MKM Building Supplies is encouraging builders’ merchants and businesses across the construction industry to install defibrillators, after the equipment has been used to help people during medical emergencies at several of its branches.
To mark Restart a Heart Day on 16 October, MKM is sharing its experiences to highlight the importance of having defibrillators close by, and to reassure people that they don’t need medical training to use one.
MKM began installing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) across its branches in 2020. Today, every branch has one, with all devices registered on The Circuit, the UK’s national defibrillator network, which helps ambulance services locate them in an emergency.
While MKM hoped the equipment would never be needed, its teams have now had to use the devices on several occasions, stepping in to help customers during medical emergencies.
Simon Raywood, head of health and safety at MKM Building Supplies and chair of the Builders Merchants Federation’s (BMF) health and safety working Group, said: “When we first started installing defibrillators across our branches, we hoped we’d never have to use them. Unfortunately, there have now been several occasions when they’ve been needed, and that’s really brought home just how important it is to have one available.
“These are frightening situations for everyone involved. Nobody expects to come into work and find themselves dealing with a medical emergency, but that’s exactly what some of our colleagues have faced.
“What has really stayed with us is the gratitude of the families. Every time, they’ve been incredibly thankful to the teams who stepped forward to help. It shows what a difference having a defibrillator, and people willing to use it, can make.”
The branch teams have access to defibrillator training, giving them the confidence to step in if it’s ever needed.
Simon continued: “I think a lot of people assume you need specialist training to use a defibrillator. We offer training across MKM, and we’d always encourage people to take it up, but the devices themselves are very straightforward.
“Branch team members who’ve had to use them in real emergencies have told us how easy the instructions were to follow, even in what was obviously a very frightening situation.
“It’s understandable to worry about doing something wrong when someone’s life could be at stake. But the defibrillator talks you through what to do, step by step, and won’t deliver a shock unless it’s needed.
“We want people to know that, because we’d hate for someone to hesitate when they could be helping to save a life.”
According to the British Heart Foundation, there are more than 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year, with fewer than one in ten people surviving.
For every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation, the chances of survival can decrease by up to 10%.
Despite the potential to save lives, many defibrillators aren’t used in emergencies because people don’t know where to find them or ambulance services aren’t aware of their location.
By registering its devices on The Circuit, MKM makes sure ambulance services can see where they are and direct callers to them when needed.
For Simon, it’s something he’d like to see more businesses across the industry prioritise.
“Builders’ merchants are busy places. Every day, we’ve got branch teams, customers, tradespeople, delivery drivers and members of the public coming through our doors. A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, and the emergency services can’t always get there in those first few minutes.
“We’ve made sure there’s a defibrillator in every MKM branch because we believe it’s the right thing to do. Having seen them used in real emergencies, we’re even more convinced of that.
“I’d encourage every merchant, whatever their size, to seriously consider installing one. Make sure people know where it is, register it with The Circuit and give colleagues the chance to learn how it works.
“And most importantly, don’t be afraid to use it. You hope you’ll never need to, but if you do, having a defibrillator close by could make all the difference.”
Restart a Heart Day takes place annually on 16 October and is led by Resuscitation Council UK. The initiative raises awareness of cardiac arrest and encourages more people to learn CPR and how to use a defibrillator.
By sharing its experiences, MKM hopes more businesses will consider installing defibrillators and help give people the confidence to act when they’re needed.
See page 24 of our October/November 2026 issue on our Back Issues page.
