All articles by Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Howdens announces further expansion in ROI
Howdens, the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier, has announced the opening of three new depots in the Republic of Ireland, bringing its footprint to 17 across the region. New openings bring the total number of Howdens depots to 33 across the whole of Ireland. The new openings in Navan, Galway and Wexford will create 19 new jobs in the Republic of Ireland, including sales kitchen designers and depot management teams. The company also announces plans to open seven further new depots across Ireland in 2026.
MMT works on ‘first of its kind’ mass timber project
Mercer Mass Timber (MMT) is working on a new civic mass timber project that marks an important shift in how communities design for care and dignity — the Bartillon Shelter, in Madison, Wisconsin, the first of its kind men’s shelter featuring mass timber, is currently under construction.
Navigating challenging tropical times
Precious Woods acknowledges today’s tropical market is a tough place to be but remains positive about prospects longer term. Mike Jeffree reports
Myth busting and building with tropical timber
ATIBT is tackling misconceptions about tropical timber and promoting its potential in construction. Mike Jeffree reports
Stability Despite Challenges
Persistent economic weakness, new political frameworks and high raw material costs continue to pose major challenges for the German sawmill and timber industry. Nevertheless, the sector once again demonstrated its resilience and adaptability over the past year. Julia Möbus, managing director of the German Sawmill and Timber Industry Association (DeSH), outlines the economic and political developments and explains how the industry is holding its ground in an increasingly complex environment.
Hand to mouth in hardwood
In a challenging hardwood market, forward ordering and speculative buying are in short supply. Mike Jeffree reports
Combilift unveils Christmas video
Combilift has announced the release of its 2025 Christmas video, “Twelve Days of Christmas”, a joyful celebration of its dedicated team and the true spirit of giving.
Howdens teams up with Band of Builders charity
Howdens, the UK’s leading trade kitchen supplier, has teamed up with national construction charity Band of Builders (BoB) and award-winning kitchen fitter Tom Easter to donate a new Ilfracombe kitchen in Ash Green and Terracotta, to a couple in Bishop’s Stortford.
Third quarter timber sales up +2.1% year-on-year for builders’ merchants
The latest figures from the Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI), published in November, show total value sales for Q3 2025 were down -0.1% compared to Q3 2024. Volume sales were up +0.7% year-on-year, while prices were -0.8% lower. There was no difference in trading days.
Strategic partnership announced to increase UK’s use of sustainable building products
The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP) and Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) have announced a new strategic partnership aimed at advancing the use of sustainable building products within the UK built environment and construction sectors. The agreement will build on the strengths of both organisations, fostering long-term collaboration to maximise opportunities in knowledge, skills and capabilities.