Britain’s oldest merchant, Bradfords Building Supplies, has unveiled its focus on building Bradfords to become the favorite building materials partner in the South West.
David Young, recently promoted to CEO of the group, is leading the reinvestment in the core business following the sale of Snows timber in March and Crendon last Spring.
The group will now focus on the builders’ merchant and is due to report the highest profits in its core business for the last six years.
The boards investment in Bradfords will focus on the long-term plan of increasing its branch operation in the South West from 43 branches to 60. The company has recently acquired Penzance based Solo Building Supplies and is currently re-locating its Sherborne Branch in Dorset to a purpose-built site that will create a ‘branch of the future’.
Bradfords will also be kicking off its 250th year with a new branch in Helston, Cornwall which is due to open in January 2020. Whilst continuing to invest in updating the existing branch network and renewing the vehicle fleet.
Bradfords is diversifying its customer base developing links with larger regional housebuilders and housing associations, whilst continuing to build on relationships with local trades. Each Bradfords branch operates locally, with the branch manager ensuring customers know the support they can get from Bradfords. Young has a team of very experienced managers, some steeped in history from within Bradfords, others recruited from other builders merchants and from outside the industry.
Innovation is key to any business and Bradfords have invested heavily in new technology to improve the branch experience for its customers. This includes a new trade website allowing customers to access our services and products 24/7.
Young, who has been MD for the last 5 years and has over 20 years’ experience in the merchant sector, is driving the strategy with Bradfords new chairman, George Adams. Adams has a wealth of experience in the sector for the Kingfisher Group and was Chairman of Screwfix when it opened its first branches in 2005-8.
He said: ‘We are committed to ensuring Bradfords as the most trusted partner of choice in building materials in the South West. We are expanding our network, refurbishing our branches and renewing our fleet. With our experienced team we will take Bradfords into its next phase of development.’
