Independent merchant Heating Plumbing Supplies (HPS) has continued its recent run of success, with year-end 2013 sales up 17% at £47.4m, up from just over £40m in 2012.

At older, more established branches, sales were up 11%, while the company was also awarded Heating & Plumbing Merchant of the Year at the 2013 Builders’ Merchants Awards for Excellence ceremony in London in November.

HPS now has 29 branches across London and the South of England, and plans to open two new branches during 2014, with the hope that this will enable the company’s turnover to exceed £50m for the first time.

HPS has also continued to raise its fundraising for Great Ormond Street Hospital, raising £53,889.23 in 2013. This, the company said, brings the total amount HPS has raised for the children’s hospital to an amazing £239,632.11.