THE MONTH


Travis Perkins restructures reporting as sales push past £6bn


Travis Perkins saw its 2018 sales rise to £6,741m, an increase of 4.8% against a market backdrop of considerable uncertainty. The Group also announced a


restructuring to remove the exist- ing divisional structure above the Merchanting businesses. From 2019, brnds will fall into the fol- lowing categeories: Merchanting, Toolstation, Retail and Plumbing & Heating, currently earmarked for disposal. There will be no chief operating officer role: as a result, Tony Buffin has stepped down. Merchanting includes the brands Travis Perkins, Keyline, CCF, BSS and Benchmarx. Retail business are Wickes and Tile Giant, Plumbing and Heating encompasses PTS, City Plumbing


Supplies, F & P Wholesale and specialist online businesses the Underfloor Heating Store, Direct Heating Spares and National Shower Spares. Toolstation will become a stand-alone division. Sales improved in General


Merchanting, to £2,137m, while both the Contracts businesses and Toolstation outperformed their end markets. The Plumbing & Heating division, which was put up for sale at the end of 2018, saw significant sales growth to £1,528m, plus an increase in market share.


Keyline continues to relocate and consolidate branches into lower cost sites. In 2018, eight branches were closed (includ- ing one transferred to the Travis


Bradfords welcomes local MP to Glastonbury


James Heappey, the MP for Wells visited the Glastonbury branch of Bradfords Building Supplies, the country’s oldest builders’ mer- chant, to learn how the company is responding to today’s low carbon challenge.


After visiting the 1.5acre site, Heappey said: “I was delighted to visit Bradfords in Glastonbury and see for myself their contribution to the town and the Somerset economy. I wish Bradfords contin-


ued success as they approach their 250th year.” David Young, managing


director of Bradfords Building Supplies said “We were delighted to welcome James Heappey and show him how Bradfords has evolved over two centuries. “It is great to have our MP take an interest in local firms like ours, and offering his insight and support. I hope that James can help raise the profile of builders


merchants with his fellow MPs”. The visit was another arranged by the BMF as part of its Indus- try and Parliament programme. The aim is to outline to MPs the role, value and importance of merchants in delivering for their communities.


Kent Blaxill confers Supplier of the Year on Rodo


January saw independent merchant Kent Blaxill hold its annual conference in Cambridge. Presentations were made to 4 award winners: Sam Pitcher, Kent Blaxill branch manager at Fakenham who won the Branch of the Year award. Andy


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Tanner won Builders’ Merchant Salesman and Colin Baxter won the Decorative Salesman award. Trade professional painting and decorating accessories supplier, Rodo Limited, won the Supplier of the Year award for their initiatives and product promotions.


Perkins brand), with two new, low cost branches opened. Chief executive officer John Carter said: “Whilst we remain positive about the long-term outlook for our end markets, we are planning for uncertain market conditions to continue in the near term. The Group remains focused on self-help actions to underpin performance in the near term, whilst continuing to invest for the future.”


MP praises Browns’ expansion


The number of small firms involved must increase if the drive to build more homes in the East Midlands is to succeed. That was the message from Browns Builders Merchants to Chris Williamson MP when he visited Derby’s oldest building materials’ business on the West Meadows Industrial Estate. Williamson was welcomed by Jim Parlato, Browns’ Director, to see how Browns has invested in the business to open a second branch. The relocation of their heavyside operation to new premises means Browns has improved its Old Nottingham Road branch to expand the range of plumbing and heating, bathrooms, and fencing and landscape products.


Official figures show the East Midlands has relied on changes of use in existing buildings to increase housing. Derby and Nottingham are cities where between 30% and 55% of new homes last year were in buildings that had a previous purpose. According to Parlato, encouraging SMEs into the market to build small projects, in many locations, is vital to boost housing numbers.


He said: “We were pleased to welcome Chris Williamson and show him how Browns has evolved over 150 years. We have chosen to invest and expand our business by opening a second branch to give better service to our customers. It is great to have our MP take an interest in Browns.”


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net March 2019


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