MKM Building Supplies, the UK’s proper independent builders’ merchant, will open its 140^th branch in Wellingborough on Monday 2 March 2026, creating over 16 local jobs and bringing decades of merchanting experience and a strong family heritage back to the area.

The new branch is led by Branch Directors Dave Toseland and Jake Toseland, an uncle-and-nephew duo whose family name has been connected to builders’ merchants locally for more than 50 years. Dave’s father, Len Toseland, founded Toseland’s Building Supplies in Rushden in 1975, building a well-known independent business centred on friendly service and strong community relationships before the company was acquired in 2004.

For the Toseland family, the MKM Wellingborough opening represents a return to independent values under a national brand that shares the same local, people-first ethos.

Dave said:

“I’ve lived in the area all my 56 years. The people here are loyal, hard-working and genuinely pleased to see others succeed. Our family ran an independent merchant locally for 30 years, so the chance to do that again – and to do it with family – is something we’re incredibly proud of.”

Dave’s career began as a Saturday boy at his father’s branch before joining full time at 16. He has since worked across every role in merchanting, from the yard through to Managing Director level, including 15 years managing the business following its sale and further senior positions with both independent and national merchants.

Jake’s route started on the tools as a roofer before moving into merchanting, gaining experience across internal sales, external sales, procurement, branch management and sales management.

Jake added:

“I was born here, went to school here and most of my family still live locally, so I’ve always been tied to the area. Opening MKM Wellingborough feels like bringing something back that the area has been missing. Independent merchants used to be everywhere locally, now they’re largely gone. We think bringing that model back is a real positive for the community.”

Built around what local trades actually need

Located on Meadow Close, Finedon Road, MKM Wellingborough will combine building materials, timber, plumbing & heating and kitchens & bathrooms under one roof, making it the only merchant locally to properly focus on all four categories at scale.

Initial recruitment will create 16 jobs, with further growth expected. Collectively, the team represents over 350 years of merchanting experience, with specialists across plumbing & heating, timber, heavyside and landscaping, with kitchen expertise planned as recruitment continues. Timber and carcassing products will be stored within a covered warehouse to keep materials in top condition.

Dave explained:

“We’ve worked in this area for over 50 years between us, so we know what local trades use day in, day out. Landscaping, timber, fencing and heavyside will be big categories here. The difference with MKM is we can shape our stock, pricing and transport around what our customers actually need.”

Service first, always

For Dave and Jake, restoring service standards is just as important as stock range. Conversations with local trades have highlighted frustrations around slow collections, unreliable deliveries and a lack of experienced staff.

Jake said:

“The overall service locally seems to be lacking, especially around delivery reliability and speed of collections. Our team will understand just how important our customers are and prioritise them above everything else. The experience we’ve got in branch will be hard to match, and MKM gives us the freedom to run the business in a way that genuinely suits our customers.”

Customers will benefit from free local delivery, including same-day options where possible. The branch will operate 18-tonne and 26-tonne HGV crane-offload vehicles, alongside a 3.5-tonne curtain-sided vehicle for smaller or restricted-access sites, with deliveries running Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings.

Dave added:

“We’ll lead from the front. Our team will always invite customers in for a coffee and a chat. A lot of trades work alone all day, and sometimes a hot drink and five minutes talking a job through makes all the difference.”

Multiple generations of the Toseland family have worked within local merchanting over the years, something Dave and Jake say aligns naturally with MKM’s culture. Both are keen for the branch to play an active role in Wellingborough through local sports sponsorships, apprenticeships and community support as it grows.

Jake summed it up:

“Being from the area, we want to see people succeed. Our goal is simple - service the local community properly, go back to our independent roots and help make life easier for the trades and homeowners we work with every day.”

 

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