How SDR Helps Builders’ Merchants Improve Delivery Performance, Compliance and Cost Control

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 and building materials sector.

Unlike generalist agencies, SDR was created exclusively for this industry. We understand the pressures that come with mixed loads, early starts, safety standards and customer service expectations. Our entire operation is designed to help merchants manage these challenges with confidence and consistency.

We employ more than 80 full-time builders’ merchant drivers. This gives us the reach to cover every region in the UK, with 89% of merchant branches located within 50 miles of an SDR driver. Our fulfilment rate sits at over 98% year after year, and our drivers deliver 15–20% more runs per shift than typical agency averages – a measurable performance difference backed by a decade of data.

Every SDR driver is trained, uniformed and fully compliant with accredited certifications such as ALLMI, RTITB and NPORS. We operate on a PAYE-only basis, eliminating the IR35 and umbrella risks that could affect merchants when using other agencies. Our in-house compliance team carries out regular DVLA checks, CPC monitoring and safety bulletins to ensure that every driver represents your business to the highest standard.

Beyond performance, SDR provides transparency. Our cloud-based driver recruitment software gives merchants real-time visibility of bookings, costs, and compliance data. You can see where every driver is placed, track reasons for bookings, and access reporting that helps manage agency use and costs across the branch network.

We’re more than a staffing provider – we’re a partner. Our leadership team combines operational expertise with first-hand driving experience, and our long-standing relationships with organisations like the Builders’ Merchants Federation and the Construction Inclusion Coalition demonstrate our commitment to supporting the industry.

If your business depends on safe, skilled and dependable deliveries, let’s talk about how SDR can strengthen your driver resource strategy. Call us on 02380 989 444 or email info@specialistdrivers.com to arrange a chat with our team.