Collier & Catchpole Archives

Posted on 28 September 20227 August 2026 by Louise Parkes

Celebrating 40 Years of Service: Paul Reeder’s Milestone

At Collier & Catchpole, we are celebrating a significant milestone today — Paul Reeder’s 40 years of service! A huge congratulations to Paul for his dedication, loyalty, and hard work over the past four decades.

A Message from Our Managing Director, Tim Rowbottom

“In a world of constant change, having long-serving employees is an important part of maintaining Collier’s traditions and performance. We are extremely proud that Paul has felt that we are a company he has been happy to work for over the last 40 years.”

As an independent builders’ merchant, we know that the strength of our business lies not only in the quality of our building materials and customer service but also in the commitment of our long-serving employees.

In an ever-changing world, having team members like Paul, who have been with us for 40 years, helps maintain the core values, traditions, and high standards that Collier & Catchpole is known for throughout Essex and Suffolk.

Paul’s longevity with our company is a testament to the positive working environment we strive to maintain. As an independent business, we are proud to foster a team culture that encourages growth, loyalty, and a genuine sense of community.

Celebrating long-serving employees like Paul are a vital part of our success, and their dedication ensures that we continue to deliver exceptional service to our customers, both in-store and through our delivery services.

Our progress has always been driven by the people in our business and they remain the most valuable asset the company has. We are immensely proud that over 25% of our staff have been with us for more than 10 years with more than 50% having completed 5 years of service.

As we celebrate Paul’s 40 years with Collier & Catchpole, we remain committed to supporting our team and growing as an independent company that serves the Essex and Suffolk communities. Thank you, Paul, for being such an integral part of our journey!

For more information about Collier & Catchpole, your trusted independent supplier of building materials in Essex and Suffolk, visit us today.

Posted on 6 September 20227 August 2026 by Louise Parkes

Discover the Beauty and Durability of Millboard Decking in Suffolk

If you’re looking for a decking solution that combines natural beauty with long-lasting performance, Millboard decking is the perfect choice for your garden. Inspired by the timeless appeal of real wood, Millboard is designed to outperform traditional decking in every way.

We’ve partnered with Millboard to bring you an exciting new display at our Ipswich branch, showcasing the range of decking options that will transform your outdoor space.

Millboard decking stands out from conventional composite decking thanks to its unique construction. As a result, it looks exceptionally like real wood, but doesn’t rot, retains high slip-resistance even when wet, and requires little maintenance other than a simple wipe clean.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current decking or planning a new garden project, you can visit us to explore the variety of Millboard decking finishes and colours in person. This hands-on experience will help you choose the perfect decking option for your Suffolk home.

Millboard’s range includes popular collections like Enhanced Grain, which showcases natural wood textures, and Weathered Oak, which mimics the character of aged timber. Each option is carefully crafted to offer superior style and durability, perfect for creating inviting outdoor spaces where you can relax and entertain year-round.

With Millboard decking, you get the best of both worlds: the stunning look of natural wood with the high performance and longevity of modern materials.

“At Millboard, we believe in pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. Our journey began with a simple yet profound idea: to create outdoor decking solutions that combine the natural beauty of wood with the durability and low maintenance of modern materials. Our story is one of innovation and dedication. We embarked on a relentless pursuit of excellence, leveraging cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices to craft a product that exceeds expectations.”

Keep an eye out for our upcoming Pavestone landscaping display, coming soon to our Ipswich Branch.

Come visit our Ipswich shop today and explore our new decking display. Whether you’re looking to elevate your outdoor living area or need inspiration for a new landscaping project, Collier & Catchpole provides the perfect solution.

Posted on 27 August 20227 August 2026 by Louise Parkes

Collier & Catchpole £200,000 Investment in Ipswich Branch

Collier & Catchpole, a leading independent builders’ merchant, has proudly invested over £200,000 in refurbishing their Ipswich shop and sales office, along with reconfiguring the yard layout. This significant investment is set to bolster their commitment to providing top-quality building materials and products for delivery and collection in Essex and Suffolk.

The refurbishment has successfully increased the shop space by an impressive 33%, allowing for better access to an extensive range of building supplies. Customers can now browse a wider selection of products, from essential construction materials to the latest in landscaping and decorative finishes.

Managing Director Tim Rowbottom expressed his enthusiasm about the upgrade: “Our business is very much based on the people we employ, but without the correct tools and facilities, they will always struggle to do the job to the highest standards. This investment continues our drive to keep the business relevant to our customers’ needs and is focused very much on the service we provide.”

On Friday, 26th August, Collier & Catchpole opened the doors to their brand-new shop at the Ipswich depot. The official opening event was a week-long celebration filled with activities that highlighted their dedication to serving the Essex and Suffolk building communities.

Trade displays from top suppliers such as Azpects, Pavestone, Bradstone, ACO, Mannok, Millboard, Metsä Group, and Haemmerlin showcased the latest building products, tools and innovations. These key suppliers are integral to Collier & Catchpole’s mission to provide high-quality building materials in Essex and Suffolk.

Branch Manager Jason Wood commented on the successful event: “Thank you to all the staff and contractors for your hard work in getting the new shop over the line. The extra space makes it much easier for customers to buy building materials, and that is really important to us.”

Fun and Games: Celebrating with the Community

The grand opening wasn’t just about showcasing products; it was also about celebrating with the community. The team organized the “Colliers Shovel Off!” game, where visitors competed to hold an OX shovel at a 90-degree angle for as long as possible.

John from Eagle Construction emerged victorious after an impressive 3 minutes and 30 seconds, taking home the shovel at the end of the event.

Guests also enjoyed delicious wood-fired pizzas from The Mobile Pizza Co, a local catering company.

Throughout the week, raffle tickets were handed out for instant wins. Prizes were generously donated by suppliers such as OX Tools, Rhino Flexi-tubs, Timco, ACO, Millboard, and Lexden Wood Golf Club. These giveaways added extra excitement to the event and showcased the strong relationships Collier & Catchpole maintains with top industry brands.

There’s no sign of slowing down for Collier & Catchpole. Work has already begun on Suffolk’s First Official Millboard Decking Display, set to be featured at the entrance of the new Ipswich shop. Expected to be completed in September, this display will provide customers with firsthand experience of Millboard’s exceptional decking products—ideal for those looking to enhance their outdoor spaces.

In 2019, Collier & Catchpole expanded by opening a third branch in Tendring to serve the Lawford Manningtree area, reinforcing their dedication to meeting the needs of customers across Essex and Suffolk. This latest investment in the Ipswich branch is another step in their ongoing mission to provide unparalleled service and access to high-quality building materials and products.

Marketing Manager Louise Parkes summed up the company’s forward momentum: “It’s great to finally see the new shop open for business. Everyone has worked so hard. Going forward, trading at the Ipswich depot will be vastly streamlined.”

Collier & Catchpole invites all customers, new and existing, to visit the newly refurbished Ipswich shop to explore the expanded range of building supplies. With improved facilities and an even larger selection of products, finding the right materials for your project has never been easier.

Can’t make it to the store? No problem! Visit colliercatchpole.co.uk to shop online and arrange for convenient delivery or collection in Essex and Suffolk. From construction materials to landscaping products, Collier & Catchpole is your one-stop shop for your building materials.