TR trading update: Growth across all regions & acquisition search continues
Trifast (TR) has seen organic revenue growth, inventory capacity growth in Italy and Singapore, and profit before tax ahead of expectations, according to its trading update, issued ahead of its official financial year publication in June. TR saw good growth across a number of key markets, particularly in the automotive sector with double digit growth in […]
NMBS Exhibition celebrates half century with another record breaker
The 50th edition of NMBS’ Exhibition broke previous records for exhibitor numbers and attendees. Over 1,000 NMBS members visited the show, with ran 11 April, with 280 NMBS suppliers exhibiting across 360 stands in the main exhibition hall and the Ricoh Arena’s foyer. NMBS said it is still processing orders, but expects the value of […]
ANALYSIS: How did the UK fastener market perform in 2017?
New research into the financial performance of the UK fasteners and fixings sector has revealed how the industry’s top companies have performed throughout 2017. Market analysts Plimsoll Publishing Ltd has assessed the UK’s leading 960 industries, ranging from abattoirs to yarn suppliers, and ranked each sector on its sales and profit performance, productivity and risk factor. Plimsoll has also compared the fasteners […]
Francis Kirk plans to double warehousing in 150th anniversary year
Francis Kirk Group is investing in its worldwide supply and distribution hub in Denton with a new warehouse on the site. The fifth-generation family engineering and fastener business – which celebrates 150 years this year – is building a second 30,000 sq ft warehouse which will more than double its stock capacity. It will sit […]
NMBS has another record year with £1.7 billion turnover
In 2017, NMBS once again enjoyed a record year with a turnover increase of 11% to £1.7 billion. NMBS chairman, Tim Allen, delivered the statistics at the annual Gala Dinner, adding that the buying society paid out more in rebate and discounts than ever before, with merchant members enjoying reimbursements and savings to the tune of […]
Kingfisher grows, but Screwfix and B&Q record softer sales in Q4
Sales rose 3.8% for Kingfisher – owner of B&Q, Screwfix, Brico Dépôt & Castorama – in its 2017/2018 financial year. Sales hit £11,655 million, up from £11,225m. Screwfix Screwfix performed well over the course of the year, although sales softened in Q4 for the reliable brand. Over the year, sales increased 16.7% (10.1% l-f-l) driven […]
International Hardware Fair Cologne 2018: The stats are in…
More visitors were packed into the halls of this year’s Eisenwarenmesse – International Hardware Fair in Cologne, according to the official stats from the organiser. The show, which concluded on Wednesday (7th March), saw trade visitor numbers rise 9% to over 47,000. Cologne welcomed show attendees from 143 countries (19 more than in 2016) and […]
Rapierstar growth sees deliveries up 12% in last 12 months
Window and door fastener specialist Rapierstar has recorded a strong 2017 in the UK and Irish market with the number of its customer deliveries increasing by 12% during the year, which resulted in year-on-year sales growth of 10%. According to the firm, nearly four out of five fabricators in the door and window market choose […]
Timber & joinery and tools sales grew for Builders Merchants in 2017
Builders Merchants sales grew 4.8% in value over 2017, with gains made in the tools and timber & joinery categories. The growth was revealed by the BMF’s Builders Merchants Building Index (BMBI), which attributed the uplift to strength in private housebuilding and domestic repair, maintenance and improvement. Annually, timber & joinery – the largest product group – […]
BHETA comment: Work in progress for the tools market
BHETA Home Enhancement Director Paul Grinsell debates the pros and cons of two different approaches to the tools market… It’s a new year and Cologne is in sight, so what are the prospects for 2018/19? One of the many things BHETA is very good at is providing its members with market intelligence and the sort of credible up to […]