News

P&H January sales up due to price increases

2 April, 2026

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.

Premier Forest celebrates victory at Newport Business Awards

Premier Forest Products has achieved a hat trick at the Newport Business Awards 2026, winning Business of the Year, Manufacturing Business of the Year, and the Community Award.

New research highlights what plumbers want from merchants

New research from Knipex offering some insight into what plumbers value in their tools could help shape better conversations at the trade counter.

Travis Perkins helps to rejuvenate West Northamptonshire community space

Travis Perkins and Travis Perkins Managed Services have revitalised a key area of West Northampton this spring, providing materials and volunteer support to transform Park Square in Kings Heath.

Half of kitchen retailers say supply chain issues are hitting their business

Half of independent kitchen retailers surveyed as part of a new study say that supply chain issues have had a significant impact on their business operations.

Huws Gray opens new strategic business division

Huws Gray has launched a new National Account Solutions division, reinforcing, it says, its commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience.

Alrik launches in the UK

Beck Group, a UK supplier of protection materials for construction, has partnered with Alrik to automate its transport operations; marking Alrik’s entry into the UK market.

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