Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Builders and plumbers merchant chain Travis Perkins plc is to create 4,000 new jobs and open 400 branches over the next four years.
The decision will see the company invest £150 – £200 million per annum over the next four years, with plans to open branches across Travis Perkins, Wickes, Toolstation, Benchmarx and in its plumbing & heating and contracts divisions.
These new branches will be supported by distribution facilities to be opened or extended in Warrington, Leeds, Northampton, Coventry, Cardiff and Tilbury.
From the 4,000 jobs created, the majority of which will be outside London and the South East, 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 created 1,500 jobs in the last year.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, visited the site of Travis Perkins under construction South East distribution centre in Tilbury to welcome the announcement made yesterday (19 March).
John Carter, Travis Perkins plc’s chief executive, said: “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.”
He added: “We are making significant investments to improve our customer proposition and in our supply chain to offer superior ranges, availability and value propositions.”
In his latest Budget, George Osborne announced a new Help to Buy ISA for first time buyers to help them save for their first home and added the government is “committed to providing continued support to the construction sector”.
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.”
