MERCHANT FOCUS: STARK GROUP
REFLECTION A
I
In March 2023, Jewson, one of the UK’s best recognised names in the building materials distribution sector was sold to a relatively unknown group. At least, it was relatively unknown in the UK; the 7.8bn euros STARK Group is based in Denmark, but has operations across Scandinavia and Northern Europe. Unlike Saint Gobain, Jewson’s previous owner, the STARK Group is focussed purely on building materials distribution. It came into the UK market with an aim of revitalising and reenergising the Jewson business, along with its other specialist sister brands, and launched STARK Building Materials UK Ltd (STARK UK) to achieve that.
STARK
Two years ago, builders merchant Jewson, along with its associated building distribution businesses, was sold to the Danish STARK Group, which marked the launch of STARK Building Materials UK Ltd. BMJ catches up with CEO John Carter about what’s been happening since.
Looking back at the two-year point, CEO John Carter says: “Our second anniversary as STARK Building Materials UK Ltd, is a moment to recognise just how far we have come on the journey to transform our group of builders’ merchant and distributor businesses and to look ahead to the next stage of our plans, with excitement.”
The group has, he continues, spent the past two years working very hard to establish the strong foundations to support the company as it continues to implement the strategy and enable its growth plans: “We have made good progress to date and will continue to make the planned improvements needed, despite
Above: L-R - John Carter, CEO STARK UK; Neil Grindley, regional managing director, STARK UK; Emma Paton, host of Jewson Live on Tour at the NEC
the persistent economic and market pressures that are impacting everyone in our sector and society more broadly.”
The most obvious change has been a rebrand of the Jewson logo to incorporate new colours and the STARK Group’s emblem, along with a gradual redevelopment of branches. This aspect hasn’t just been about repainting and rebadging though, there is a programme of branch redevelopment into the Branch of the Future. These include features common to branches in Germany and the Nordic countries, such as an expanded product range, optimised layout with timber under cover, a ‘brew station’ and streamlined processes specifically tailored to support small and medium-sized builders and skilled tradespeople.
Customer journey
“The best part of what has happened so far has been bringing customers, colleagues and communities on the journey with us,” Carter says. “At the outset, we made a conscious decision to actively seek feedback from a broad set of stakeholders – including customers and suppliers – as we set out a clear plan for STARK UK. The improvements we have made to date, and the positive changes that are still underway, are in direct response to dynamic market conditions and so that we establish a valuable customer proposition for
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www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net April 2025
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