Britain’s builders’ merchants sales to builders bounced back strongly in the three months May to July, with value sales surging 38.9% ahead compared with February to April, as reported in July’s Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI) report.

Compared with the same three months of 2019 sales were down 13.4% overall, but July sales were only 1.3% below July 2019 and some categories were ahead. Landscaping (+25.4%), Workwear & Safetywear (+21.3%) and Timber & Joinery Products (+1.5%) were up on the same month last year.

“Released this week, these sales figures demonstrate the resilience and strength of a V-shaped recovery in the sector,” says Mike Rigby CEO of MRA Research which produces the BMBI reports.

profine UK have expanded their sales team following the purchase of the Evolve, Legend and Warmcore brands earlier this year and following on from an 18-month period of strong growth for the KÖMMERLING brand in the UK.

The sales function of profine UK is led by Brian McDonald, sales director, who has been with the company for over five years and is supported by area managers, Gareth Parton, Ian Smith, Gary Tamburro and newly appointed Neil Coutts, who had been the customer service manager in both the previous businesses. Completing the team are Leigh Cooper as commercial manager, Jason Scrivens as national sales manager for fabricated products, along with an internal sales team under Paula Wilson, sales administration manager and Katie Wilson, sales integration manager.

Yale has announced that it will be sponsoring National Home Security Month (NHSM) for its eighth consecutive year.

The annual campaign, which this year is themed ‘You call it home, we keep it secure’, aims to raise awareness around the importance of home security. Offering advice, breaking down technical jargon, and debunking myths for homeowners across the UK, NHSM helps to drive demand for security products and installation services nationwide.

Paul Atkinson, Sales and Commercial Director for Yale commented: “At Yale, NHSM has become a highlight of our calendar each year because of the good it does for homeowners and for the industry. It’s truly a great initiative to be involved with.

The total value of construction contract awards in August 2020 was £4.4 billion based on a three-month rolling average. This is 21.2% higher than for July but is a decline of 8.5% compared with August 2019.

The rolling three-month average data is positive, but examination of the raw monthly data shows that contract awards in August were 37.6% lower than for July with value of £3.9 billion. However, July was particularly buoyant and the raw monthly data for August perhaps reflects a return to more normal growth levels, however, is still 146.9% higher than the recent low point of £1.6 billion for May 2020.

The latest edition of the Economic & Construction Market Review from industry analysts Barbour ABI, highlights levels of construction contract values awarded across Great Britain.

Morley Glass & Glazing has launched a new asset to give its customers another string to their bow, in the form of an updated brochure for its Uni-Blinds® product range.

The 96-page brochure is ideal for retail showrooms and provides a wealth of information on the company’s popular ScreenLine integral blind systems. Within the brochure, you’ll find sections covering the different control options, colour choices and information regarding different glazing specifications, as well as an outline of the company’s sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) credentials.

The brochure features a variety of high-quality lifestyle images of the product in situ, as well as an insight into Morley’s own manufacturing processes along with background information on ScreenLine® manufacturer Pellini’s operations in Italy.

Specialist aluminium fabricator CDW Systems has added flat roof lights from Smart to its product offering in response to demand from customers.

The Gloucester-based CDW, part of the East Manor Group, is offering Smart Systems’ high-performance, high-quality Aliver Rooflight system, a fixed, flat solution which creates a contemporary look for any property.

Jeremy Phillips, Group Chairman, said: “Our customers have been asking for roof lights so being able to offer the Aliver Rooflight system fills a gap in our portfolio. We were buying in an alternative fabricated system but we’re now fabricating Smart Aliver ourselves.

“The rooflight market is really big now and we’ve had good demand. We’re offering set sizes at a quick turnaround in standard colours.”

investment in improving customer experience on its six e-commerce sites, with recommended product purchases doubling since the company invested in a new onsite personalisation solution.

In the six months since CMO partnered with artificial intelligence (AI) pioneer Peak, its onsite personalisation solution is driving twice as many transactions as the site’s original non-AI recommender tool. The solution, part of Peak’s Customer AI offering, creates hyper-personalised product recommendations at the point of sale across CMO’s web superstores.

What’s more, over a fifth of all transactions on the sites have involved an interaction with the solution, proving that customers are using and benefiting from the new technology.

150 Spectus Elite 70 flush tilt and turn windows were specified in the development of 26 two bed flats for social rent, including 10 amenity homes on an urban site in the heart of Paisley, Renfrewshire. The new development replaces the former Arnotts department store in the town’s new Abbey Quarter.

The project was secured by Spectus Approved Window Contractor Walker Profiles Ltd, a leading manufacturer, supplier and installer based in Motherwell.

The high-profile city centre location of the flats meant the aesthetics of the windows were paramount. The flats had a streamlined design aesthetic with a carefully selected materials palette and well-planned interior spaces offering generous daylight from the windows.

By Ian Latimer, Managing Director, Emmegi (UK)

Compare the Emmegi product line up with most of the competition and you’ll see it’s considerably more extensive. Where our competitors might have one model in each category, we will almost invariably have two, three, or even four.

I think that’s because Emmegi in Italy is fundamentally a company run by engineers, in a country where engineering flair and ingenuity is celebrated and admired. It’s no coincidence that Emmegi is based in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, also the home of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Ducati.

Keylite Roof Windows (Keylite), part of The Keystone Group, has appointed Jim Blanthorne as Managing Director, with effect 1st September 2020.

With over 18 years’ experience in operations and senior management roles within the building products market, including four years as Operations Director for Keylite, Jim brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the role.

Jim commented: “In my new role I’m looking forward to building on the successes of previous years. Keylite is a multi-award winning, global supplier committed to manufacturing innovative products supported by extensive R&D and exceptional quality.

With a commitment to improving every area of the business, trade fabricator Dekko Window Systems has made a significant investment in a brand-new fleet of 11 commercial vehicles.

Dekko, which specialises in premium uPVC, aluminium and timber-effect glazing products, has enhanced their operation with three 18-tonne lorries, five 7.5-tonne trucks and three 3.5-tonne Luton vans. The move is designed to improve Dekko’s logistical capabilities, allowing them to effectively meet the supply demands of their nationwide network of trade partners.

Kurt Greatrex, Sales Director at Dekko comments: “We can make all the manufacturing upgrades we want, but without effective investment in our operation, it will all be in vain. We are therefore delighted to introduce our brand-new fleet of Dekko branded commercial vehicles.

Specialist fabricator Mercury Glazing has announced a further new appointment to support its ambitious growth strategy. Kevin Edmond has joined the Gloucester-based fabricator in the position of Order Processor.

Steve Cross, Director at Mercury, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kevin to Mercury. Kevin’s appointment further strengthens our internal sales processing team. He is well respected in the industry, and his extensive knowledge and experience will be of benefit to our growing customer base.”

Kevin is well-known in the industry having spent nine years working for the Customade Group and building a close relationship with many installers and builders throughout the UK.

Leading safety glass specialist TuffX is looking to the road ahead, recently adding four vehicle upgrades to its fleet ready to offer customers its best-ever service with increased delivery capacity and flexibility.

The new vehicles include a sprinter van, a 7.5-tonne truck, a 10-tonne truck and a 13-tonne truck – a range of sizes that complement the existing fleet and ensure TuffX can continue to be relied on to deliver products economically on a large scale, along with rural deliveries on routes with potentially restricted access.

The improved vehicle fleet means TuffX’s customers are now served better than ever when it comes to fulfilling orders on its popular conservatory glass and processed glass products, such as balcony and balustrade glass.

Due to an increased demand for outside space from home owners and house builders, handrail and balustrades specialist SMART Balustrades has expanded its services – adding the installation of platform balconies to its portfolio.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, Staffordshire-based SMART Balustrades experienced an increase in enquiries for its bespoke installations, particularly from home owners and house builders looking to add outside space and new living areas to existing properties.

A recent report by YouGov found that 14% of home buyers now see a balcony as more important following the pandemic*.