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Business News Wales
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Wales Sees 15% Rise in Sales of Building Materials
Wales outperformed the rest of the UK for sales of building materials in March, with a 15.4% leap compared to the same month in 2024. Analysis from the BMF (Builders Merchants Federation), found Wales was also leading the field for the first quarter of 2025 when compared to Q1 last year, with a jump of 5.9% in sales. The BMF's quarterly Building Materials Building Index (BMBI) evaluates building materials sales on a quarterly basis and is considered to be a key bellwether for the national economic picture. BMF CEO John Newcomb said: 'The building materials sector is critical to the lifeblood of the Welsh economy and reflects the 'mood of the nation' – particularly around home repair, maintenance and improvement. 'On a national level in March, the total volume of sales was +11.2% that at the same time last year – a clear increase in demand for building materials, aided by a fall in prices of -3.6% when compared to March 2024. 'When comparing Q1 2025 to Q1 2024, total volume sales were +3.9% and prices were -2.9% down. 'With a jump of 15.4% sales in March and 5.9% in Q1, it's clear Wales is leading the field in terms of building materials sales so far in 2025.'
Scotsman
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Building materials sector in Scotland unites to lay groundwork for government housing push
A skills and recruitment drive across the multi-billion-pound building materials sector, designed to showcase opportunities in areas including Scotland, has been welcomed by Minister of State for Industry, Sarah Jones MP. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Led by the BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) the Building Materials Careers programme aims to channel talented and ambitious people across the region into the sector. Launched early this year, the initiative centres around the message of 'Make A Material Difference' and is the culmination of more than two years of cross-industry collaboration, harnessing the power of a £51 billion sector with over 1,000 companies joining forces to tackle the recruitment challenges ahead. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Focused on attracting new skills in vital areas of the sector, the campaign, targets school leavers and trainees to attract new recruits into building materials. John Carter, CEO STARK Building Materials UK Ltd It also targets career leavers such as Armed Forces veterans, and career changers, to attract the diversity of skills needed for the future success of the sector in areas including sustainability, innovation and delivering products that can enhance productivity out on building sites. To showcase the opportunities in the sector, BMF members have shared their own experiences and career journeys on the dedicated website to provide a window on the opportunities available. The online portal also includes details of vacancies in the sector. BMF CEO John Newcomb said: 'Manufacturers, suppliers and merchants in the Scotland building materials sector need to be considered as the lifeblood of the construction industry, and our members are laying the groundwork now for the scale up required to meet Government targets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Increased amounts of building materials from bricks and mortar to plasterboard and fixings will be needed by the construction industry if it is to meet the government's pledged 1.5 million homes.' BMF CEO John Newcomb Building Materials Careers builds on the BMF's hugely successful Apprenticeship Pledge, which set a target of securing 15,000 apprenticeship places within the sector by 2030 and exceeded that target in January - five years ahead of schedule. Minister of State for Industry Sarah Jones MP said: 'We are aware of the scale of the skills and workforce challenge in the construction sector and are working to address this across government. 'Initiatives such as 'Make a Material Difference' campaign and the BMF Apprenticeship Pledge' are helpful examples of existing industry programmes in this space, given the importance of both attracting new entrants to the sector and retaining them.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad John Carter, CEO STARK Building Materials UK Ltd, which encompasses brands including Jewson, JP Corry, Normans, Minster and Frazer, also endorsed the campaign. He said: 'Being a professional tradesperson takes a high degree of skill that is often misunderstood and overlooked when you consider a completed building project. It's important to remember they're both craftspeople and business entrepreneurs.
Scotsman
13-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Building materials sector in Edinburgh unites to lay groundwork for government housing push
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now A skills and recruitment drive across the multi-billion-pound building materials sector, designed to showcase opportunities in areas including Edinburgh, has been welcomed by Minister of State for Industry, Sarah Jones MP. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Led by the BMF (Builders Merchants Federation) the Building Materials Careers programme aims to channel talented and ambitious people across the region into the sector. Launched early this year, the initiative centres around the message of 'Make A Material Difference' and is the culmination of more than two years of cross-industry collaboration, harnessing the power of a £51 billion sector with over 1,000 companies joining forces to tackle the recruitment challenges ahead. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Focused on attracting new skills in vital areas of the sector, the campaign, targets school leavers and trainees to attract new recruits into building materials. John Carter, CEO STARK Building Materials UK Ltd It also targets career leavers such as Armed Forces veterans, and career changers, to attract the diversity of skills needed for the future success of the sector in areas including sustainability, innovation and delivering products that can enhance productivity out on building sites. To showcase the opportunities in the sector, BMF members have shared their own experiences and career journeys on the dedicated website to provide a window on the opportunities available. The online portal also includes details of vacancies in the sector. BMF CEO John Newcomb said: 'Manufacturers, suppliers and merchants in the Edinburgh building materials sector need to be considered as the lifeblood of the construction industry, and our members are laying the groundwork now for the scale up required to meet Government targets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Increased amounts of building materials from bricks and mortar to plasterboard and fixings will be needed by the construction industry if it is to meet the government's pledged 1.5 million homes.' John Newcomb, Builders Merchants Federation CEO Building Materials Careers builds on the BMF's hugely successful Apprenticeship Pledge, which set a target of securing 15,000 apprenticeship places within the sector by 2030 and exceeded that target in January - five years ahead of schedule. Minister of State for Industry Sarah Jones MP said: 'We are aware of the scale of the skills and workforce challenge in the construction sector and are working to address this across government. 'Initiatives such as 'Make a Material Difference' campaign and the BMF Apprenticeship Pledge' are helpful examples of existing industry programmes in this space, given the importance of both attracting new entrants to the sector and retaining them.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad John Carter, CEO STARK Building Materials UK Ltd, which encompasses brands including Jewson and Frazer, endorsed the campaign. He said: 'Being a professional tradesperson takes a high degree of skill that is often misunderstood and overlooked when you consider a completed building project. It's important to remember they're both craftspeople and business entrepreneurs. 'As a leading UK builders' merchant and distributor of materials, we play a key role in making sure customers have the range of quality products available that they need for the job and the service expertise to help them grow their businesses. 'The campaign complements the work that STARK UK is doing to promote and support the many opportunities in our sector – and what better way than hearing people's first-hand accounts of what it's like to enjoy a successful career in the trades, supporting full inclusion in construction, apprentices and former military personnel.'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
York businessman takes regional building industry role
A York-based businessman has been appointed Regional Chair for the North of England by national trade body, the BMF (Builders Merchants Federation). Martin Armour, Commercial Director at Burton Roofing Merchants Ltd, has taken up the role, which involves representing builders' merchants and suppliers across Yorkshire and the North East region. With more than 25 years' experience in the building materials sector and based at a specialist roofing materials supplier with a worldwide distribution network, Martin brings a wealth of industry experience to represent BMF members across the North of England. Building materials supply is a multi-billion-pound sector and the BMF represents and protects the interests of builders' merchants and suppliers in the UK and Ireland. RECOMMENDED READING: Aptamer Group deal with Neuro-Bio Ltd on Alzheimer's tests Harrogate buildings featuring Bodycare and Pandora for sale As part of his new role, Martin will play an integral part in supporting BMF activities in Yorkshire and the North East, such as the Building Materials Careers programme The programme centres around the message of 'Make A Material Difference' and is the culmination of more than two years of cross-industry collaboration, harnessing the power of a £51 billion sector. With over 1,000 companies joining forces to attract new skills into vital areas of the sector, the initiative aims to channel talented and ambitious people – from school leavers to ex-military personnel – into building materials supply. Martin said: 'I'm honoured to take on the role of Regional Chair for the North of England at the BMF. 'This is a fantastic opportunity to support our Yorkshire and the North East members, ensuring their voices are heard at a national level. 'I look forward to working closely with the BMF team and our members to drive growth, share insights, and strengthen our industry's impact.' Martin takes over the role from Rachel Fryers, Managing Director of Skipton-based Merritt & Fryers. Rachel, a member of the Board of the BMF, has held the position of Acting Chair for the trade body in the North of England since 2022. BMF CEO John Newcomb added: 'This is a vital position for the building materials sector in the region and our thanks go to Rachel Fryers for her commitment to the role. 'Martin will lead regional events including meetings and forums, as well as providing feedback and insight on the market conditions and current trading patterns for businesses in Yorkshire and across the North East.'
