International builders merchanting and DIY Group Grafton recorded revenue growth of 8.6% to £1.45 billion in H1 2018 (2017 H1: £1.33 billion).
Like-for-like group revenue rose 3.8% in the period, covering 1 January to 30 June 2018.
Further Selco branch openings and the hot and dry May and June made up for a very cold March and April, with the weather proving a major factor in performance.
Grafton CEO Gavin Slark explained: “We were pleased with the Group’s performance in the first half though the trading pattern was heavily influenced by the weather. The very cold conditions experienced in March and April have been followed by a hot and dry May and June which has benefited a number of businesses, particularly Woodie’s.
“In the UK, the Group’s growth has been influenced by the Selco store opening programme and the acquisition of Leyland SDM in February, where we are pleased with progress to date. Our businesses in Ireland and the Netherlands continue to perform well. We enter the second half well placed to deliver our expectations for the financial year.”
Grafton trades from circa 675 branches and has over 12,500 employees. Its portfolio of brands include Selco, Buildbase, Plumbase, Leyland SDM, MacBlair and CPI EuroMix in the UK; Chadwicks, Heiton Buckley and Woodie’s in Ireland; Isero and Gunters en Meuser in the Netherlands and YouBuild and MPRO in Belgium.