The training is hosted on the SME Community Hub, an online platform from the Supply Chain Sustainability School.
Builders Merchants Federation shares ideas for growth with Chancellor image
Builders Merchants Federation shares ideas for growth with Chancellor
The pre-Budget submission reflects its focus on increasing construction activity in Britain following several years of little or no growth.
Midlands construction community unites to raise £167,000 for local charities image
Midlands construction community unites to raise £167,000 for local charities
The event highlighted the daily dedication and hard work that keeps the sector thriving, while also underscoring the value of collaboration and community spirit.
Huws Gray publishes second sustainability report, with new targets image
Huws Gray publishes second sustainability report, with new targets
Huws Gray has published its second sustainability report, as a further step toward its long-term commitment to responsible business practices.
IBC joins NBG in new strategic alliance image
IBC joins NBG in new strategic alliance
The partnership represents a powerful step forward for both organisations, underpinned by shared values and a commitment to securing a stronger future for independent merchants.
World Mental Health Day: top tips to share image
World Mental Health Day: top tips to share
Health and safety consultant Safety Group offers advice for employers across the building materials industry to help employees.
Host named for 2026 NMBS Conference image
Host named for 2026 NMBS Conference
Award winning TV presenter Jake Humphrey will be in charge of the eagerly anticipated event at Spain’s Costa Blanca next June.
NMBS still supporting Troy members six months on from the business’s closure image
NMBS still supporting Troy members six months on from the business’s closure
The buying society has carried out a Net Promoter Score assessment, which shows what the new customers make of the change to NMBS.
Jewson community outreach strategy donates funds, skills and knowledge image
Jewson community outreach strategy donates funds, skills and knowledge
Jewson is supporting local communities across its branch network, helping to train the next generation of construction workers and donating funds and skills to initiatives around the UK.
New BMF report sets the standard for trade customer experience image
New BMF report sets the standard for trade customer experience
The Builders Merchant Branch of the Future, a report sponsored by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF), is designed to set new standards for the trade customer experience for the next decade.
P&H merchants July value sales still rising, but volumes are down, finds PHMI image
P&H merchants July value sales still rising, but volumes are down, finds PHMI
The latest figures from the Plumbing & Heating Merchant Index (PHMI) report show total value sales for July 2025 through specialist plumbing and heating merchants were up +4.1% compared to July 2024. Volume sales dropped -2.1% though, while prices rose +6.3% year-on-year. There was no difference in trading days.
Murdock opens its first Home Centre, in Antrim image
Murdock opens its first Home Centre, in Antrim
Murdock Builders Merchants has opened its first-ever Murdock Home Centre, in Antrim, marking a new chapter for the company.
Forgefix’s Bessemer Park facility becomes BMF Centre of Excellence image
Forgefix’s Bessemer Park facility becomes BMF Centre of Excellence
ForgeFix has announced that its new facility at Bessemer Park in Sheffield has officially been named a Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) Centre of Excellence.
Report finds a quarter of tradespeople plan to retire in next five years image
Report finds a quarter of tradespeople plan to retire in next five years
The UK is facing a growing trade skills shortage, with one in four tradespeople planning to retire within the next five years, according to Screwfix’s 2025 Voice of the Trade report.
Building costs to increase by 15% over next five years, forecasts BCIS image
Building costs to increase by 15% over next five years, forecasts BCIS
Building costs will increase by 15% over the next five years to 3Q2030, while tender prices will rise by 16% over the same period, according to the latest construction forecast data from the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS). New work output is expected to grow by 18% between 2025 and 2030.
Newport builders’ merchant family take on Cardiff half marathon for cancer charity image
Newport builders’ merchant family take on Cardiff half marathon for cancer charity
Family-run builders merchants J&A Phillips, located in Newport, is celebrating the efforts of business owner Michael Birch and his son Jonathan, who completed the Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday 5th October.
Alsford cycling team raises over £10,000 for charity image
Alsford cycling team raises over £10,000 for charity
Staff from Alsford Timber & Builder’s Merchant have raised over £10,000 by completing a cycling challenge.
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