NEWSROUND Travis Perkins sales rise for half-year


Builders merchant Travis Perkins reported a good first half performance which saw sales rise 10.3% to £2.53bn, driven by operational and strategic delivery. The merchanting division, with a rise in revenue of 13.3% to £2.15bn, and adjusted operating profit growth of 9.0%, was ahead of the general market, although a slow-down in sales at Toolstation was attributed to reduced DIY sales post-pandemic.


Nick Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Group has delivered a good performance


Fortune Brands favours Aqualisa


during the first half of the year, once again demonstrating the capability to navigate challenging market conditions.


“Our Merchant businesses


continue to perform well, taking market share and extending their market leading positions by developing the customer proposition to meet changing requirements within their respective markets. “Toolstation’s customer base returned to its core trade customer in the period following exceptional trading during the pandemic. We remain as confident as ever in the long term growth potential of the business and in our UK investment programme, whilst also increasing


investment in Toolstation Europe to take advantage of the opportunities we see in those markets.”


Three new merchanting branches were added, with six more remodelled or relocated, as well as six Benchmarx showrooms, and the first Managed Services fulfilment centre in Widnes.


The specialist businesses, which represent almost 40% of segmental revenue, continue to trade well with total sales growth of 15.1% across the combined businesses.


Lords grows first half-year turnover by 75%


Lords, the growing builders merchant group, has issued a trading update for the six-month period ended 30 June 2022, ahead of the publication of its interim results on 6 September 2022.


British shower manufacturer Aqualisa has been acquired by Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc from mid-market private equity firm LDC. Founded in 1977, Aqualisa invented the world’s first digital shower and is known for its commitment to innovation and new product development, particularly in the smart bathroom category. Mat Norris, CEO at Aqualisa, said: “Fortune Brands has a proven track record of investing in brands, innovation and people. We are excited for how we can enhance our service to our customers, trade professionals, partners and consumers. Now, we will have even more opportunities to pursue our mission of sustainably innovating the ultimate shower experience for generations to come.”


4


Group total revenue for the period increased by 19.9% to £214.7m, from £179.0m. Within that, the builders merchant side saw turnover increase by 73% to £105.9m from £61.1m, while the plumbing and heating side fell by 7.8% to £108.7m, from ££117.9m.


Advance Roofing Supplies,


an acquisition completed in Q1 2022, has now been implanted into Lords Builders Merchants Beaconsfield site, offering customers a logical product range extension and increasing the returns on that site, while the


Beesley and Fildes invests £3m in north west


Beesley & Fildes has invested £3m in expanding and upgrading its facilities to meet growing demand for building products across its 11 north west branches in Huyton, Liverpool, Merseyside, Cheshire and Greater Manchester and online.


The family-owned independent builder’s merchant has ploughed £1m into its timber milling facility and invested a further £2m in the development of a new distribution


centre, both located in Widnes. The 4.2 acre distribution centre will enable Beesley & Fildes to purchase more stock to meet demand, including civils and drainage products.


The site also houses new machinery designed to fulfil orders faster and more efficiently. An automated bagging machine for products such as stone and sand has the capacity to serve all 11 branches. A batching plant


has also been installed allowing concrete products such as fencing posts to be manufactured on site. The timber mill, acquired by Beesley & Fildes in 2004, produces skirting, architraves, flooring, planed timber, door casings and certified fire door casing kits, and also fulfils bespoke orders.


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net August 2022


specialist civils merchant brand George Lines has expanded by opening a third location in Horsham.


Mr Central Heating, the multi- channel Plumbing & Heating brand supplying the installer and end user customer segments, is due to open its tenth branch in West Bromwich in Q3 2022. Shanker Patel, CEO of Lords Group Trading plc, said: “As we complete our first twelve months trading on AIM, it is fantastic to reflect on the financial and operational progress that Lords has achieved.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44