Generous donations by guests at the annual Industry Awards lunch in London on Friday May 9 raised a total of £2,000 for the Rainy Day Trust.

A trading update, released today by Travis Perkins chairman Tim Stevenson, has shown growth for the chain in the first quarter of 2008, despite an increasingly challenging economic climate.

Toolbank has been voted Buildbase's top supplier for the second year running in the chain's annual supplier survey.

Is off-site construction one of the biggest threats to the merchant industry? Or are there untapped opportunities for growth because of it? This is just one of the key issues affecting your sector that will be examined in detail at this year's The Conference.

Following successful trials in Scotland, B&Q have rolled out a trade discount card to stores nationwide, offering tradesmen rebates of up to 25%.

The new Sylvania trade lighting catalogue features a full selection of their most popular commercial lighting fittings.

Everbuild Building Products have launched a brand new dry wall adhesive: Pinkgrip Dry Fix.

Jewson have involved the police and sacked one of their senior directors after an internal investigation revealed £1m worth of irregularities on the company's books.

Travis Perkins have launched an initiative to attract more young people to their management training program ensuring the group makes the most of future talent.

A recent charity football match, organised by PTS, has raised over £2,800 for Age Concern as staff and suppliers pitted their ball skills against an all-star line up of retired professionals.