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Wolseley operates in six geographic regions – the United States, Canada, the Nordic region, the United Kingdom, Central Europe and France.

The financial results in this section relate to ongoing businesses only.

UK (ongoing)

4 of 6
  • UK portfolio focused on its core strong businesses with market leading positions
  • Investment in organic growth initiatives, including substantial investments in an online B2B platform and in a new B2C platform www.tapoutlet.co.uk

1,670£m
Revenue (14% of Group)

92£m
Trading profit

5.5%
Trading margin

5 
Business units

919 
Branches

5,913 
Employees

Key brands

Plumb Center logo Wilson logo Wilson logo
Parts Center logo Drain Center logo

5-year performance £m

Graphic: UK Five year performance bar chart: Revenue: 2008: 3,203, 2009: 2699, 2010: 2,466, 2011: 2,404, 2012: 1,670. Trading profit: 2008: 176, 2009: 55, 2010: 91, 2011: 109, 2012: 92

Quarterly like-for-like revenue growth

Graphic: Quarterly like-for-like bar chart

Regional KPIs

  2012 2011 +/-
Like-for-like revenue growth (0.8%) +3.0%  
Trading margin 5.5% 5.3% +0.2%

 

Competitive environment

The UK market is more consolidated than many of the other markets in which the Group operates, with a few large national players. Significant competition is provided by numerous small local businesses.

Plumb Center and Parts Center have historically been market leaders in the UK plumbing and heating distribution market. However, the recent merger of two businesses has created a competitor of a similar size.

Revenue by market sector

Graphic: UK revenue by market driver pie chart: Residential new construction: 9%, Residential RMI: 58%, Non-residential new construction: 17%, Non-residential RMI: 14%, Civil infrastructure: 2%

Business unit portfolio and profile

The UK is focussed on its core, strong businesses with market leading positions in plumbing and heating and adjacent businesses.

The majority of the UK’s revenue is generated from the RMI (Repair, Maintenance, Improvement) market with the public sector accounting for around 35 per cent of revenue.

 

  • Plumb Center and Parts Center

    Plumb Center and Parts Center is a leading distributor of plumbing and heating products. The business operates through a national branch network and can deliver superior fill rates and a wide range of products through its distribution centres. The business also supplies a wide range of spares and replacements. Efficiencies arise from purchasing volumes, from opportunities to cross-sell and from shared sites.

    The business has delivered a strong financial performance in a tough trading environment and continues to look for opportunities to improve customer service and grow revenue.

    1 
    Market position

    73%
    contribution to 2011/12 revenue

  • Pipe Center and Climate Center

    Pipe Center and Climate Center distributes pipes, valves, fittings, air conditioning and refrigeration products. The business has a sound track record of profitability, and volumes are driven by non-residential new build projects.

    2 
    Market position

    17%
    contribution to 2011/12 revenue

  • Other business units

    The other UK business units include:

    • Drain Center, a specialist in above and below ground drainage.
    • Integrated Services offers outsourced inventory management and procurement services for maintenance activities on a long-term contract basis, mainly to public institutions such as housing associations.
    • B2C, an online business to consumer platform, through the website www.tapoutlet.co.uk.

    10%
    Other contribution to 2011/12 revenue.

  • Disposals

    Disposals in the year ended 31 July 2012 include Build Center and Bathstore.

    12%
    Disposals contribution to 2011/12 revenue

Regional profile PDF

Download the latest UK profile

 
 

Figures are for the year ended 31 July 2012