uk.superbrands.com Superbrands UK Vol. 24 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, the pandemic and inflationary pressures. 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 enhanced its position in the market and posted impressive turnover and profit results. Ambitious new expansion plans are now in place to significantly increase the size of the business to 100 branches, creating more than 1,000 jobs along the way, by 2026. Achievements Selco’s strong performance over the last 12 months has been supplemented by fantastic career development opportunities for its 3,000 colleagues. All branch colleagues have been given the chance to upskill and move to the next stage of their development through the Rising Stars programme, while a Driver Academy was launched to help colleagues pursue a new career as a fully qualified HGV driver. History Selco’s history began in 1895, with Sewell & Co (Timber) Ltd, a small family business operating a modest timber mill and caravan fit-out business in Birmingham. The business was a success and by the late 1930s, the company was developing itself into a builders’ merchant. In 1982, the company changed its name to Selco and established a business model exclusively for the professional tradesperson. Then, in 1990, Selco opened its first branch outside the Midlands in Swansea. In 1998, merchanting and DIY group, Grafton Group (Plc), purchased Selco and the business continued to expand across the Midlands and south-west. In 2002, Selco opened its first London branch in Walthamstow. In 2006, the north-west became Selco’s latest home with branches opening in Manchester. After a sustained period of expansion, 2021 saw Selco open in Liverpool, taking its branch network up to 70. In 2022, Exeter became branch number 73, following on from openings in Canning Town and Rochester. Product With a customer base comprising professional tradespeople and businesses, Selco’s primary aim is to serve the repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) and home renovation market. As such, each of its branches has in excess of 13,000 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 a recently launched new app. Additional services 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. Recent Developments The last year has seen Selco continue along its expansion strategy and secure record-breaking achievements across its branch network. New branches have been opened in Rochester, Canning Town and Exeter with Peterborough and Cheltenham due to be added to that list by early 2023. The ‘customer first’ pledge, for which Selco is renowned, has been further enhanced with the introduction of a new app. Following on from Click & Collect and Click & Deliver, Selco has further strengthened its digital offering to ensure tradespeople are able to purchase products and materials in the most convenient way possible to them.
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