Inter-Line’s building legacy powers community through Torbay Business Awards

If you’ve been involved in any building work – large or small – then you’ve probably heard of Inter-Line Building Supplies and seen their vans delivering green dumpy bags around the Bay.

Established in 1976, Inter-Line is more than just a business; it’s a cherished family legacy. 

Co-founded by Stan and Beryl Moreing, the journey began as drylining contractors working out of rented stables. The vision quickly evolved, leading to a multi-million-pound company that prides itself on serving the local community – and that’s why they are delighted to sponsor the Apprentice category in this year’s Business Awards.

From modest beginnings, Inter-Line embarked on a journey of growth and expansion. With seven branches across Torquay, Paignton, Brixham, Totnes, Exeter, Teignmouth and Dawlish, there are almost 100 friendly and knowledgeable staff eager to help with any queries on building projects.

Above: Inter-Line's Paignton branch

In addition, their own in-house mechanical workshop manages an impressive fleet of 14 vehicles, which enables reliable deliveries through  tiny local Devon lanes.

Inter-Line have also recently invested in an impressive new 2-acre site in Exeter, serving people around the area, which has been a great success. But what makes Inter-Line so special?

As Neil Robinson, Inter-Line director, said: “Customer and community service is at the heart of what we do. We make sure that every customer gets great service from start to finish, no matter how big or small the job is – and that enables us to help the wider community.”

As it is a local family-run business, it is firmly grounded in serving the community – supporting local events, charities and communities – and has donated over £250,000 to causes such as RNLI, Rowcroft Hospice, Age UK Torbay and Exeter, Children’s Hospice South West and Exeter Food Bank.

They also support many local sports teams, including rugby, cricket and football, as well as sponsoring events like Brixham’s Pirate Festival, Paignton’s Children’s Week, Torbay Carnival and Torbay Steam Rally.

Inter-Line also  donates materials and tools to community organisations like Play Torbay, Orchard Forest School, Lifeworks, Dainton Copse Forest School and Friends of Brixham’s Battery Gardens.

Above: New Exeter branch trade day April 2025

Age UK Torbay and Exeter

Age UK Torbay and the Brixham Pirate Festival are two of the latest organisations to benefit from recent donations from Inter-Line.

Mr Robinson said: “We are a local company and feel it is important to support our local community wherever we can – whether that is through donating to charities like RNLI Torbay, Rowcroft Hospice, Guide Dogs for the Blind, and Foxhole Community Centre or supporting many local sports teams and organisations.

“Last winter was hard for many people, so we had an idea to donate £1 for every Knauf loft insulation roll we sold over a 3-month period with the aim of helping to keep our local older people safe and warm. It was such a successful promotion that we repeated it this year and are delighted to donate £1,000 to both the Torbay and Exeter branches of Age UK.”

Brixham Pirate Festival

Inter-Line were also one of the main sponsors of the recent Brixham Pirate Festival, a vibrant three-day event, which attracted thousands of residents and visitors.

John Ingram, chair of the festival, said: “A huge thanks to Inter-Line for their generous donation to Brixham Pirate Festival. This free event is only made possible through the support of local businesses and donations and does so much for the area. A hearty thanks to Inter-Line for supporting the local community so well.”

Focus on local –  beautiful Bay

As well as donating to local causes and sponsoring events, Inter-Line impacts the local economy in so many other ways, especially in helping the next generation of employees.

This includes engaging with South Devon College and Torbay Council’s ‘Build Torbay’ campaign to help attract the younger generation into the construction sector, working with other partners around the Bay.

Inter-Line, led by their operations manager Scott Thomas, also works with local schools, like Cuthbert Mayne, Paignton Community College, and Torquay Community College, advising and presenting during their careers’ events and also inviting students to the branches to enable a better understanding of business and opportunities.

Above: Rowcroft car supported by Inter-Line

Award winning…

Inter-Line have themselves won 15 awards for their work on both a national and local basis, including:

Developing influential leaders – Neil Robinson, financial director, was named as one of the Top 100 Merchant Influencers in the Builders’ Merchant Federation in 2021.

Influencing others – achieved the 2022 Award for ‘Most engaged NBG Partner for 2-9 branches’. This National Building Group is the premier buying group for independent merchants, with 90 partners with 500+ branches.

Voted Overall Business of the Year at the South Devon Business Excellence Awards in 2011 and National Independent Merchant of the Year, 2012. Inter-Line has also become a Silver Sponsor in the Torbay Business Forum to help further develop local partnerships.

As Neil said: “Inter-Line are delighted to be sponsoring the Apprenticeship Category in this year’s awards and help celebrate the great successes in the Bay. It is so important to nurture and develop the next generation.”

They’ve also just upgraded their website, which includes thousands of products and a trade accounts section, so if you want to set up an account for your renovations and building works, do get in touch and take a look. www.inter-line.co.uk.

For trade or DIY, get Inter-Line!