Travis to open 400 new branches by 2019

Today Travis Perkins plc, the UK’s largest distributor of building materials to trade and retail customers, announces the creation of 4,000 new jobs, supporting 400 new branches across the country over the next 4 years.

 John Carter, Travis Perkins plc’s Chief Executive, commented: “Travis Perkins’ ability to create 4,000 new jobs reflects confidence in our businesses, the markets we operate in and the UK economy as whole. This confidence is supported by a number of actions taken by the Government over the past two years, including the new Help to Buy ISA announced yesterday, that are continuing to support construction activity and improvements in consumer confidence. We are making significant investments to improve our customer proposition and in our supply chain to offer superior ranges, availability and value propositions.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne said: “Our long term economic plan is all about backing successful British businesses like Travis Perkins. Their decision to create 4,000 new jobs and make significant investments is a vote of confidence in the UK.

The Government is committed to providing continued support to the construction sector which is why in the Budget I announced a new Help to Buy ISA for first time buyers to help them save for their first home.”

The Help to Buy schemes have enabled first-time buyers to take that important first step, whilst recent reforms to Stamp Duty have benefitted the vast majority of home buyers. These initiatives have been supported by important reforms to the financial services industry to ensure stability and sustainable growth to mortgage lending. Combined with lower unemployment and increasing real wages, house affordability is improving. This in turn has aided a significant improvement in consumer confidence, which is now back to pre-recession levels.

These measures have provided stimulus to the overall housing market across the country and the ability for people to invest in improving their homes, which we believe to be at a sustainable level to invest in a number of programmes. Over the next four years we see compelling opportunities to open more than 400 new branches in all parts of the country. These new branches will be supported by distribution facilities to be opened or extended in Warrington, Leeds, Northampton, Coventry, Cardiff and Tilbury.

This capital investment programme of £150-200 million a year will also see the creation of 4,000 new jobs, the majority of which will be outside London and the South East. Travis Perkins currently employs more than 24,000 people in the UK. From the 4,000 jobs created, which equates to nearly three jobs a day, there  will be a mix of 170 apprenticeships for younger people starting out every year, 200 branch managers and assistant managers a year, skilled IT professionals and supply chain specialists to name a few. Travis Perkins has already created 1,500 jobs in the last year.

Travis Perkins has almost 2,000 branches across the UK and 2014 revenues of £5.6bn. It has a network expansion programme including new branch and store openings with implants intensifying space. It operates in fragmented markets and plans to open branches across Travis Perkins, Wickes, Toolstation, Benchmarx and in its Plumbing & Heating and Contracts divisions.

Key facts of today’s announcement

• 4,000 new jobs to be created over next four years with majority outside London and the South East
• 170 apprenticeships per annum
• 200 managerial positions per annum
• 1,500 jobs created over past 12 months
• Capital investment of £150-200 million per annum in all parts of the UK

Source: Travis Perkins Press Release.

Read the original press release here.