Supply Chain

The UK’s largest demolition contractors cemented their post-pandemic comeback in the past financial year, with overall turnover and profit showing robust growth. Total turnover among the top 10 firms increased by 14 per cent, while pre-tax profit soared from £37.2m to £56.4m - a 51 per cent increase. Erith, which…

The UK’s top 10 concrete contractors by revenue saw their total turnover increase  by 7 per cent to £1.96bn in their latest accounts compared with their previous year’s filings. Meanwhile, total pre-tax profit leapt almost sixfold to £84.5m. J Reddington topped the revenue leaderboard with £396m. Despite its bumper turnover,…

Despite the economic headwinds affecting the industry, total turnover and profit rose in most sectors last year. But is it too soon to celebrate? Given the troubles afflicting the construction supply chain in recent years, the latest CN Specialists Index makes for relatively cheerful reading. Total turnover rose in five…

Incoming changes to inheritance tax will deal a blow to the building-materials sector and could threaten government plans for 1.5 million homes to be built during the current parliamentary term. Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) chief executive John Newcomb warned that the measures announced in the Autumn Budget could force leading…

Construction giant Saint Gobain has acquired a UK-based chemicals firm. The French materials giant has acquired Kilwaughter – which manufactures facade mortars in the UK and Ireland – for an undisclosed amount. Kilwaughter generated revenue of about £50m in the year ending April 2024. It was acquired to “further strengthen”…

Plant hire firms are facing a triple threat of tax pressures, road regulations and mental health concerns, an industry trade body leader has told Construction News. Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) chief executive Steven Mulholland reiterated opposition to changes in inheritance tax thresholds announced by the government in its October budget.  …

The government has been warned about the impact of proposed workers’ rights legislation on the construction sector. Alasdair Reisner, chief executive of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, told MPs that measures in the Employment Rights Bill to strengthen the requirement for collective redundancy consultations did not take into account the…

Plant manufacturers are set to benefit from swingeing anti-dumping measures designed to crack down on cheap Chinese imports. UK manufacturer of heavy plant equipment JCB said the announcement by the government’s international trade regulator would level a “distorted” market. Under proposals being considered by the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), Chinese…

Two major CN100 firms have warned the changes to employers’ National Insurance (NI) will hit the construction sector hard. Directors at Glencar – the 53rd biggest contractor in the UK – and Seddon – the country’s 100th biggest construction firm – told Construction News the planned changes will be a “slap…

Construction product supplier Brickability has posted an increase in revenue amid an upturn in energy efficiency and fire remediation work. The Bridgend-based firm revealed in its interim results an income of £330.9m for the six months to 30 September 2024. This was up 1.9 per cent from the same period…