NEWSROUND
“Challenging trading year” costs Travis Perkins dear
Builders merchant group Travis Perkins saw operating profits wiped out, as it slipped to a pre- tax loss profit loss of -£77m, for the year ended December 31 2024, on group sales revenue that was, at £4.607bn, 4.7% down on the year before. The fall was, it said, driven by price deflation, continued decline in market volumes and underperformance of its Merchanting segment Full year adjusted operating profit of £152m represented
Lawsons hit gold standard for Fair Tax
Builders merchant group Lawsons has become the first building materials merchant group in the UK to be awarded the Fair Tax Mark accreditation gold standard of responsible tax conduct.
The Fair Tax Mark certifies that a business seeks to follow the spirit, as well as the letter of the law, shuns corporate tax avoidance, such as the artificial use of tax havens, and is transparent about profits made and taxes paid.
A third-generation family- owned business, Lawsons isthe largest independently owned builders merchant group in the South East of England.
Chris Harrison, Lawsons group finance director said: “We have a culture of transparency across our entire business, whether in our dealings with customers, suppliers or our people. As a significant player in the sector, it is only right that we should publicly demonstrate our approach to paying our fair share of tax in full and at the right time.”
Jeremy Norris, group managing director, added: “The Fair Tax Mark is another way we demonstrate our values and best practices to our customers,suppliers and people.”
a fall of 23%, compared with 2023’s £198m, though the final operating profit of £2m (2023: £161m) reflects trading performance, as well as adjusting items of £139m related to impairments in Staircraft and certain Merchanting branches and restructuring.
The Group’s Merchanting businesses saw revenue fall by (6.2)% in the year to £3,786m as a result of price deflation and the depressed levels of UK construction activity and
an intensely competitive backdrop. Five
general merchanting branches and one CCF branch were opened during the year, with 51 merchant branches closed, most of them Benchmarx, but also nine general merchanting and one Keyline.
Toolstation UK saw adjusted operating profit up 48% driven by robust sales growth, improved gross margins and supply chain and overhead efficiencies,
pushing sales up 2.5% to £821m. On 10 March 2025, Pete
Redfern resigned as Chief Executive Officer as a result of ill health, and chairman Geoff
Drabble, is working with the management team during the interim period.
Drabble said: “Whilst uncertainty remains regarding the strength and timing of a recovery in UK construction activity, with more resources re- deployed into customer-facing roles, the Group is now better placed to benefit from returning demand.”
Bradfords opens in Barnstaple
South West independent builders merchant Bradfords Building Supplies has opened a new branch at Roundswell Business Park Barnstaple. It employs 18 new members of staff, including two apprentices. Bradfords CEO David Young said: “We’re delighted to be opening our doors to the people of Barnstaple and serving the local community, both in- branch and through our work outside of building materials. North Devon has always been a key location for Bradfords, and with the opening of the Barnstaple branch we can now serve the whole of the region more efficiently, providing daily deliveries and top-tier support.” l Bradfords Building Supplies hosted a constituency visit for Gideon Amos OBE MP, the MP
Expansion helps MKM edge ahead for full year
MKM Building Supplies saw revenue rise by 6.4% for the year to September 30 2024, on the back of an expanding branch network.
Sales for the year were £986m (2023: £927m), and profits were £77m, down from £88m in 2023,
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reflecting market conditions and the greater proportion of immature branches.
During the year the merchant added 11 branches, eight of them greenfield operations, and two via acquisition. It also expanded its tool hire business, taking the
instore offering to 17 branches. CEO Kate Tinsley OBE, said: “MKM had a strong 2024, significantly outperforming the sector and growing revenues, despite a tough market. The market seems to be stabilising with lower interest rates and better
for Taunton & Wellington. A qualified urban designer and chartered architect, Amos is the Lib Dems’ Housing and Planning Spokesman in the House of Commons. He was welcomed by CEO David Young, regional director Jason Morris, and the Builders Merchants’ Federation’s Brett Amphlett.
The MP heard how merchants and their SME trade customers have managed in recent times with higher prices and rising fuel, employment and other costs.
consumer spending, leading to more property transactions and mortgage approvals. We’re in a good position to benefit from these positive trends and are excited about the year ahead”. In February 2025, MKM opened four new branches: MKM Plymouth, MKM Bridgend, MKM Bangor and MKM Cheltenham.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net April 2025
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