OBAS
OBAS is a builders merchants based in Longridge, near Preston in Lancashire. The business was incorporated in 2008, however the brand had existed from around 2004. The brand-name was created from an acronym formed from the first letters of the phrase Our Blades Are Superior.
OBAS Group was formed in 2008 when serial entrepreneur Norman Tenray bought four failed companies: Express Plumbing and Safety Supplies trading as EPS, HWA UK Ltd trading as HWA and Impact Decor and Design Ltd trading as IDD from the receivers PKF as well as Slater Development.
This construction supplies business formed OBAS UK and has around 50 staff, including 25 sales staff, which also includes Health Care divisions and technical support services for the construction sector. The healthcare division of the OBAS Group supplies around 3,500 products to public and private healthcare sector. In October 2012 OBAS UK reported securing a £615,000 invoice finance facility.
OBAS UK sells tens of thousands of products to trade and DIY customers, both locally and nation-wide, with ranges including construction supplies, workwear, PPE and safety gear.
In April 2014 OBAS announced that Simon Dalley had been appointed as the Group's Marketing Manager. May 2014 saw the organisation open the company's first Trade Counter at their Longridge Headquarters to capitalise on the relatively low coverage of construction supplies businesses in the area. The company stated the new Trade Counter will be used by national contractors, independent tradesmen and DIY enthusiasts, whilst commenting that having a store front will enable them to engage in person with their customers (rather than their traditional model which involves telephone based account managers and field sales).
On his LinkedIn profile, Dalley mentions that although the business traditionally operates a "largely call-centre-centric offline model, selling tens of thousands of products to trade and DIY customers" the business is now "focussing on growing physical locations, field sales and web sales to strengthen the business and build in resilience."
In December 2014 OBAS announced 6 new jobs been created in the business and 5 were to be created at the start of 2016 with the assistance of Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.