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14/08/2005 - Buttle's Stingers - live to fight again 06/07/2005 - 3rd Annual Fishing Day 31/05/2005 - bisTrack goes Live at Buttle's 23/04/2005 - attics n basements opens in Kentish Town 04/01/2005 - 2005 Product Workshops at ALL branches 04/11/2004 - h&b Group expands 07/09/2004 - Buttle's 2nd Golf Day 02/09/2004 - Peter Buttle becomes BMF National President 19/08/2004 - We've done it!! - Investor in People 07/07/2004 - Buttle's & Brett Martin Annual Fishing Day 06/06/2004 - Another try at 5-a-side Football 02/05/2004 - Brick Library at Leighton Buzzard 09/04/2004 - NEW - Kitchen Showroom 31/03/2004 - St Albans Landscape Display 20/01/2004 - 2003 - Buttle's beats its own Records 03/11/2003 - Streibig Panel Saws for every branch 01/10/2003 - Transport Fleet expands .... 01/05/2003 - Buttle's converts to Tanalith E 01/04/2003 - StoneFlair - designed to be individual 22/01/2003 - 2002 is Buttle's best year EVER 01/11/2002 - Buttle's buzz into Leighton Buzzard 28/10/2002 - Give a gift that works 09/09/2002 - Price Guides while-you-wait 01/08/2002 - A year of Turn-around 15/07/2002 - Brick Library at St Albans 20/06/2002 - Shop Online with Buttle's for tools and more ..... 05/11/2001 - Maurice George Buttle - a Craftsman and a Gentleman 01/04/2001 - Create the Great Outdoors with Buttle's and Bradstone 20/11/2000 - Bucking the trend - part 2 16/11/2000 - Buttle's Kentish Town - new shop now open 14/10/2000 - Buttle's buck the trend 08/06/2000 - Buttle’s News Page is now active!! Busy Links - Links for Busy Building Browsers.......
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Buttle's Stingers - live to fight again Kentish Town and St Albans
Branch staff combined to form a team in this year’s Master Merchant Competition at Lake Windemere in the Lake District. It was the first time that
Buttle’s had entered the Competition, so expectations were not at their highest. The events would comprise of
code breaking, map reading and logic problems to name a few. Despite numerous obstacles, including a few too many pints on both Friday and Saturday evening, the team put on a great performance to take third place on the podium and qualify for the final at Ingleton in the Yorkshire Dales during the weekend of 12 – 14 August.
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3rd Annual Fishing Day For the third year running Buttle's Fishing Day was held on 7 July 2004, at Tingrith Fishery in Bedfordshire. Still jointly sponsored by Brett Martin and Buttle's, the event becomes even more popular. 22 Customers took part and the Largest Fish of the Day fish caught was 11lb 7 ozs by Dave Hall of SEG Builders and the overall winner was Martin Funnell who had a catch total of 31lb 1 oz - slightly down on last years winner. Any customers interested in next year's event, contact Phil Norton
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bisTrack goes Live at Buttle's
Roisin Cook, Buttle's Financial Controller, is pleased with how well the introduction went. "We have invested a considerable sum and our hard-pressed resources to swap to bisTrack. I am sure It's a tool which will support the growth of the business in the years to come."
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attics n basements opens in Kentish Town Buttle's latest business venture, attics n basements, has opened at 53 - 55 Prince of Wales Road, opposite Kentish Town West Station and close to Buttle's Kentish Town Branch. The idea is to supply the home extension market in the closely built up areas of Central London. For most households, adding an extension is more problematical than in the suburbs or rural areas. Land is at a premium and planning controls keep a closer eye on what is permitted in already densely built areas For this reason it makes sound sense to explore the possibilities of utilising the attic space or, if not already part of the home, using the basement to provide more space. This new showroom will demonstrate ideas on how better use can be made, as well as show some of the essential products such as spiral stairs etc. As products are added to the portfolio these will be featured on the dedicated website www.atticsnbasements.com Pop in to the showroom soon and get some ideas for E X P A N D I N G your home!
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2005
Product Workshops at ALL branches Buttle's have arranged a program of Product Workshops throughout 2005 at each of its Branches. Manufacturers of building products and tools will be on-site to demonstrate good practice, answer questions, display new products and, in some cases, present special offers and bargain deals. Don't miss these events: Tuesdays at Kentish Town, Wednesdays at St Albans and Thursdays at Leighton Buzzard. Details of each month's Manufacturers are shown on Bee.lines: the monthly flier sent out with account statements. You can download a PDF file by clicking here This leadflet also contains details of the special offers or news that you should check out.
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h&b
Group expands Buttle's were one of the founder members of the h&b Group which started in 1997. The Group, formed by a number of local merchants, aimed to provide a platform for commitment to manufacturers of building products so that its members could achieve greater parity with national merchants. It functioned to the benefit of its Members and Suppliers (and ultimately its Members customers) very well for over seven years. During this time, however, industry consolidation has continued apace bringing with it disproportionate terms achieved by national companies. Earlier this year the members of the h&b Group concluded that the time was ripe for the expansion of their Group and they approached a number of other merchants to achieve just that. The result is a newly enlarged h&b Group - eleven companies, all within striking distance of the M25, with around 40 branches and approaching £100 million total turnover. It's early days so far, but the Group will be looking to further growth just as soon as it has consolidated the expanded membership and reviewed all of its existing partnerships. Suppliers have been extremely encouraging about the growth - perhaps because they welcome the extra potential commitment or because they have been 'shut out' by other alliances. Peter Buttle, Managing Director of Buttle plc, has been Chairman since the Group started and is very optimistic about the Group's prospects. Peter says "We'll be paying a lot of attention to delivering real commitment to partnerships with selected suppliers". Click for Press Release Return to News Index
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Buttle's 2nd Golf Day Dunstable Downs Golf Club was the venue for the second golf day held by Buttle's .37 customers attended the day - twice as many as the previous event. The day was sponsored by some of Buttle's main suppliers - Jeldwen - Superglass - British Gypsum and Bradstone. With the course in tip-top condition the weather dry and bright with a strong breeze blowing the course proved a good test for all the players. After the golf customers, suppliers and staff sat down to dinner. The food was excellent and everybody enjoyed the chance to exchange business and golf experiences. To round off the day the winners were awarded their prizes: Best Score: Dave Dryden 38 points; 2nd Best Score: Clive Chaston 37 points; Nearest the Pin: Terry Plowright; Longest Drive: Elliot Lanceman; Mystery Team Prize: Dave Shoemaker, Adrian Reeves and Ian Sutton (pictured below); Suppliers Mug: Mike Beard of Superglass
The day was a great success and all the customers are looking forward to the next Buttle's Golf event!
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Peter Buttle becomes BMF National President
Peter has been BMF Area Chairman for the Beds Herts and North Bucks Area, a Council Member, a Board Member and Chairman of the BMF IT Committee. Having been vociferous in the past about the need for the Federation to become more commercial and responsive to its members needs there are a number of targets that Peter has set himself to achieve during his period in office. Most important of these is to enhance the benefits of membership as well as the perception of the BMF in the minds of its members, its potential members and, above all, its members' customers.
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We've
done it!! - Investor in People After a slower than planned start in 2003 on the route to gain Investor in People accreditation, Buttle's are absolutely delighted to receive the news that the outcome has been successful following our first assessment. The Assessor's report is absolutely glowing, with so many positive comments from and about our people - staff and managers. Although this milestone has been passed we have no intention of 'sitting on our laurels'. We've already started to review our Staff Development Programme so that the great improvements made during the past year will be built on. The learning culture at Buttle's really seems to have taken off.
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Buttle's & Brett Martin Annual Fishing Day
After five hours of competitive fishing the overall Trophy winner, with a catch of 31lbs 9oz was Andy Crawley (pictured left) of K R Hannaford. Second, with 28lbs 15oz, was Ian Dodd of Rackham Construction and third was Tony Wesley of Ellenesse Windows with 14lbs 1oz. The Largest Fish of the Day weighed in at 3lbs 6oz and was caught by Gary Rennie of Planet Construction. Any customer wanting to apply for a place in next year's event, contact Phil Norton
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Another try at 5-a-side Football Kentish Town and
St Albans Branches combined forces to enter a team in the Builders Buttle's staff pictured at right are, from left to right, back row: Paul Lee, guest, Jamie Cox, middle row: Scott Smith, Ade Braja, Craig Rackley, Front: Jamie Buttle.
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Brick Library at Leighton Buzzard
Customers have already commented on the value of the library and we've learned a lot from creating this display so it won't be long before St Albans wants to modify its display to meet the levels of the Leighton Buzzard one.
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NEW - Kitchen Showroom
For the first time, Buttle's has opened a kitchen showroom. Based on kitchens from Symphony Kitchens there are seven displays of their best designs to view. At the same time we have become distributors for Neff and Hotpoint appliances, various models of which are displayed in the settings. Our kitchen specialist, Craig Rackley, will be delighted to show you all the options and appliances from these ranges as well as the Rixonway contract kitchen range that we have stocked for a number of years.
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St Albans Landscape Display
The whole display shows a far greater choice of the materials available including walling, pebbles and glo-lights that can automatically illuminate as it gets dark. All this is in a setting that gives you some idea of how good these products will look like in your, or your customer's, garden.
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2003 - Buttle's beats its own Records As anticipated at the start of 2003, Buttle's sales have continued to advance apace, but the increase of 20% reported in January has really been dwarfed by 2003 - 35% ahead of 2002. All three branches continue to show increases over the previous year and end-of-financial year results are confidently expected to exceed budgets. Good news all round and a very welcome outcome from the team effort. Buttle's future looks even better!
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Streibig Panel Saws for every branch Buttle's
are now in position to improve customer service following the purchase of
three Striebig Compact vertical panels saws for its new sheet materials
cutting services.
Buttle's
Operations Director, Philip Norton, said the company was always looking
for ways to improve customer service and increase turnover.
"The cutting service has proved a real winner" he said.
"We are now selling considerably more sheet materials at all
three branches".
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Transport Fleet expands .... Following
a great expansion in sales Buttle’s
has continued to expand its fleet of delivery
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Buttle's converts to Tanalith E Buttle's
has, for many years, been able to provide its customer base with a bespoke
Tanalith Treatment service thanks to its own in-house treatment plant.
From May 2003 their plant has been upgraded to provide the new Tanalith E
treatment - the effective alternative to traditional CCA (copper chrome
arsenate) treated timber. Additional benefits are:
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StoneFlair - designed to be individual Following the
opening of its Leighton Buzzard branch Buttle's
have selected the StoneFlair range of paving and walling as its
major landscaping product. Displays cover the main popular lines and the
whole StoneFlair range is available either from stock or to order.
A full colour pocket size product guide is available in branch or just
e-mail a request and we will send you a copy of it by return. For on-line
details of products the StoneFlair website. The product range includes the PURESTONE paving range of hand dressed Natural Sandstone paving in four attractive colours suitable for both indoor and outdoor use
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2002 is Buttle's best year EVER Not only were Sales in 2002 twenty percent up on the previous year but they were also higher than any previous twelve-month period including the high figures achieved in the boom years at the end of the eighties. December finished the year nicely, with an increase of over 50% on December 2001. Margins have been retained too which means that trading has continued with the returned profitability, even after adding the extra costs of a startup branch without initial revenue.. The future looks buoyant with the new branch at Leighton Buzzard building both new customers and sales and the existing branches continuing to gain market share, significantly so at Kentish Town. Considerable investment has been made in the past months and more is planned for all branches. This is expected to be reflected in returns in the rest of the current financial year, the rest of 2003 and on-going. Buttle's future looks good .... (and orange!)
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Buttle's buzz into Leighton Buzzard Buttle's first new
branch for over 20 years is due to open later this month in Leighton
Buzzard. After searching for Paul Whitting (pictured left) will be managing this branch and his assistant will be Kevin McDermott. Both men bring a great deal of experience and enthusiasm and, with a team of existing and new staff, will enjoy building another successful Buttle's branch to serve the Busy Builders of Leighton Buzzard and the surrounding area. Stocks will cover the full range of timber, boards, heavy and light-side building materials as well as tools and plant. Obviously the initial range will be expanded over the coming weeks and an opening event will be held as soon as possible. .....'Watch this space'! The branch is located on Grovebury Road - in the industrial area and on the busy route between the town centre and the A505 by-pass to the south. A location map is available for download or printing and further details are on our How, Where, When page. For the latest news about the opening or for any other information Paul Whitting can be contacted on 07957 445255
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Give a gift that works Once again
Buttle's have introduced a Toolbank gift option to tie in with a new
mini-catalogue and Autumn/Winter special tool offers. There's also a
special Toolbank
web site (available until 31 December 2002) with more information. Just the place to order a Christmas
Gift for a Busy Builder! E-mail us
if you'd like a copy of the catalogue sending to you.
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Price Guides while-you-wait Its some years since we last published our Buttle's Product Guide. Since then we have had many requests to replace it. Unfortunately we have never found the resources to be able to repeat it and recent troubles with our IT system have diverted the slender resources we have had to achieving a better long-term solution. But now we have an interim solution - Trade Price Guides - in 9 parts that you can view on-line and download or print out if you want. The prices are only a guide - Discounts for various Trades, order or average monthly quantity or special promotion may apply. All prices are also subject to VAT and to change without notice after the month of issue. See our Products page to view now |
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A year of Turn-around Buttle's directors are delighted to be able to report a complete turn-around over the past financial year (to 31 March 2002). The targets we set ourselves were tough but we exceeded them by a comfortable margin. Sales during the year improved by over 16% while overheads increased by only 2%. The result was a net profit in the first full year of trading since the Management Buy Out. Sales have continued to grow in the current year too and the company is now set to achieve the next steps in its targets to grow the business. This will have important benefits for customers, suppliers and staff. - we can, and will, invest in more and better services with greater security. Our Annual Report and Accounts have been filed at Companies House. |
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Brick Library at St Albans With the assistance of Hanson Bricks we have now established a brick library at St Albans branch. This is already proving of great benefit to customers and staff alike as we build on our timber strengths with greater depth of heavyside product stocks and knowledge. We'll be adding to this library bricks from many more manufacturers over the coming months. |
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Shop Online with Buttle's for tools and more.... During 2000 Buttle's became a Trading Partner with Draper Tools, offering a Mail Order and online catalogue of tools and various other ironmongery. Draper have recently announced their withdrawal from this direct delivery market with effect from the end of June. Buttle's customers still have the enormous Toolbank range to select from and offer the order service, Toolbank Express, both at Trade counters and online. Look no further if its quality tools from trusted suppliers that you need.
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Maurice George Buttle died 25 October 2001
Maurice eventually retired in 1985 and had a few more years pursuing his passion for vintage Morris cars before being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He spent the last six years in a home, fit in body though sadly not in mind. However, following a fall, he declined quickly and passed away peacefully a week later. Maurice will be sadly missed by his wife, his surviving children and by his many friends. He will be remembered as both a Craftsman and a Gentleman. |
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Create the Great Outdoors with Buttle's and Bradstone Following a new partnership with Bradstone Buttle's have created a new patio display at St Albans Branch. A full range of Paving and Walling products are now stocked to provide prompt supply of all you need to create a Great Outdoors display in your garden. You can look at Bradstone's web site and there is a video or CD available at our counters to assist in designing your project. Or pop in to St Albans branch to see the display!
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Bucking the trend - part 2 The
latest step in Buttle's growth strategy - to strengthen the
management team - is under way. We’ve managed to buck the trend in this
step too! Our first appointment, as Operations Director, is Phil
Norton, previously Area Director with Jewson, one of our major
national competitors. Phil has a 30-year track record in the industry,
starting with Lockhart Bennett in Luton and climbing with each subsequent
takeover through Tilling, BTR, Graham Group and then Jewson. MD
Peter Buttle says “Phil
is as excited as I am at the prospects of growing Buttle’s in the
coming years. We intend to do this by focusing on what can give smaller
merchants the competitive edge over their larger competitors – personal
service, committed staff and adapting our product offer to customers’
needs at the kind of pace that big companies find it difficult to
match.” With
Phil’s background and experience he now sees Buttle’s providing
him with a logical and exciting career progression and a rare opportunity
to play a major role in the management and development of one of the
industry’s long established and successful independents. “I am looking
forward to getting more ‘hands-on’, to re-discovering my
entrepreneurial spirit and to being involved with the challenge of growing
the whole business.” |
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Buttle's Kentish Town - new shop now open After some weeks of turmoil the sales counter at our Kentish Town branch is now set within a completely refurbished shop area. The sales space has more than doubled and lots more products are now on view. There are bargain offers and new items including some great ideas for Christmas gifts for the tradesman or handyman. Pop in to check it out! |
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Buttle's buck the trend With
so much news of big companies swallowing up small ones it’s nice to hear
of at least one that's bucking the trend. With sales up and costs down, Buttle's
MD Peter Buttle believes the time is right and has reached agreement with
his family shareholders to acquire the whole of the share capital of
Buttle plc. Having achieved the buyout we are now progressing our growth plans - watch this space! |
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Buttle’s News Page is now active!! We now have the technology to update our own site! As a result we can now bring you the occasional topical building trade news item, Buttle's special offers and other snippets that we just think you would benefit from knowing about. We'd be pleased to hear from you if you have any special items that you would like us to publish. Just e-mail the editor. |
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Links for Busy Building Browsers....... Building Information Warehouse Timber Trade Federation UK (TTF) Timber Research and Development Association UK (TRADA) Building Research Establishment UK (BRE) British Government Central Information Barbour Index Product Product Expert
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After
many years involvement with the 
For the second
year running a Fishing Day was held on 7 July 2004, at Tingrith Fishery in
Bedfordshire. Jointly sponsored by 
Merchant industry 5-a-side Football Tournament when local heats were held
at Colney Hatch in North London. Unfortunately, they did not win this
time. In the past, Buttle's teams have done well and we hope hope that
they can repeat this success in the future.
Buttle's
latest branch now has its own Brick Library. Following the
success of the library at St Albans, Leighton Buzzard has really gone to
town with its display of over 200 brick panels from all of the largest
manufacturers. The initial display of samples will be added to constantly to
keep them up to date and clay roof tiles and clay driveway paviours will be
part of the display. For more information call Paul or Ricky
on 01525 218000.
Over
the past month the Patio display at St Albans has been entirely rebuilt to
display many new products. The Bradstone range of paving has been enhanced
with displays of fencing by Grange as well as by decking and paviours.
vehicles. Six wheel rigid trucks now operate from Leighton Buzzard
as well as St Albans Branch. Kentish Town Branch has now
also returned to Operating Centre status and is able to deliver within the
London area at short notice. Buttle’s
continues to offer next-day deliveries and most of its radio controlled
fleet are fitted with vehicle mounted cranes to off-load your
requirements. To mark the expansion all trucks now sport the smart white,
orange and grey livery
is
'under construction'
months
an ideal site for a new branch was found earlier this year but then there
were lengthy difficulties with acquisition of the site. Some ground
clearance work was needed and this has now been completed and, as we write
this news, the works are now proceeding to rack out the storage areas,
bring all the stock and complete all the necessary items to set up the
branch.
Maurice
Buttle left school in 1929 aged 14 to join G H Buttle, the joinery
business his father had started 10 years earlier. He trained and excelled
as a carpenter and joiner and the business developed into a Timber
Merchants, Joinery Works and Sawmills. He was called up to serve during
World War II with the R.A.O.C., the R.E.M.E. and the Middlesex Regiment
and returned to the family business in 1946. Maurice took control of G H
Buttle & Co Ltd in the 1950s, when his father retired. He steered the
company through steady growth from the site of their original one railway
arch in Kentish Town to become a business that traded as both Timber and
Builders' Merchants employing more than 40 people.
