Ironmongery Direct profits jump 37%

IronmongeryDirect has had positive year-end results for 2012, which saw turnover hitting £18.1million, up 22% on 2011. Profit has also risen to £1.7million, a 37% increase on 2011.

IronmongeryDirect's managing director, Wayne Lysaght-Mason said: “We are pleased that despite tough times in the industry we have managed our eighth consecutive year of strong growth. It really goes to show just how important it is to understand our customers and continue to adapt to their needs.”

In 2012 the company improved many areas of its offering including introducing free returns, extending the Sunday order cut-off to 3.30pm for Monday delivery, and increasing the range with over 2,000 new products. The company recognised the increasing trend for tradesmen accessing its website via mobile devices and launched a mobile website, which contributed to a 29% increase in online turnover.

These new service offerings, together with a 7.30pm cut-off for next day delivery, are helping IronmongeryDirect to develop and keep a loyal customer base. In addition IronmongeryDirect recruits over one thousand new customers each week. Mr Lysaght-Mason added: “More than 76% of our customers tell us they come back because of our next day delivery; therefore maintaining our service level again and again is key to our success.”

Over the last two years the company has invested more than £2million in its infrastructure to support future growth and have already started to see strong efficiencies come through from the investment, in both the new distribution centre and business management system.

Mr Lysaght-Mason said: "Having established IronmongeryDirect as the UK's largest specialist distributor of ironmongery for the trade, we will continue to drive growth throughout 2013 and beyond. Whilst we expect the market to remain relatively flat, we are confident that our plans to further enhance our customer proposition will see us continue to expand our share of the market and grow IronmongeryDirect into a £50m+ turnover business.”

Source : Builders’ Merchants News
www.buildersmerchantsnews.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/7207/IronmongeryDirect_continues_to_soar.html