MKM Building Supplies has now launched branches 140 and 141, with new depots in Wellingborough and Swindon both officially opening their doors on Monday 2nd March.
The news follows on from the independent merchant opening new branches in Sidcup and Arbroath on the same day in early February. Officially branch number 140, MKM’s new site in Wellingborough will create over 16 local jobs, “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.
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. He said: “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.”
MKM Swindon (main image), meanwhile, becomes the 141st branch in its network and marks the sixth opening of 2026. 17 new jobs have been created as the new branch brings together a highly experienced team, led by Branch Directors Damien Lockey and Scott Woodward — themselves both born and raised in the area and bringing over 45 years of merchanting experience between them.
Damien said: “For us, it’s about doing things properly. We’ve been given the freedom to build our dream team, shape the branch around local needs and deliver the kind of service people in Swindon deserve. That’s what MKM is all about.”
Scott added: “We’re both local lads, so this isn’t just another branch opening. We know the area, we know the trades and we know what good service looks like. Having the ability to make decisions locally means we can react quickly and genuinely look after customers.”
As a locally led branch, MKM Swindon is “focused on playing an active role in the wider community.” The team will support local charity STEP Swindon, with an initial donation already planned alongside ongoing fundraising and community activity.
And the same is true in Wellingborough, where both Dave and Jake are keen for their branch to play an active role in the area 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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