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The article discusses the importance of being an independent company as it provides flexibility to make decisions. The example of building, plumber and timber materials supplier Frank Key Group is discussed. The Nottingham, England-based builders merchant and tool hire group in its 110th year acquired the tool hire business C Bancroft Ltd. and they also got the company's ironmonger Charles Watson. Another advantage of the acquisition for Frank Key being Charles Watson's online trading.

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor discusses various reports in the issue on the topics including one on the Great Britain (UK) economy, the other on the confidence in the construction sector and the funds from Inflexion Private Equity Partners LLP.

The article reports on how Andrews Building Supplies has realized the British company is a builders merchant and highlights it goal to redevelop to make more of what the company is. Topics include how the group developed from a small builders operation into building on a grander scale, how the company has managed to grow through the 2008 recession, and how the merchanting operation came about.

The article offers information on the importance of a well trained, knowledgeable workforce to the success of independent mixed builders merchant RGB Building Supplies. According to Jenny Naylor of RGB, the knowledge and expertise of their best trained staff will bring the customers back to their business. The company also uses the experience of suppliers to offer more intense training where needed in addition to product training.

The article reports on the good performance of builders merchants in Great Britain as of April 2017.

The article examines how the independent builders merchants meet and deal with the challenges in sustainability and renewable energy in Great Britain. It suggests builders merchants to get their sustainability packages because builder customers get into sustainability. It notes that the recycling and waste changes reflect the general changing attitude towards these issues, but not because of the company's environmental efforts.

The article discusses whether the construction industry is prepared for the Green Deal policy in Great Britain. It notes the primary aim of the policy which is to improve the efficiency of energy consumption of homes across the country. Executive Steve Robinson contends that both the opposition and the government are not wiser on how the operation of the scheme. Robinson is also not convinced that the general public is well-prepared for the policy.

The article focuses on the success in business of George Bence & Sons which is a family-owned builders merchant in Great Britain. The company is managed by Paul Bence who is the recipient of the Gloucestershire Young Business Person of the Year Award. According to Bence, the goal of the company is to raise the profile of its customer sections.

The author discusses the implication of the rise in VAT for the construction distribution market in Great Britain, noting the effort of trade associations to prevent amendments to the Finance Bill to increase the existing rate of 5% to 20%.

The article discusses developments in the British construction and merchanting industries as of October 2015. Topics include the move of construction company Travis Perkins to rejoin the Builders Merchants Federation, the reliance of builders on their merchant to have what they need in stock, and the need for builders to shop around through various digital purchasing options.

The author discusses the lack of ambition for people in Great Britain to do "Do it Yourself" (DIY) and prefer the "Do it for me" culture. She mentions that people in the pre-2007 boom years were all time-poor and cash-rich that they paid someone else to do builders' jobs that they are less than confident on tackling. She states that anything that sends people from the industry's point of view, via their plumber or builder, to a builders merchant instead of a DIY store is good news.

The article discusses the investment in the construction industry of Great Britain.

The author discusses the importance of good relationship established between builders and their merchants and suppliers to ensure that the rights products got delivered in time, at the right point in the building process, and at the right time.

In this article, the author discusses the impact of recession on the financial performances of builders merchants in Great Britain.

The article reports on the findings of the survey by the Federation of Master Builders which indicated that the workloads of the small to medium sized building firms have fallen to its lowest level since the first quarter of 2009.

The article reports on the belief of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) that value-added tax (VAT) reduction on domestic repair and maintenance work could turn empty properties into homes and tackle the housing crisis in 2010 in Great Britain.

The article reports on an interim management statement released by British and Irish builders merchant chain, Grafton Group PLC, which emphasizes a consistent increase in like for like sales since February 2010.

The article reports on the disappointment of the construction industry on the failure of Chancellor of Exchequer George Osborne to cut the rate of value-added tax (VAT) on housing in Great Britain. Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) and Federation of Builders Merchants (FBM) members cite the significance of reduced VAT rate on the construction industry and merchants. Michael Ankers of the Construction Products Association (CPA) states the promotion of housing energy efficiency in low VAT rate.

The article forecasts the recession of the construction industry in Great Britain. The Construction Products Association predicts that the industry will still be in recession, notwithstanding the 0.2% increase in gross domestic product (GDP) for the first quarter of 2010. The forecast shows the 3% decline in terms of construction activity during the year at 16 billion pounds. It expects the infrastructure sector to grow 42% by 2014.

The article reports on the announcement of British builders merchant group Travis Perkins PLC regarding the 11% decline of its sales and pre-tax profits in 2009. Travis Perkins PLC's group revenue was down eight percent at 2.9 billion pounds, and revenue for the merchanting division decreased by 12% to 1.95 billion pounds. Furthermore, like-for-like sales in the merchanting division decreased by 13.5%.

The article reflects the opinion of the author on the growth of the market share of the top builders in Great Britain. The author emphasized that plenty of small merchants have increased their spread, strength and sales by acquiring either competitors or businesses to take them in a slightly different direction. She added that such development manifest that there are plenty of other independents bubbling along below the turnover value, competing with each other and their larger competitors.

The article comments on the preparation for the Interbuild, a largest show the entire construction industry and scheduled at the end of October 2007 in Great Britain. Organizers conducted marketing surveys in order to invite exhibitors and attract customers with their latest innovative products. The author cited that the industry needs to adopt the changes in terms of construction needs of the customers.

Comments on the significance of the changes in the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) in Great Britain. Appointment of the new members of the board and chairman Kevin Cubbage; Imposition of radical changes in BMF by the new administration; Plans and aim of BMF to become the best trade association in building materials and supply industry and its expected achievement date.

Discusses the state of the construction industry in Great Britain. Impact of the decline of the housing market; Implications of the selection of the country as host in the 2012 Olympic Games; Potential of building regeneration to take place.

Pays tribute to Bob Beaver, managing director of Shropshire Building Supplies in England. Career history; Commitment to the independent cause; Recognition of the need to work together to ensure the future remains healthy and profitable for merchants and manufacturers.

Emphasizes the need for the building industry to focus on key business sectors and improve its service and performance. Consolidation of the merchant and suppliers sectors; Construction companies' recognition of the strengths of their brands and the businesses they have acquired.

Discusses benefits to building supply companies of having satisfied employees. Cost reduction in terms of absenteeism; Fulfilling the needs of employees; Motivating employees through industry training programmes.

Shares insights concerning the construction industry in Great Britain. Title of the trade show organized for the home building sector; Impact of the scarcity of land on homebuilders and individuals; Number of private housing needed across the country.

Reports on the outcomes of a survey of members' opinions undertaken by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF). Value of BMF's training offers; Lobbying activity; Importance of the business information provided by conferences for members; Federation's actions to some of the issues that the membership survey brought up; Modern way of informing and discussing issues.

Shares insights on NMBS decision to change its purchasing strategy. Team comprising the deal; Basis for the structured of the deal; Notion of Chris Hayward, managing director of NMBS on the best purchasing terms; Need for NMBS purchasing strategy to work for both merchants and manufacturers.

Comments on the differences between the large national merchant chains and independent companies. Threat to the builders merchant's business; Need of building contractors to deal direct with manufacturers; Stability of house prices.

Focuses on the rumor concerning the sale of construction firm Jackson Building Centres Ltd. in Great Britain. Acquisition trends within the industry; Companies interested in purchasing Jackson; Market performance of Jackson.

Comments on the target customers of the logistics companies in Great Britain. Focus on the construction market; Reduction on the need of the site workers to collect goods; Improvement of product delivery.

Analyzes the condition of merchandising industry in Great Britain. Expansion plans of Brooks Manson; Factors affecting the progress and status of the construction industry; Effect of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the condition of the industry.

Comments on the impact of declining retail spending on the business of the construction industry in Great Britain in 2002. Concerns over how high levels of debt-driven sales will affect the over-all health of the industry; Explanation of the saving grace for the sector.

Discusses several issues facing the construction industry in Great Britain as of June 2002. Consolidation seen in merchanting being reflected by house builders and manufacturers; Impact of the consolidation of merchant companies on the construction industry; Adaptation of the builders organizations to the industry changes.

Stresses the importance of investing in skilled labor by house-building companies in Great Britain. Details on the business expansion of Westbury Homes; Objectives of housebuilders in speeding up the housebuilding process; Focus on an initiative by the British government.

Looks at the use of the Internet for home builders. Analogy of the use of the Internet with the use of cable television; Impact on customer relationships; How the Internet will be one of the routes to market from which customers can choose whichever method is most convenient.