profile
Derrick McFarland
Derrick has been integral to the success of Keystone Group for almost 25 years. Moving from the company’s base in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, to set up its operation in Swadlincote, Derbyshire, two decades ago, the move was a natural fit and rapid growth quickly followed.
Derrick is passionate about the building trade. His focus is on delivering excellent customer service through good people and great products. Working with an amazing group of colleagues, Derrick ensures clients are welcomed to Swadlincote in a way that has become customary for Keystone Group.
Keystone Lintels
Keystone Lintels Limited is a leading manufacturer of steel lintels, founded in 1989. The short history of Keystone has been one of relentless expansion and continuous innovation whilst redefining the meaning of service in the lintel industry.
Production facilities in Birmingham, Cwmbran, and Cookstown provide an efficient, flexible and ergonomic working environment, which is part of the culture of quality and service at Keystone.
Keystone Lintels offers a comprehensive range of standard and special steel lintels, and recently developed its ground breaking Hi-Therm lintel, to address the thermal requirements of new building regulations.
Hi-Therm is up to five times more thermally efficient than a standard steel cavity wall lintel. Its GRP outer leaf acts as a thermal break, whilst the galvanised steel inner leaf maintains support for the heavier loaded internal leaf.
Hi Therm is a multi-award winning product, winning Best Eco Product at the Build It Awards 2013, Product of the Year at the Housebuilder Awards 2013, and Best Building Fabric at the 2013 and 2014 Housebuilder Product Awards.
Find out more at www.keystonelintels.com or visit the Group website at www.keystonelintels.com. Follow @KeystoneTweets
Launched in 2015, the award winning monthly Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report is the only reliable measure of repair, maintenance & improvement (RMI) activity in the UK. Filling an important gap, it can be widely used in construction, and by economists, Government, national media, commentators and influencers outside the industry.
Keystone Lintels Comment: Q4 2025
There were few surprises in Q4 2025, as the steel lintels market followed a familiar seasonal pattern. Activity eased in the usual November and December slowdown delivering a noticeable reduction in volumes. While this drop is typical for the final quarter, it highlights how fragile confidence is across the housing sector.
Compared with the same period last year, performance was broadly stable, pointing to a market that is holding its position rather than gaining momentum. Enquiry levels indicate there is still work in the pipeline, but order values remain modest and decision-making cautious. Housebuilders continue to grapple with affordability pressures, planning delays and cost uncertainty, all of which constrained output through the latter part of the year.
The economic backdrop has done little to improve sentiment. The late Budget offered limited support or incentives for construction. Ongoing volatility in the steel market has added further pressure, influencing procurement behaviour and reinforcing a defensive approach to buying. As a result, the outlook for early 2026 remains uncertain, with the first quarter, and potentially into Q2, likely to feel unsettled as confidence slowly rebuilds.
That said, there are reasons for cautious optimism. The economy is beginning to stabilise, with easing inflation and improving borrowing conditions starting to support household confidence. While this is unlikely to translate into a rapid uplift in activity, greater stability should help underpin demand over time. Encouragingly, private new home registrations suggest that intent within the sector remains, even if delivery continues to lag in the short term.
Regulation remains a key consideration. Although the Future Homes Standard has been delayed, its direction is unchanged. Increased focus on building fabric and reducing heat loss is already influencing specification decisions. Practical, fabric-first solutions such as Keystone’s Hi-Therm lintels provide a straightforward, low-cost way for housebuilders to improve thermal performance while preparing for future requirements.
It’s tempting for merchants to reduce stock levels during quieter periods, but those who maintain the right breadth and availability will be best placed to support builders when demand returns. He who dares, wins. Collaboration across the supply chain, sharing enquiries and supporting customers will be critical as we move through early 2026 and position for more sustainable growth later in the year.