UK Volume 22

uk.superbrands.com Superbrands UK Vol.22 Selco Builders Warehouse is the UK’s fastest growing builders’ merchant and supplier of choice for the jobbing builder. With ambitious plans to increase market share in the Repair, Maintenance and Improvement (RMI) sector, Selco is committed to a sustainable operating future and continues to go from strength to strength Market The UK builders merchant industry in general has faced a mixed period over the last 12 months. While sector performance has largely remained resilient, there have been testing periods as a result of – most notably – Brexit and, of course, the pandemic. Selco, however, has been able to continue the strong progression it has seen over the last decade and has established itself as a true jewel in the crown of parent company Grafton Group. A combination of bolstering its online and digital offering, continued branch network expansion and constantly evolving its services has ensured that Selco has continually enhanced its position in the market and posted impressive turnover and profit results. Product With a customer base comprising professional tradespeople and businesses, Selco’s primary aim is to serve the RMI and home renovation market. As such, each of its branches has in excess of 15,000 recognised trade products – all available at trade prices. From timber to decking and bathrooms to power tools, Selco has every base covered both in branch and through its extensive digital offering, including Click & Deliver, Click & Collect and the recently launched Dial & Deliver. Additional services available to assist tradespeople with their day-to-day work include sheet-cutting, brick-matching, paint-matching and project lists. Selco also recognises the increasing importance of supplying renewable and sustainable products, such as FSC-certified timber and other environmentally friendly materials. Achievements Selco’s strong performance over the last 12 months was recognised at the most prestigious awards ceremony within its industry. At the delayed 2020 Builders Merchants Awards, held in May of this year, Selco won the National Builders Merchant of the Year (51+ branches) accolade. Selco did in fact complete an awards double this year by also being named as the UK’s Leading Supplier of Building Materials at the BUILD Magazine Design & Build Awards. Recent Developments Maintaining a safe and comfortable environment for customers and colleagues during the pandemic and accelerating the journey to a sustainable operational future have been major priorities for Selco over the last 18 months. Selco’s response to the coronavirus outbreak was firmly focused on the safety of its customers and colleagues alike. While the business would have been allowed to continue trading as an essential service under government guidelines, Selco took the tough but necessary decision to close all branches and halt operations for six weeks in March 2020. Putting health and safety above all else, a comprehensive Covid-secure plan was put into operation, with the process of reopening beginning in early May. This approach has ensured that Selco has been perfectly placed to deal with the ever-growing demand from tradespeople throughout the pandemic. Running parallel to Selco’s pandemic response has been a commitment to accelerate the company’s sustainability programme across five key areas – customer and product, people, resources, community and ethics. Selco is planting nearly 100,000 trees at a ‘Selco Forest’ near Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders DID YOU KNOW?