Builders’ merchants highlight supply chain pressures during MP visit

The role of builders’ merchants in supporting housing delivery and managing supply chain pressures was discussed during a constituency visit by Bradford East MP Imran Hussain to a merchant branch in the city.

The visit to Joseph Parr’s site in Broomfields focused on how materials and products are being sourced and supplied to support housebuilding and retrofit activity, as the UK aims to increase housing delivery despite ongoing cost challenges.

During the visit, Imran Hussain MP toured the two-acre site alongside Joseph Parr’s management team and representatives from the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF).

The branch supplies a range of construction materials used by local contractors and developers, with many products sourced from regional quarries, brickworks, sawmills and manufacturing facilities across Yorkshire.

The discussion centred on how merchants are maintaining supply in a challenging economic environment, including rising costs and pressure across the construction supply chain.

Imran Hussain MP said: “It was a pleasure to visit Joseph Parr who have been serving the Bradford community so well for the last decade. I want to thank Michael and his team for providing a friendly, knowledgeable service to the building trade in and around our city, and for taking the time to explain to me the challenges they face in today’s market”.

“I was keen to learn how they are getting on with their 100% electric Volvo HGV, believed to be the first used by any builders’ merchant in the country. It is encouraging to see independently-owned firms take bold steps like this, especially given the high petrol and diesel prices we have seen”.

Merchant perspective on housing targets and policy

Joseph Parr’s managing director, Michael Beaumont, used the visit to highlight the need for a long-term, structured approach to housing delivery.

He said: “We were delighted to welcome Imran Hussain and show him how Joseph Parr is investing in our people and in Bradford. It is great to have our MP take an interest in a local merchant and offering his advice and support to help us to succeed”.

“Nonetheless, key decisions lie ahead. Merchants and local SMEs would prefer to see ministers set out a structured, fully-costed and long-term plan to build 3½ or 4 million new homes in England over the next decade, rather than just promise to build 300,000 homes per year in the short term”.

Adoption of low-emission transport in construction logistics

The visit also included a demonstration of the company’s electric heavy goods vehicle, part-funded through a grant from Bradford City Council.

Beaumont said: “I am glad Imran was able to see our Volvo FM Electric 6×2 rigid that was part-funded by a grant from Bradford City Council. Despite the additional weight of the batteries, we actually see a slight payload advantage over the traditional 26-tonne diesel trucks we also run”.

“Regulations affecting commercial transport are changing and we want to ensure Joseph Parr is ahead of the curve when it comes to cleaner, greener HGVs. The well-documented energy price shock in the Middle East may hasten the adoption of electric lorries. We are proud to be the first”.

Supply chain role in regeneration and construction delivery

The visit formed part of the Builders Merchants Federation’s wider programme to connect policymakers with businesses across the construction supply chain, highlighting the role of merchants in supporting both new-build housing and refurbishment activity.

Discussions also covered wider regeneration plans across Bradford, including development opportunities within the Southern Gateway area, where former industrial land is being considered for redevelopment into housing, commercial space and community infrastructure.

The visit reflects ongoing industry efforts to ensure supply chain resilience and policy alignment as the construction sector works to meet long-term housing demand.