Good weather in the final two months of 2011 and a big emphasis on the residential repair, maintenance and improvement market helped Grafton Group plc increase its UK turnover by 4.5% in 2011.
The Ireland-based merchanting giant, whose UK business makes up 70% of group turnover, saw UK sales increase by 7% in November and December.
“Trading conditions in the Group’s markets were difficult during 2011 but there was a firmer tone to turnover in the final two months of the year which benefited from more favourable weather conditions compared to the same period in 2010,” said Grafton in a trading statement.
UK businesses include the 133-branch Buildbase chain, Jacksons Building Centres (28 outlets), Selco (28 sites), and leading Northern Ireland builders merchant Macnaughton Blair, which has 20 branches.
Annual turnover in the Irish business fell 6.4%.
Group turnover was up €50m to €2.05bn, while operating profit is expected to be at the upper end of expectations of €52-55m.
Restructuring and cost reduction measures during 2011 are estimated at about €13m, leading to a benefit of €6m in 2012.
