France
Wolseley has three types of businesses in France: plumbing and heating, building materials, and timber import and solutions.
Our French plumbing and heating distribution business, with Brossette as the main brand, is based in Lyon and distributes plumbing and heating equipment together with underground drainage products and pipes, valves and fittings to professional contractors and public authorities in France. As at 31 July 2009, this business had one national and seven regional distribution centres and 403 branches.
Our French Heavyside business, with Reseau Pro as main brand, based in La Defense (near Paris) and Pacé (near Rennes) operate in the distribution of building materials and timber and timber products. As at 31 July 2009, this business has one national and five regional distribution centres and 349 branches.
Our Import and Timber Solutions business, with Silverwood as main brand, that builds on the company's traditional strengths in wood and panel import and reselling but also reaches out into new, more customer-facing markets. This business incorporates four activities: softwood, hardwood, structural (manufactures trusses) and environmental products for gardens, such as wooden decking. As at 31 July 2009, this business had 24 branches.
Nordic region
Our operations in the Nordic region comprise the DT Group which was acquired by Wolseley in 2006 and operates in Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway; and the Woodcote businesses which operate in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. Together, as at 31 July 2009, these business had 295 branches.
A substantial element of the Nordic revenue in the six months ended 31 January 2009 came from the builders’ merchant businesses: Stark in Denmark, Starkki in Finland, Beijer in Sweden and Neumann Bygg in Norway. The operations in the Nordic region also consist of DIY retail stores: Silvan primarily in Denmark, and Cheapy in Sweden.
With effect from 1 August 2008, the Woodcote business (which operates in Eastern Europe and was previously part of Central and Eastern Europe segment) is managed and reported through the Nordic region, as its product lines and customer profiles are similar.
Central and Eastern Europe
The principal operations in our central and eastern european segment comprises the Group’s plumbing and heating businesses in Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Italy. There are smaller operations in Luxemburg and Denmark.
More information about Our Nordic and French businesses.