Uncategorized

Familiar faces build safer sites Safety on builders’ merchant sites depends on more than just process and paperwork; it’s about people. Every day, HIAB and Moffett drivers operate in busy, unpredictable environments surrounded by staff, customers and moving vehicles. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identifies workplace transport as one of the highest-risk activities in…

What these safety standards mean for your business If your operation uses HIABs or Moffetts, you’ll already have heard of LOLER and PUWER, but what do they actually mean in practice, and why are they essential to building materials logistics? Let’s break them down and look at how SDR ensures full compliance on every delivery.…

We are delighted to announce that Specialist Driver Resourcing (SDR) is sponsoring the Merchant Driver of the Year award at the Builders’ Merchants Awards 2025. This new category recognises the professionalism, safety and customer service demonstrated by drivers across the builders’ merchant’s sector. These individuals are the people who keep the construction supply chain moving…

Protecting people, products and the public In builders’ merchant logistics, load security is one of the most important aspects of safety.Every day, HIABs, Moffetts and flatbed vehicles transport heavy, uneven or awkward materials across the UK. If a load shifts, it can cause serious injury, damage or disruption, not only to drivers but also to…

For builders’ merchants, having the right driver on the road can make all the difference. Every delivery represents your business, your brand and your promise to customers. That’s why many builders’ merchants across the UK rely on Specialist Driver Resourcing (SDR) – the country’s leading provider of temporary drivers dedicated solely to the builders’ merchant…

The UK is facing an ongoing shortage of qualified HGV drivers, with estimates suggesting that more than 100,000 additional drivers are needed to meet the national demand. Within the builders’ merchant and building materials sector, this shortage is being felt acutely. The industry depends on skilled drivers who can deliver heavy and mixed loads safely…

Why Daily Vehicle Checks Matter Every safe delivery starts before the engine turns on. Before a single load is lifted or a delivery begins, drivers must carry out full daily vehicle and equipment checks on the vehicles they are assigned to operate. These checks are a legal and operational requirement under DVSA, LOLER and PUWER…

In the highly competitive builders’ merchant sector, on-time, damage-free deliveries are critical. With just-in-time ordering, restricted site access, and rising customer expectations, drivers are no longer just deliverers, they are frontline ambassadors, safety enablers, and key representatives of your branch operation. Why Proper Training Pays Operating a vehicle-mounted crane (HIAB) or truck-mounted forklift (Moffett) carries…

Multi-drop deliveries have always been a key part of the builders’ merchant service, but today’s customers are demanding more than ever. Contractors want just-in-time deliveries. Housebuilders expect materials to arrive at multiple plots within tight timeframes. And with roads becoming increasingly congested and sites busier than ever, the pressure on merchant drivers continues to grow.…

In the fast-paced world of the builders’ merchant, the ability to keep deliveries running smoothly is crucial. Every order – whether it’s a small load of timber or a bulk delivery of heavy building materials – must arrive on time and in the right place. But with staff shortages, annual leave, sickness or sudden spikes…