Top 20 Builders' Merchants Chart - PBM April 2022

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PROFESSIONAL

BUILDERS MERCHANT

Top 20 countdown — 2022: PBM magazine presents the annual listing of the UK’s largest merchant businesses, based on turnover calculations for the full calendar year of 2021.

In association with

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PROFESSIONAL

BUILDERS

PROFESSIONAL

BUILDERS MERCHANT THE No.1 BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MERCHANTS

MERCHANT

JANUARY 2021

Merchant sector sales & confidence

TRANSPORT, HANDLING & STORAGE Improving efficiencies

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY e-commerce and remote support

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS Design trends

Fantasy Football Taking shape!

Plus: News, training, recruitment, acquisitions, industry comment and more.

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

TOP PRESENTS THE

20

PROFESSIONAL

BUILDERS MERCHANT THE No.1 BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MERCHANTS

MAY 2021

Merchant sector sales & confidence

TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES Developments in sealants, screws and power tools

BRICKS, BLOCKS & HARD LANDSCAPING Innovation and efficiencies

PAINTS & WOODCARE Colour trends in an RMI renaissance

Plus: News, showroom solutions, training, acquisitions, industry comment and more.

Fantasy Football The home straight See page 59

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

BUILDERS’ MERCHANTS CHART FOR 2022 (based on full calendar year turnover for 2021)

In association with

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PROFESSIONAL

PROFESSIONAL

PROFESSIONAL

BUILDERS

BUILDERS

BUILDERS

MERCHANT THE No.1 BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MERCHANTS

FEBRUARY 2021

MERCHANT THE No.1 BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MERCHANTS

MARCH 2021

MERCHANT THE No.1 BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MERCHANTS

APRIL 2021

TOP 20 MERCHANT CHART

REPAIR, MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENT

Benchmarking the sector’s largest businesses

Timber frame home extension kits

Merchant sector sales & confidence

Merchant sector sales & confidence

Innovation and investment

TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES Advances in power tools and accessories

Plus: News, supply chain issues, training, acquisitions, industry comment and more.

GARDENS & LANDSCAPING

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Merchant sector sales & confidence BRICKS, BLOCKS & HARD LANDSCAPING

Fantasy Football All up for grabs!

See page 51

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

Delivering with data

Outdoor living continues apace

DOORS, WINDOWS & SECURITY

DRAINAGE & WATER MANAGEMENT

Smarter solutions

WORKWEAR & EQUIPMENT Safety and sustainability

Plus: News, supply chain issues, training, acquisitions, industry comment and more.

Fantasy Football Tight at the top See page 51

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

Digging deep

PLUMBING & HEATING New product innovation

Fantasy Football Running away with it?

See page 51

Plus: News, supply chain issues, training, acquisitions, industry comment and more.

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

PROFESSIONAL

PROFESSIONAL

PROFESSIONAL

BUILDERS

BUILDERS

BUILDERS

MERCHANT THE No.1 BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MERCHANTS

JUNE 2021

MERCHANT THE No.1 BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MERCHANTS

JULY/AUGUST 2021

MERCHANT THE No.1 BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MERCHANTS

SEPTEMBER 2021

Merchant sector sales & confidence

Merchant sector sales & confidence

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY The drive for data

TIMBER & JOINERY

GARDENS & LANDSCAPING

Reputation, value & sales

It pays to display

ROOFING, FLOORING & INSULATION Levelling up agenda

PLASTER, DRY LINING & BUILDING BOARDS Indoor air quality

Plus: News, mental health support, training, acquisitions, industry comment and more.

Fantasy Football European dreams See page 59

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

PLUMBING & HEATING The future for low carbon heating

TRANSPORT, HANDLING & STORAGE On the road again

Fantasy Football We go again!

See page 67

Plus: News, selling electrical, training, acquisitions, industry comment and more.

BRICKS, BLOCKS & HARD LANDSCAPING The path to sustainability

TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES Power tool innovation

Fantasy Football Back of the net!

See page 67

Plus: News, driver shortages, the return of live events, acquisitions, industry comment and more.

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

PROFESSIONAL

PROFESSIONAL

PROFESSIONAL

BUILDERS

BUILDERS

BUILDERS

MERCHANT THE No.1 BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MERCHANTS

OCTOBER 2021

MERCHANT THE No.1 BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MERCHANTS

Merchant sector sales & confidence

NOVEMBER 2021

MERCHANT THE No.1 BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR MERCHANTS

DECEMBER 2021

Merchant sector sales & confidence

Merchant sector sales & confidence

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS Design trends and ‘hybrid selling’

MERCHANT FOCUS

TIMBER & JOINERY

IBMG expands with Grant & Stone acquisition

Sustainability and supply chain issues

DOORS, WINDOWS & SECURITY

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Roof windows, hardware and smart security solutions

DRAINAGE & WATER MANAGEMENT Focus on sustainability

Plus: News, driver shortages, the road to net zero, acquisitions, industry comment and more.

Fantasy Football That’s numberwang!

See page 67

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

The importance of digital integration

TOOLS, FIXINGS & ADHESIVES Specialist tools for the mass market

Plus: News, BMF Conference Preview, professional development, industry comment and more.

Fantasy Football Squad game See page 51

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

PLUMBING & HEATING Industry reactions to the Heat and Buildings strategy

BMF CONFERENCE 2021 Key takeaways from the ‘All Industry’ event

Plus: News, market analysis, professional development, industry comment and more.

Fantasy Football See page 51

www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

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TRAVIS PERKINS PLC

60% H 40% L

SAINT-GOBAIN BUILDING DISTRIBUTION UK

NB: Numbers for continuing operations only (ie: excluding Wickes and the former P&H division, sold in 2021)

WOLSELEY UK Heavyside/ lightside split unavailable

78% H 22% L

HIGHBOURNE GROUP

GRAFTON UK DISTRIBUTION

100% L

Heavyside/ lightside split unavailable

NB: The estimate used here is for continuing operations following the sale of Graham on 31.7.21

NB: Numbers exclude the GB ‘traditional merchanting business’, divested on 31.12.21

Key Brands Travis Perkins Keyline

Key Brands

BSS

Jewson

Toolstation

Gibbs & Dandy

Key Brands Wolseley Plumb & Parts

JP Corry

William Wilson Burdens

Key Brands

Key Brands

City Plumbing

Selco

PTS

Leyland SDM MacBlair TG Lynes

£4.59bn

£2bn e

£1.763bn

£1,000m e

£821.9m

1,390 branches

c750

542 branches

356 branches

123 branches

2020 £1,069 352 branches

2020 £630.9m 111 branches

branches

(Figures show year end 31/7/2021)

2020 £3.7bn 1,306 branches

2020 £2.25bn c1,000 branches

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Previous year £1.489bn 542 branches

■

■

■

1

2

3

4

5

CEO: Nick Roberts

CE0: Mike Newnham

CEO: Simon Oakland

CE0: Dave Evans

CE0: Gavin Slark

www.travisperkinsplc.co.uk

www.saint-gobain.co.uk

www.wolseley.co.uk

www.cityplumbing.co.uk

www.graftonplc.com

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Kerridge Commercial Systems provides specialist ERP, Business Management Software, Services and Support to Merchants, Distributors, Wholesalers and Retailers. Our fully integrated cloud-based software includes modules that support improved stock control, warehouse management, sales order processing, accounting, delivery management and much more.

MKM

80% H 20% L

For more information please contact:

Tel: 01488 662000 Email: hello@kerridgecs.com Web: www.kerridgecs.com

UK PLUMBING SUPPLIES

100% L NB: The estimated figure includes the purchase of a majority of Graham from Saint-Gobain, completed on 31.7.21

INDEPENDENT BUILDERS MERCHANT GROUP

Key Brands

77% H 23% L

Graham Plumbase HPS Plumbstop Plumbcity Willbond

Key Brands Grant & Stone Parkers

HUWS GRAY

80% H 20% L NB: Figs do NOT include the approx. £520m + c.

200 branches for the purchase of Grafton’s ‘GB merchanting business’, completed 31.12.21. The combined turnover would place Huws Gray in 4th

Key Brands

RGB

Huws Gray Ridgeons Buildbase PDM Buildbase Civils & Lintels

Chandlers

LORDS GROUP TRADING

35% H 65% L

Key Brands Hevey BS George Lines APP Wholesale

£700m

£570m e

£532m

£496m

£365m

93 branches

c340

137 branches

118 branches

34 branches

2020 £495m 79 branches

■■■

branches 2020 c£450m c260

branches

■■

(+28 showrooms)

2020 £433m 134 branches

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UK Plumbing Supplies

6

7

2020 £373m 105 branches

■■

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HUWS

8

2020 £287m 29 branches

GRAY

9 10

Directors: David Kilburn, Kate Tinsley, Neil Croxson

Directors: Angus Falconer, Douglas Christie, Steve Wimbledon

CEO: Nick House Group MD: Peter Cudd Chair: David Moore

CEO: Ian Northen Chair: Terry Owen

www.mkmbs.co.uk

N/A

www.independentbm.com

www.huwsgray.co.uk

CEO: Shanker Patel CFO: Chris Day www.lordsgrouptrading.co.uk

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2021 declared / estimated turnover

KEY

UK merchant operation numbers only, where possible. If full 2021 calendar year figures were not available, the most recent information has been used, as noted.

ESTIMATED HEAVYSIDE / LIGHTSIDE SPLIT IS INDICATED WHERE POSSIBLE. HEAVYSIDE FIGURES INCLUDE TIMBER (WHERE APPLICABLE) LIGHTSIDE FIGURES INCLUDE SHOWROOMS, TOOLS, HIRE SERVICES AND ELECTRICAL (WHERE APPLICABLE)

e = PBM estimate on turnover / branches Source: Figures are compiled via information supplied by a merchant company, latest published account data and PBM estimates. Every effort is made to ensure the data presented is accurate but PBM cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions.

INDUSTRY AFFILIATIONS BMF ■ NMBS ■ PHG ■ NBG ■ FORTIS ■ H+B ■ Note: not to scale

Published in PBM magazine April 2022

NATIONAL TIMBER GROUP Heavyside/ lightside split unavailable

BRADFORDS

80% H 20% L

Key Brands

Key Brands

Arnold Laver

Bradfords Building Supplies

NYT Rembrand Thornbridge

YPS Plumbing Supplies

HALDANE GROUP Heavyside/ lightside split unavailable

LAWSONS

99% H 1% L

Key Brands

Key Brands

Haldane Fisher

Lawsons

Plumbmaster GE Robinson

AVS Fencing Supplies

EH SMITH

99% H 1% L

Orchard Timber

£300m e

£204m

£181m

£180m

£155.9m

c60

branches

45 branches

21 branches

31 branches

12 branches

2020 approx £208m 56 branches

2020 £156m 46 branches

2020 £132m 20 branches

2020 £129.1m 29 branches

2020 £121.1m 10 branches

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11 12 13 14 15 Group CEO: Rob Barclay www.nationaltimbergroup.com

Group CEO: David Young www.bradfords.co.uk

Directors: Ian Haldane David Haldane Neal Boomer

Joint MDs: Paul Rushent, Jeremy Norris Chair: Simon Lawson

MD: Mark Setchell Chair: John Parker

www.haldane-group.com

www.lawsons.co.uk

www.ehsmith.co.uk

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PROFESSIONAL

BUILDERS MERCHANT Top 20 merchants — 2022: The UK’s largest merchant businesses, based on turnover data for the 2021 calendar year

HOWARTH TIMBER & BUILDING SUPPLIES

JT ATKINSON

WILLIAMS & CO

75% H 25% L

100% L

£139m

£124.5m

34 branches 2020 £107m 33 branches

SYDENHAMS

100% L

69% H 31% L

£119m

£112.3m

£104m

35 branches

43 branches

67 branches

32 branches

2020 £98.9m 30 branches

2020 £93.7m 39 branches

2020 £89.4m 65 branches

2020 £79.65m 30 branches

Heavyside/ lightside split unavailable

■■■

JAMES HARGREAVES

■■■

■■

■■■

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16 17 18 19 20 Joint MDs: Nicholas Howarth Andrew Howarth

MD: Jamie Atkinson Chair: Edwin Atkinson

CEO / MD: Ray Stafford

MD: Gordon Rothwell

MD: Lee Wright Joint Chairs: Charles & James Sherborne

www.howarth-timber.co.uk

www.jtatkinson.co.uk

www.tradeonlyplumbing.co.uk

www.jameshargreaves.com

www.sydenhams.co.uk

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2022 Top 20: PBM outlines the details behind the performance of the UK merchant sector’s largest businesses during 2021.

A dramatic recovery from the worst ravages of the pandemic is starkly highlighted by the universal increase in turnover (and profit margins) presented by the sector’s largest merchant firms, as sustained customer demand kept the tills ringing despite the ongoing challenges of Covid, supply chain issues and material price rises.

However, perhaps the biggest headline news remains the seismic shake-up caused by an array of mergers and acquisitions over the last twelve months. Indeed, the ‘realignment’ of the market has continued in the early months of 2022 (and therefore outside of our reporting period) with the confirmation, for example, of Saint-Gobain Building Distribution UK’s sale of its remaining specialist plumbing & heating businesses Neville Lumb, DHS, Bassetts and Ideal Bathrooms to Wolseley UK. Looking back to the 2021 performances of our market leaders, Travis Perkins plc continues to lead the way. Indicative of the changes hinted at above, the business confirmed the demerger of Wickes in April and completed the sale of its Plumbing & Heating business to the Highbourne Group in May. As its new, strategic direction takes hold, the Group reported like-for-like revenue growth of 25.4% (14.4% ahead of 2019 for continuing operations) driven by an “enhanced customer proposition and robust recovery in key market segments.” Once again, the figures we share include those for Toolstation.

Saint-Gobain Building Distribution UK maintains second place, with the business fully focused on its builders’ merchant brands such as Jewson and Gibbs & Dandy moving forward. In third, Wolseley UK’s sale from Ferguson plc to private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice was completed in January 2021. In addition to the business listed previously, the company also acquired around 30 Graham branches from SGBD, with the transaction completed in September.

Our first ‘new entry’ is the aforementioned Highbourne Group, now home of the former TP P&H brands such as City Plumbing. Four new branches were opened in 2021, along with the rebranding of five PTS depots. Big plans are said to be in place for 2022, with 25 new sites set to be opened.

It was a “transformational year” for the Grafton Group, with the fifth-placed business presenting figures for its continuing operations following the sale of its ‘Traditional Merchanting’ business in Great Britain to Huws Gray. Three new Selco depots opened last year, taking the total to 72 and maintaining progress towards a stated target of 100 by 2026.

Similarly, MKM continued its successful strategy for growth, with a host of new sites opened in 2021 and plans in place for an additional 15-20 locations in 2022.

Around 73 Graham branches along with its ecommerce site were sold to UK Plumbing Supplies last year, but where do we even start to summarise the

activity at the Independent Builders Merchants Group?

CRS, Build it, Total Plumbing Supplies, RGB and Devondale Electrical were added in early 2021 whilst during the summer, Grant & Stone merged with Parkers, Chandlers, Fairalls and Stamco to create an enlarged IBMG “spanning Kent to Cornwall”. Three more businesses were acquired in October.

Appearing in 9th place this year, Huws Gray will certainly be much higher up the rankings in 12 months following the purchase of Buildbase, PDM Buildbase in Scotland and Civils & Lintels et al from Grafton. The c. £520m transaction completed on 31st December and effectively doubles Huws Gray in size — and a combined turnover in excess of £1bn would have secured 4th spot this time around…

Completing our ‘Top 10’, Lords Group Trading “remains committed to sustainable growth through a combination of organic and acquisitive growth”. In July, the business completed a successful and oversubscribed IPO for admission to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

We are extremely grateful for the support of the sector in compiling this industry barometer. More details on each of our submissions for the full ‘Top 20’ (and those who narrowly missed the cut…) will be available on our website: www.professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk

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For more information, call 01488 662000, email hello@kerridgecs.com or visit www.kerridgecs.com

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