The standout product story today is a genuinely new piece of hardware: Van Guard and Bott have jointly launched a van-mounted ladder clamp with a patented thread system that the pair claim eliminates the mess of bungee cords and ratchet straps for good. Elsewhere, new research from Uswitch puts numbers on something most trades already feel: the green skills shift is accelerating fast, and it is tradespeople rather than employers who are largely bankrolling it. There is also a practical digital tool worth noting for groundworkers and builders working on sites with unknown plant histories. Here is the full picture for 23 June 2026.

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Today's key signals

Van Guard and Bott launch patented ladder clamp Van Guard and Bott have introduced a co-developed ladder clamp designed specifically for van rooftop ladder carriers. The headline feature is a patented triple-start thread system, which tightens three times faster than a conventional single-start thread. In plain terms: where a standard wing nut or clamp might need six or seven full turns to secure, the triple-start design achieves the same grip in two. Spring-loaded secure locks hold the clamp closed even before the thread is engaged, preventing accidental release in transit. For trades who routinely load and unload ladders multiple times a day, the cumulative time saving is meaningful. Source: Professional Builder

Almost half of tradespeople funding their own green skills training New research by Uswitch reveals that 46% of tradespeople have invested in training for renewable or energy-efficient technologies in the past 12 months. The figure points to a skills transition that is happening at pace and, critically, being funded by individuals rather than employers or government schemes in many cases. Heat pump installation, solar PV, and EV charging point fitting are the disciplines drawing the most interest. Trades who have not yet explored what accreditation looks like in these areas may find the market moving ahead of them. Source: Professional Builder

Superscript and KYNEKT launch first tool theft claims solution for trades Superscript, the business insurance specialist, has partnered with KYNEKT to produce what it describes as the first dedicated tool theft claims solution for tradespeople. The system combines KYNEKT's tool identification and tracking capability with Superscript's insurance underwriting, aiming to reduce both the friction and the scepticism tradespeople often face when making tool theft claims. Tool theft remains one of the most common and disruptive problems facing UK trades, and a streamlined claims process with verified asset records behind it is a practical step forward. Source: Professional Builder

PCA launches app to help builders identify invasive plants on site The Property Care Association (PCA) has released a new app designed to help construction professionals spot and report invasive plant species before groundwork begins or progresses. Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed, and Himalayan balsam are the three most legally significant species, each capable of causing project delays and, in the case of knotweed, mortgage and planning complications if not handled through the correct channels. Catching them early through a structured identification tool, rather than discovering them after excavation has started, gives builders more options for managing the situation. Source: Professional Builder

STARK UK backs new Regional Building Foundation STARK Building Materials UK, which owns the Jewson merchant chain among other UK operations, has announced its support for the Regional Building Foundation (RBF), a new initiative that launched on 8 June. The Foundation is a joint project of The King's Foundation and the University of the Built Environment, established through a government-backed Knowledge Transfer Partnership. The RBF aims to support regional housebuilders, a sector STARK describes as central to the communities shaping Britain's built environment outside the major cities. Source: Professional Builder

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