NEWS
Octabuild launches 2026 awards
Octabuild has officially launched its all-island Builders Merchant Excellence Awards 2026, with builders’ merchants across the island invited to enter. Celebrating excellence within the builders’ merchant trade, the Awards recognise businesses and individuals who are setting high standards in operational performance, customer service, people development and innovation. The Awards have been refreshed for 2026 to reflect the realities of modern merchanting, with emphasis on sustainability, digital capability and people, alongside the core principles of operational and customer excellence. Three new awards have been introduced for 2026, Unsung Hero, Sustainable Business Excellence and Digital Excellence. Entries close on March 31, with winners to be announced at an Awards ceremony during a gala event in The Round Room at the Mansion House, Dublin on October 1. www.octabuild.ie/awards
Donegal Town Hardware joins Murdock Group
The Murdock Group, owner of Murdock Builders Merchants and Brooks Timber & Building Supplies, has announced the acquisition of Donegal Town Hardware & DIY Ltd. The move brings the Group’s network to 26 branches across 14 counties, reinforcing its position as the largest family-owned builders’ merchant group on the island of Ireland. It supports the Group’s national growth strategy and complements its recent greenfield openings in Antrim and Drogheda earlier this year. Donegal Town Hardware & DIY will retain its name, brand
and local leadership team, ensuring continuity for customers and staff. Ciaran Murdock of the Murdock Group said, “Donegal Town Hardware is a respected and well-established local business built on strong customer service. This partnership allows us to support the business with our wider Group capabilities while preserving the local identity and customer relationships that have made it so successful.” www.murdockbuildersmerchants.com
Date set for SkillBuild NI 2026
SkillBuild NI 2026, an annual search for the top performers within construction apprenticeship and traineeship programmes across Northern Ireland, has been officially launched. Hosted by the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI) in partnership with Southern Regional College (SRC), this year’s regional heats will be held at SRC’s Greenbank Campus in Newry on May 19. The competition is designed to test skills, technique and ability within tight timeframes, identifying the top
L-R: Gareth Mone, SRC, Alan Holubowicz, SRC Wall & Floor Tiling, apprentice and 2025 SkillBuild National Finalist, Rachel Dorovatas, CITB NI, and Peter Farrelly, SRC.
performers in 11 different trade areas. Supported by Department for the Economy, local suppliers and construction companies, the competition provides an opportunity to showcase the high level of skills and impressive talent within the workforce. Winners from the NI regional competition will have the opportunity to represent Northern Ireland in the SkillBuild UK National Finals later in the year. www.citbni.org.uk/SkillBuildni.aspx
Luke Martin from JP Corry Dromore, Octabuild 2024 Rising Star.
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