An e-commerce resource for the building industry, enabling contractors to order materials directly from suppliers, was launched yesterday.

Build-online is an extranet site set up at a cost of £250,000 (#317,434) - including a £50,000 Enterprise Ireland grant - giving suppliers access to architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors and housebuilders.

Mr Brian Moran, who established the site along with Mr David Palmer and a third investor, said he hoped to see a deal with Grafton Group, which owns Chadwicks builders' materials company, next week.