Working at Wolseley
Building a career with a world leader
In 2007 we had over £16 billion in sales and a trading profit of £877 million. On average, we have doubled in size every five to seven years over the past two decades.
Not surprisingly, we have a constant need for bright, enthusiastic people to help us maintain that track record.
We're present in 20 countries across Europe, in addition to our operations in the US and Canada. As we grow, we will continue to extend our geographical reach. Clearly, we need people who can communicate and operate effectively with a variety of customers in a range of business environments.
Our history
Founded in Australia in 1887 as the Wolseley Sheep Shearing Machine Company Limited, the history of Wolseley is one of growth and change. Through the following decades, Wolseley was involved in the motor industry as well as agricultural equipment before shifting into the heating and plumbing sector in the 1960s.
In the 1990s, the Group moved into Europe and continued to expand in North America. In 2001, Wolseley finally exited the manufacturing industry and is now totally focused on distribution.
Our strategy
We focus on five key areas to ensure continued success.
- Developing our people in the organisation through Leadership Development
- Sourcing by finding the right products at the right price
- Focus on Supply Chain to improve product availability and delivery to our customers
- Growth through acquisitions and organically
- Business Improvement initiatives for an effective and streamlined organisation
Wolseley and the Environment
We are committed to sound corporate social responsibility. Wolseley believes that implementing and developing its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies is integral to its operations. We are committed to CSR as a sustainable approach to business that benefits all stakeholders: customers, employees, shareholders as well as communities in general.
Wolseley and the community
A member of Business in the Community in the UK, we recognise our responsibility to support the communities in which our businesses operate and to act as a good corporate citizen. We are involved in a wide range of initiatives for the benefit of local communities.
For example, Wolseley UK is supporting British Gymnastics, the UK national governing body for the sport, as part of the FTSE-British Olympic Association initiative. As the UK builds up to hosting the Olympic Games in 2012, the initiative aims to link companies with sports’ governing bodies to help improve the effectiveness of their business delivery and performance. In 2007, UK employees also raised £400,000 for the children’s charity NCH by undertaking a Grand Trek.
Our North American businesses continue to support Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organisation that seeks to eliminate substandard housing and homelessness. As part of this programme, in excess of $2 million in cash and goods in kind has been contributed across North America. Branches throughout the continent make donations of materials for every Habitat house built. This is expected to benefit up to 5,000 houses in 2007/8.
Ferguson in the USA actively promotes the education and development of young people in Newport News, where Ferguson’s head office is based. Involvement with organisations such as the Boy Scouts of America, the Boys & Girls Club, Achievable Dream, Preschool Partners and the Rita Welsh Adult Literacy Program emphasise the company’s commitment to the development of future community leaders.
Silvan, one of DT Group’s subsidiaries in Denmark, has embarked on a programme to encourage the employment of people aged over 50 and receiving unemployment or disability benefit. The programme offers flexible working hours, practical training with hands-on experience in one of Silvan’s stores, personal coaching and mentoring. The aim is to help over 70 per cent of participants obtain paid employment at the end of the programme.
We also make donations to a number of charities relevant to the countries and locations in which we operate.
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