Redevelopment Plans to Enhance Service, Community Impact and Customer Experience
We have announced plans for a significant expansion of our Forres branch. We have applied for planning permission to demolish the existing depot to make way for a state-of-the-art facility on the same site. This redevelopment marks an exciting chapter in our 35-year history of providing top-tier building materials, roofing, joinery supplies and, more recently, kitchen and bathroom solutions.
Managing Director Jeff Smith shared insights on the project, emphasising its scale and the benefits it will bring to customers and the local community. “The time is now right to grow our Forres operation,” he explained, referencing the success of their Keith branch’s move to purpose-built premises in 2012. The transformation anticipates not only better services and resources but also an economic uplift in the region through job creation and property value growth.
A Purpose-Built Facility Designed for Excellence
The planned redevelopment will introduce a purpose-built facility covering over two-and-a-half acres mirroring the state-of-the-art infrastructure at our Keith branch. With over 20,000 square feet of warehouse space and modernised office areas the Forres location is being designed to optimise both functionality and customer experience.
The redeveloped depot will feature:
- Expanded Warehouse Space: To increase stock capacity ensuring a wider product selection and reducing delays caused by out-of-stock items.
- Spacious Kitchen and Bathroom Showrooms: Offering our customers a chance to explore products in realistic settings enabling more informed decisions for their home improvement projects.
- A 2.5-Acre Storage Yard: Easy access to bulk materials for contractors, builders and trade professionals needing large quantities of supplies.
- Energy-Efficient Technologies: We will be aiming for environmental sustainability, our new facility will incorporate measures to minimise energy consumption.
These enhancements reflect our commitment to raising the bar on service delivery ensuring quicker and easier access to products and resources while improving operational efficiency for our staff.
Strengthening Local Impact and Customer Service
As part of our expansion plans, KBM highlights values that resonate with our customers: community support, technological innovation and personalised service. The project will hopefully serve as an economic driver for the Forres area, creating jobs during both construction and long-term operation phases. According to Jeff Smith the redevelopments presence could positively affect local property values underscoring its broader community benefits.
Beyond economic considerations, we are doubling down on our ability to serve trade and DIY customers effectively. With a team that includes sales staff trained by industry manufacturers we remain focused on equipping them with the latest product knowledge and application techniques, ensuring that every customer interaction adds value.
"Our customers can expect better service on all fronts," noted Jeff. "More space and better facilities will lead to improved efficiency, enabling all staff to assist customers with even greater effectiveness."
For those tackling DIY projects or large-scale builds this development means quicker deliveries and greater access to all building materials and tailored solutions. Whether you're a homeowner upgrading your kitchen or a contractor in need of bulk building supplies our new Forres branch will be a one-stop hub.
Meeting a Growing Demand for Trade and DIY Materials
The construction and home improvement industries continue to experience vibrant growth with a heightened focus on enhancing living spaces. Homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, and tradespeople are increasingly seeking convenience, variety and quality in their materials and supplies. Our redevelopment aims to meet these demands by providing a wider variety of offerings with the same trusted affordability and professionalism.
Customers can already access an extensive range of products at KBM—from building and roofing materials to plumbing, heating and garden supplies. With over 100 flooring samples on display and bespoke kitchen and bathroom design services we take pride in offering both quality and variety. The expansion will further extend these capabilities by accommodating new product lines and offering even better solutions for our diverse customer base.
Championing Convenience for Trade and DIY Enthusiasts
This next step in KBM’s journey affirms its dedication to our customers who depend on our reliability for their building materials supplies. By focusing on elements such as accessibility to bulk materials, a larger inventory of roofing and joinery supplies, and improved on-site facilities, we aim to streamline the shopping process for both tradespeople and DIY customers.
With our own fleet of vehicles we complement our in-store services with efficient delivery, ensuring customers get their materials when and where they need them. Services like this underpin KBM's reputation as a trusted building materials supplier across the North East of Scotland.
The planned Forres depot is expected to operate as smoothly and effectively as the Keith branch which we feel has long been a model of how to manage customer-centric growth. The move to an upgraded facility marks a strategic commitment by KBM to align with customer needs while anticipating future market trends.
Looking to the Future
Keith Builders Merchants is not just about materials and supplies; it’s about improving the customer experience and delivering value to the communities it serves. By uniting modern infrastructure with a personalised approach the expanded Forres branch is a reflection of our forward-thinking ethos.
The redevelopment is pending planning approval from Moray Council but if all goes as planned, KBM customers could see the new branch opening next year. For those who value high-quality materials paired with exceptional service this announcement represents a welcome development.
For further updates on the Forres branch expansion or to learn more about Keith Builders Merchants visit Keith Builders Merchants.