Howdens aims to empower and support traders with new Business Builder initiative

Trade kitchen supplier Howdens has launched its Business Builder initiative to help bridge the skills gap and to empower sole traders.

Recent surveys of over 500 Howdens trade customers found that 80% were worried about the nation-wide skills shortage and 88% felt more should be done to attract new industry talent, including creating more apprenticeships (74%); more bursaries (58%), changes to the education system (48%) and investment in more training (34%).

Over 40% of tradespeople surveyed in April and May 2025 said their business has been affected by the crisis, and established tradespeople have reported the lack of support available in the sector, with 64% of Howdens trade customers calling for more resources to support self-employed tradespeople. Howdens also found that 47% of trades don’t think there is enough existing support for those running their own businesses.

In response, Howdens has launched the Business Builder as a free online source of information with peer-to-peer tips from established tradespeople to help fellow trades to build and grow their businesses. It brings together experts to share insight on finances, how to manage and market a small business, customer acquisition and retention.

Austin Cooke, managing director - trade at Howdens, said: “The national skills shortage has been well-publicised, but we think the industry needs to do more to encourage new sole traders to join it, and more to support tradespeople to build their business skills and grow their business. We want to empower new and aspiring sole traders, and further support established tradespeople, to help them grow their businesses as their trusted partners.

“Business Builder reflects our commitment to helping make the industry stronger, upskilled, and more resilient. Whether it’s through practical training, business skills, or simply a place to connect with others, Business Builder is here to support new and growing trade professionals every step of the way – the latest evolution of how we’ve always done business, with tradespeople at the heart.”

In addition to the online content, Howdens will run 12 depot events across the UK, giving tradespeople the chance to drop in, meet industry experts and like-minded tradespeople, and get tailored advice on growing their businesses. These depot events also give tradespeople a chance to meet their local depot team to understand how Howdens can support building their business.