The NMBS has made it easier for its merchant members to embrace mobile technology to market their businesses.
The UK’s leading buying society for independent builder’s, plumbing and heating, timber and hardware merchants, has recently introduced a new Special Offers App.
As its name suggest, the new app enables users to quickly, easily and cost effectively communicate details of any special offers or promotions they might be running direct to their customers’ smartphones and tablets.
The look of the new app is highly customisable and can be tailored to reflect the merchant member’s own existing corporate branding. The new app is also incredibly easy to use, even for the less tech savvy.
Users can quickly and easily add information concerning their special offers to the app through a simple and intuitive interface which also features step-by-step instructions and prompts.
Once a promotion has been added, the merchant’s customers who have downloaded the app onto their mobile devices will receive a push notification.
Customers can also set up further alerts to remind them when a promotion is coming to an end. These reminders can take the form of additional push notifications, calendar appointments or email or text alerts.
In addition, customers can use the app to create shopping lists and to send orders to the merchant either by email or via SMS.
The app can also provide customers with details of the merchant’s nearest branch relative to their current location, its phone number and even directions on how to get there.
Being mobile based, the new NMBS Special Offer App offers significant cost savings compared to using traditional print methods to promote special offers. It is also much quicker to update and change than printed collateral.
Subscription to the new NMBS Special Offers App costs just £299 + VAT for an entire year. The merchants’ customers meanwhile can use the NMBS Special Offer App for free and can quickly and easily download it from either the Apple App Store or from Google Play.
The new Special Offers App complements NMBS’ existing Member Locator App which was launched in 2016. This app allows trade professionals and other users to search for the nearest branches of NMBS merchant members within a 99 mile radius of their current location or an entered postcode.
Commenting on the launch of the new NMBS Special Offers App, Dean Hayward, sales and marketing manager at NMBS, said: “As part of our commitment to strengthening independents, NMBS aims to support and add value to our members in as wide range of areas as possible.
“The launch of the new NMBS Special Offer App reflects that.
“It enables our members to embrace the latest technology to promote their business and to enhance their profitability and success – and all without committing to the investment required to develop an app of their own.”
A new report from AMA Research has stated that health sector construction output increased by 7% in 2016 to reach £3.1bn, followed by a 6% increase in 2015. Prior to this, the sector had experienced four years of declining output between 2011 and 2014.
Into the medium- term, AMA Research expects steady, if moderate, growth in healthcare construction output, with annual rates of growth of 3-5% currently forecast to 2021 as work on small hospital projects is boosted by privately-funded projects under PF2.
Health output has benefited from the hospital building programme initiated by the previous government, much of which was delivered under PFI programmes. Despite a handful of large PFI hospitals still expected to complete over the next couple of years, the emphasis is now firmly on smaller acute projects through Procure21+ and Procure22 and in the primary care sector on GP surgeries/health centres through ExpressLIFT. Public sector output has however experienced fluctuations due to budget cuts impacting on the sector.
As a result of GP-led commissioning and financial constraints, the procurement of services to the NHS, including construction, are increasingly looking towards increased partnership with the private sector. A further driver is also taking place in the acute healthcare sector with the creation of NHS Foundation Trusts, under which hospitals can generate their own income. As a result, there has been a rise in private providers refurbishing part of existing hospitals, adding extensions, new-build facilities or even taking on the full operation of a hospital.
Future prospects look relatively bright, with the Government having announced a forward pipeline of around £5.7bn worth of capital projects in the healthcare sector between now and 2020, and beyond. This includes nearly 600 individual health projects under almost 100 schemes, which are mainly spread across the English regions, of which there are around 10 large NHS-led capital programmes, in addition to smaller works and capital programmes procured via the Procure 21/Procure21+ frameworks. However, whilst the Department of Health was allocated £4.8bn for capital investment for each year to 2020-21 in the 2016 Budget, this represents a real-terms cut of 1.7% per year.
The moderate forecast of 3-5% growth per annum is based on the steady level of health sector new orders over the last 2-3 years, and the focus on delivery of local services and chronic disease prevention initiatives put forward by successive Governments. Health RMI into the medium-term is also likely to remain positive but moderate and there are likely to be significant regional differences, especially where demand for key services is high. The focus on partnerships to drive increased efficiency and productivity, whilst lowering construction and maintenance costs is forecast to continue.

Keith Taylor, Director of AMA Research, commented: “The key construction opportunities in the healthcare sector are likely to be in the primary care sector and this may entail further opportunities for the development of hub facilities and integrated GP premises, while in the acute and secondary sector, much of the medium-term is expected to lie in refurbishment and extensions. Contractors will also be interested to see how new procurement routes and private finance initiatives, including P22, will be used to procure work in the health sector in 2017/18 and beyond, with the expiration of the Express LIFT framework and future options for health PPPs being explored.”
The ‘Healthcare Construction Market Report – UK 2017-2021 Analysis’ report is published by AMA Research, a leading provider of market research and consultancy services with over 25 years’ experience within the construction and home improvement markets. The report is available now and can be ordered online at www.amaresearch.co.uk or by calling 01242 235724.
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Our new Job in Focus is a Sales Director's position for fitted kitchens used in high rise projects. You would head up a team of 3.
You will be tasked with growing both the turn over of the division as well as the size of the team. It is a national role.
Our Construction & Building Industry Job in Focus feature takes a detailed look at some of the fantastic sales & marketing construction and building materials job vacancies currently on our books.
Job in Focus is also promoted on our website. www.pinnacleconsulting.co.uk
JOB IN FOCUS FULL DETAILS
Job Title: Sales Director
Job Ref: J9111
Product: Kitchens
Location: National
Salary: £94k
Leading supplier of high quality fitted kitchen, managing an experienced sales team targeting high rise projects.
Package: Basic salary £60,000 - £70,000 with £90,000 - £98,000 OTE, Company Car, Pension, Mobile, Laptop and 25 days holiday.
Role: High Rise Sales Director - Our client is looking for an experienced sales manager to head up a team of 3 targeting projects with in the high-rise market for our client fantastic range of kitchens and bathrooms. You will be tasked with growing both the turn over of the division as well as the size of the team. This role will be a mix of sales, management and operations with candidates needing to be able to motivate and manage a sales team with an eye on seeing project through from start to finish. This is the perfect opportunity to join a market leading manufacturer with a great name in this sector..
Location: National coverage with a major focused in London and the South East, candidates will ideally be located in London, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Essex, Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex and Berkshire.. Candidates from other locations will be considered.
Candidate: To be considered for this role candidate must have experience managing a team with the knowledge of targeting high rise projects. Ideally candidates will have experience of kitchen or related products however this is not essential as long have candidates have the right route to market and management experience. Candidates must be driven, ambitious, structured, organised and have a proven track record of success in the high rise project route to market.
To apply for this role or discuss your career opportunities further please contact Stuart Entwistle on 01480 405225 or apply online.
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One of the great successes of the last couple of years - UK Construction Week - the largest gathering of the UK’s built environment community has officially announced its return to Birmingham NEC from 10 – 12 October 2017 and further details about what will be going on this year. It is a must goto event for construction industry professionals.
It is set to be its biggest yet with nine specialist shows under one roof, the show already has a superb and varied line up of speakers secured from Urban Splash, NHS, Heathrow, Cast Consultancy, Kier and Network Rail.
In the face of change and political uncertainty, UK Construction Week’s main stage will host debates on the industry’s leading issues and trends, including the housing shortage, diversity, how to tackle the skills crisis, building in a pre and post Brexit Britain, and adopting modern methods of construction. Commanding audiences of more than 300, the panel discussions will be anchored by leading journalists and industry commentators including architect and TV star George Clarke, award winning broadcaster Steph McGovern and renowned architecture critic Tom Dyckhoff, while the individual shows will explore sector-specific issues and solutions.
Offsite construction will be a major theme, with a new dedicated offsite theatre and awards programme supported by Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA) and Structural Timber Association (STA). As the industry continues to embrace the latest technologies that allow it to build quicker, more efficiently and at a quality not achievable before, the show will feature hundreds of exhibitors specialising in offsite, including Portakabin, Containex, and Wernick Group, making it the perfect opportunity for visitors to find out why offsite construction will become the way to build in the future.
Nathan Garnett, Event Director at Media 10, which runs the show, said: “The UK’s construction industry is more topical than ever. Not only is it at the forefront of political debate and public opinion, it’s also clear that we’re moving towards a new age of innovation and change with topics such as off-site construction, modular and BIM driving so many conversations. This will be our biggest event to date, and we’re looking forward to bringing the industry together to debate, learn and do business, as well as showcase a diverse range of products and services.”
One of UK Construction Week’s main aims is to act as a showcase for innovation in the industry, whether it’s new ways of working, sustainable products or evolving technologies. The Innovation Trail will bring visitors the latest products, services and innovations that are changing the way we build and have never previously been showcased in the UK. Companies can apply for their product to feature on the Innovation Trail by visiting the website.
A number of new, specialist awards will also feature at this year’s event. These include: Low Carbon Vehicles Awards, BIM Awards, Offsite Awards and the WAN Transport, Concrete in Architecture and Adaptive Reuse Awards. The UK’s best companies in the industry will also be recognised at the Construction Enquirer Awards on the opening night of the show.
Consisting of Build Show, Timber Expo, Civils Expo, Plant & Machinery Live, Energy 2017, Smart Buildings 2017, Surface & Materials Show (featuring Kitchens & Bathrooms Live), HVAC 2017 and Grand Designs Live, UK Construction Week caters for the entire spectrum of the industry from builders, architects, innovators and consultants, each show provides exhibitors with the opportunity to network alongside decision makers and purchasers while showcasing their services and products to thousands of visitors.
Running into the evening, entertainment will include a casino night at the Genting International Casino with exclusive discounts for exhibitors and visitors, a dodgeball tournament and the return of the popular beer and ale festival.
As one of the leading voices of the construction industry, UK Construction Week 2017 will deliver its most comprehensive and diverse show to date with support from leading associations including The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Construction Products Association (CPA) and Builders Merchants Federation (BMF).
A new survey has shown that growth in the construction industry in May was at its highest for more than a year, despite concerns over Brexit.
Activity in the residential sector rose at its fastest pace since December 2015, according to the latest Markit/CIPS Construction survey, with a rise in jobs and buying.
The results – up to 56 from the sluggish figure of 53.1 posted in April. Ratings below 50 indicate shrinkage in the industry, while above indicates growth.
But the results are still weaker than the post financial crisis record score of 64.6, in January 2014, and it is still too early to tell if the score signals a recovery in the market, said IHS Markit.
Housebuilding was the best performing sector in May, and a key driver of growth. Respondents to the PMI cited a strong pipeline of new development projects and resilient demand in the housing market.
Tackling the housing crisis has been a strong theme of the upcoming general election with both Labour and the Conservatives have promised to build a million more homes over the next five years.
Sales Jobs in the Construction Industry >>
Civil engineering and commercial building also saw modest increases in May, though these were overtaken by housing.
Import costs for materials increased in May, albeit more slowly than in previous months, and input price inflation fell to a seven month low, easing the pressure on buyers.
But businesses also expressed concern over economic uncertainty, which Markit said continues to deter client spending.
“A sustained rebound in residential building provides an encouraging sign that the recent a soft patch for property values has not deterred new housing supply,” said Tim Moore, senior economist at IHS Markit and author of the Markit/CIPS Construction PMI.
“Instead, strong labour market conditions, resilient demand and ultra-low mortgage rates appear to have helped boost work on residential development projects in May.”
Mark Robinson, chief executive of Scape Group, welcomed the news, but warned the next government would need to address the UK’s skills crisis.
“Today’s unexpected bounce back in construction growth is telling, as it suggests the sector could be growing immune to the political turmoil that has plagued British industry in the last year.
“Clearly, clients and contractors are not letting election uncertainty impact business decisions in the short term as activity rises at the fastest pace in 17 months. This confidence is likely to have been bolstered by commitments from all of the major parties on housebuilding, the northern powerhouse and strong infrastructure pipelines.
“This also marks what could be a significant Brexit bounce back. However it is not all plain sailing from here. A rapid upturn in new work could ramp up the workforce pressures many suppliers are already struggling with in the wake of the momentous skills crisis. The need to rapidly up-skill the nation will be top of the in-tray for the next government, and failure to address it could be economically costly and politically toxic, regardless of which party takes office on June 9th.”
“The need to rapidly up-skill the nation will be top of the in-tray for the next government, and failure to address it could be economically costly and politically toxic, regardless of which party takes office on June 9th.”
Our new Job in Focus for June is a National Sales Manager role with an OTE of £70k. You would manage a field sales team of 4 selling commercial fenestration products for the education, retail and healthcare sectors.
Our Construction & Building Industry Job in Focus feature takes a detailed look at some of the fantastic sales & marketing construction and building materials job vacancies currently on our books.
Job in Focus is also promoted on our website. www.pinnacleconsulting.co.uk
JOB IN FOCUS FULL DETAILS
Job Title: National Sales Manager
Job Ref: J9059
Product: Fenestration
Location: National
Salary: £60k
Manufacturer of fenestration products. Managing a field based team of 4.
Package: £60K with £70K OTE, Company Car, Mobile, Laptop, Pension
Employer: A leading name within the commercial fenestration market manufacturing a range of high performance windows, doors and facade products.
Job Description: Fantastic opportunity on a niche division of a major player in the industry. Managing an external team of 4 developing business with contractors, fabricators and local authorities working on projects within education, healthcare and retail sectors.
Area: National role - Candidates based in well connected locations such as Manchester, London, Bristol, Leeds, Birmingham, Leicester etc.
Person: We are seeking a proven man manager with experience within the fenestration market. The ideal candidate will have experience with fabricators and local authorities specifically setting up framework agreements.
For further information or to discuss your career options contact Luke Rootham on 01480 405225 or apply online here.
Search for more building products sales jobs >>>
Users can quickly and easily add information concerning their special offers to the app through a simple and intuitive interface which also features step-by-step instructions and prompts.
