Opinion

What is the best timber for your project?

14 October, 2021

Stuart Kemp, MD of online timber merchant Timbersource, explains how to get the right balance between a timber that's right for the job and one that can be sourced relatively easily for the client.

Trading after furlough: can you afford redundancies?

With the furlough scheme ending on 30 September, waves of redundancies are forecast to take place over the coming months – so it’s vital merchants think about their future. However, redundancy does come with its own costs, as Nicola Holton, a legal director at Shakespeare Martineau, explains.

Building an environmental sustainabilty agenda

The construction sector has to play a big role in achieving the Government’s ambitious net zero targets. Bradfords Building Supplies has set out to champion sustainability in the industry, as newly promoted Head of Sustainability, Giles Bradford, explains.

Beware of HMRC clawback as furlough scheme ends, says MHA

With the furlough scheme coming to an end on 30 September, Nigel Morris, Employment Tax Director at MHA, a network of independent accountancy firms, argues that the scheme was a qualified success, but that businesses need to take action now to ensure HMRC doesn’t try to clawback furlough money.

Carbon neutral versus carbon negative - what is the difference?

Carbon dioxide emissions are one of the most significant drivers of climate change so there is an urgent need for products and businesses to achieve carbon neutrality. West Fraser explain how it has gone significantly further and is now net carbon negative.

Construction crisis on the horizon?

Andrew Huxley, Managing Director of concrete block manufacturer, Besblock, says the industry needs to find a solution and take action before it's too late.

The importance of creating merchant friendly PoS

Bethany Hall, Onduline's sales manager, explains why good Point of Sale is such an important tool for today’s merchants and how the leading supplier of lightweight roofing sheets is helping with its latest PoS innovation.

Merritt & Fryers Adapting for COVID-19

The government’s guide to working safely during the pandemic has changed since restrictions were lifted on July 19. With COVID-19 still a threat, it is important that everyone in construction continues to do their bit to protect our colleagues and customers. After speaking to Travis Perkins and Bradfords Building Supplies, we now hear the story of Merritt & Fryers.

How Travis Perkins embraced safer working during COVID-19 pandemic

With COVID-19 still a threat, it is important that everyone in construction continues to do their bit to protect our colleagues and customers. We spoke to representatives at Travis Perkins to hear their advice for the industry, following the changes to government guidance on July 19.

Bradfords Building Supplies reveals how it adapted for Covid-19

With COVID-19 still a threat, it is important that everyone in construction continues to do their bit to protect its colleagues and customers. In the first of three exclusive articles talking to different sized businesses in the builders' merchant sector, Bradfords Building Supplies shares its own experiences.

A safety note on letterplate compliance

Richard Morris from door security and hardware specialist, UAP, explains what builders’ merchants need to know about letterplates to enable installers to make select secure, safe and compliant products.

Optimism aplenty for a positive summer for UK construction

Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, thinks the industry looks set for a bright future as average weekly hours worked in UK construction finally return to pre-Covid levels.

Building materials shortages: Why valuing customer loyalty is key in a crisis

After an unprecedented year that saw the Covid-19 pandemic sweep the country and Brexit finally take place, the construction industry is starting to feel the side effects in the form of material shortages and price increases. Adrian Buttress, managing director at PermaGroup, discusses his approach to the ongoing crisis and how it’s brought the importance of customer loyalty to the fore like never before.

Guttering: a property’s first line of defence against the elements

Dave Osborne, Technical Manager at Swish Building Products, highlights the importance of correct guttering system installation and offers advice on achieving the best results for both new and replacement projects.

CCF shares business values virtually

Leading insulation and interior building products distributor, CCF, has held a virtual event to highlight its aims for the rest of 2021 and the successes from last year. Catherine Gibson, Managing Director, shares key updates from the virtual event and CCF’s future plans.

Technology cannot be at the heart of the future of construction without effective connectivity

Drew Morris, Sales Director at Comms365, highlights the need for construction sites to conquer the basics of connectivity to be future-ready.

Welsh timber manufacturer speaks out against unwanted burden of Brexit cost

Josh Burbidge, Managing Director of Archwood Group, has revealed the pressures his companies are facing from long delays and extra costs due to Brexit and urges a more ‘streamlined’ approach to paperwork.

National construction products regulator ‘an opportunity to reset the compliance bar’

The establishment of a new regulator to ensure homes are built from safe materials is ‘an opportunity to reset the compliance bar’ and further strengthen the message that products must be fit for purpose’, says SIG’s Commercial Director Andy Williamson.

New Approved Document specifies the use of pipe collars and grommets

PipeSnug has welcomed the Government response to its own consultation on the Part L of the Building Regulations, which specifies the use of pipe grommets and collars on incoming service penetrations and internal building services in new build dwellings.

Actis welcomes NHBC's report on the future construction

An in-depth NHBC report into how lessons learned from the past century can help increase the use of timber frame and other Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in the future has been welcomed by insulation specialist Actis.

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