Kellaway Building Supplies

About Kellaway Building Supplies

Kellaway Building Supplies is proud to be the largest and fastest-growing independent builders’ merchant in the South West of England. Family-owned and operated since 1982, we strive to be the Merchant of Choice for our employees—fostering a culture rooted in safety, recognition, and reward.

We are an ambitious organisation, with staff development and growth forming the foundation of our core values. We offer a wide range of opportunities for team members at every level to enhance their skills and progress in their careers.

Company culture

Our Culture at Kellaway Building Supplies

At Kellaway Building Supplies, our success is built on the strength of our people. As a family-run business since 1982, we’ve grown into the largest independent builders’ merchant in the South West of England—not just through expansion, but through a deep commitment to our team.

We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where every employee is encouraged to grow, contribute, and thrive. Our culture is shaped by mutual respect, open communication, and a shared ambition to deliver excellence in everything we do.

Employee Centred Values

• Professional Growth: We believe in unlocking potential. Through structured development programmes, mentorship opportunities, and internal promotions, we aim for one-third of all senior and middle management roles to be filled from within.
• Wellbeing & Support: We prioritise safety and wellbeing across all sites and teams. Our wellness initiatives and supportive policies ensure that employees feel valued and cared for.
• Equality & Fairness: We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our practices are free from discrimination and grounded in fairness—regardless of race, gender identity, age, disability, religion, or background.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Our achievements are the result of exceptional teamwork. Every individual plays a vital role in our collective success, and we celebrate contributions at all levels.

Our Promise

We aim to be the Merchant of Choice—not only for our customers and trading partners, but for our employees. By empowering our teams, recognising their efforts, and creating opportunities for advancement, we ensure that Kellaway remains a place where people want to work, grow, and succeed.

Employee benefits and perks

• Competitive Salaries with bonus schemes and overtime pay
• Generous Holiday schemes
• Contractual sick pay schemes
• Group pension scheme with matching employer contributions
• Free life insurance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 GP, counselling, bereavement counselling, physiotherapy, financial/legal advice, wellbeing resources, lifestyle coaching, savings & discounts)
• Career Growth, including full training, coaching, and extensive opportunities for development

Career development and growth

Career Development and Growth Opportunities at Kellaway Building Supplies

At Kellaway Building Supplies, we are committed to supporting the professional growth of our team. We offer a range of structured development programmes designed to help employees advance their careers, including:

• Apprenticeships delivered in partnership with the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF)
• Leadership development through the BMF Management Diploma
• Internal mentorship schemes to foster learning and support
• Ongoing training and learning opportunities tailored to individual roles
• Internal plant training through our in-house training team
• Promotion from within, with over one-third of our senior and middle management positions consistently filled by internal candidates

We believe in investing in our people and creating clear pathways for career progression.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship Opportunities at Kellaway Building Supplies

At Kellaway Building Supplies, we are proud to offer a wide range of apprenticeship opportunities through our strong partnership with the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF). These programmes are designed to support career starters, career changers, and existing employees seeking structured development and nationally recognised qualifications.

Programme Structure and Support

Our apprenticeships are delivered in collaboration with the BMF and include full support throughout the process—from initial registration to funding and training delivery. The BMF offers a comprehensive suite of programmes across England, Wales, and Scotland, including:

• Trade Supplier Apprenticeship – currently active within our team
• Assistant Accountant (L3) – currently active within our team

Each programme is tailored to the learner’s role and development goals, with eligibility criteria aligned to government guidelines. The BMF handles screening, application processing, and coordination with training providers.

How We Help You Get Started

We guide managers and candidates through every step:

• Aligning job descriptions to apprenticeship frameworks
• Completing registration and eligibility checks
• Advertising vacancies via BMF and other platforms like Indeed
• Managing logistics and onboarding with support from the BMF’s Apprenticeship Manager

We also host insight sessions and internal briefings to help managers understand the process and identify suitable roles for apprentices.

Real Success Stories

One standout example is Sam, who transitioned from a casual role to a full-time Yard and Warehouse Operative. He was trained in all plant operations and enrolled in the Trade Supplier Apprenticeship, with all arrangements and funding managed by the BMF.  Sam is performing very well on the programme and has recently moved branch to broaden his experience and skill base.

EDI (equity, diversity & inclusion) initiatives

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Kellaway Building Supplies

At Kellaway Building Supplies, we believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our success. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and empowered to thrive.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and ensure that every candidate is considered fairly and solely on their skills, experience and potential. Our recruitment, training and promotion practices are designed to eliminate bias and foster equal access to opportunities.

We uphold the principles of the Equality Act 2010, which protects individuals from discrimination based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. These protected characteristics are central to our commitment to fairness and dignity at work.

Inclusive Recruitment and Career Progression

Our recruitment and selection processes are built on transparency and merit. We:

• Advertise roles widely to reach diverse talent pools
• Ensure job descriptions and specifications are inclusive and accurately reflect role requirements
• Train managers to make fair, unbiased decisions
• Provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process

Career development at Kellaway is based on ability and aspiration. We regularly review our practices to ensure equal access to training, promotion and leadership opportunities.

A Safe and Respectful Workplace

We are committed to maintaining a neutral and respectful working environment where everyone feels safe and valued. Harassment, bullying and victimisation have no place at Kellaway, and we have clear policies in place to address any concerns.

If any employee feels they have been treated unfairly, they are encouraged to raise the matter through our grievance procedure, which is handled with confidentiality and care.

Monitoring and Accountability

To ensure our policies are effective, we monitor recruitment and employment data and review our practices regularly. This helps us identify areas for improvement and take meaningful action to promote equality and diversity across our organisation.

Sustainability / environmental stewardship

Sustainability at Kellaway Building Supplies

At Kellaway, we’re committed to building a greener future—reducing our environmental impact while helping our customers do the same.

Local Branches, Lower Emissions

Our branch network is designed for convenience and sustainability. By opening branches close to our customers and each other, we reduce travel emissions for everyone—customers, suppliers, and our own fleet.

Smarter Transport

We operate a modern, energy-efficient fleet, including hybrid vehicles. Our telematics system helps cut fuel use and emissions by reducing idle time and improving driving habits. Staff are also encouraged to cycle, supported by our Cycle to Work scheme.

Greener Products

We prioritise sustainable sourcing and offer eco-friendly alternatives like sheep’s wool insulation, VOC-free paints, and recycled materials. We maintain FSC® and PEFC certification to ensure responsible timber sourcing.

Green Partnerships

We work with organisations like Futureproof and The Green Register to promote sustainable building practices and aim for zero waste to landfill through partnerships with skip companies.

Paperless Progress

Over half our customers now receive paperless invoices. We use digital formats for brochures and encourage staff to minimise printing. When we do print, it’s on FSC-certified or recycled paper.

Sustainable Buildings

We design and refurbish our buildings to maximise space and energy efficiency. We also support customers with materials and advice for airtight, low-impact construction.

Waste as a Resource

We promote a circular economy—reducing, reusing, and recycling wherever possible. Our procurement approach ensures assets are used to their fullest.

Energy & Water Efficiency

We’re installing LED lighting and motion sensors across branches and use rainwater harvesting at our Bath site. Regular checks help prevent water waste.

Supporting Local Communities

We donate surplus and slightly damaged materials to local projects, helping reduce landfill waste and strengthen community ties.