Screwfix in sales boost

A company that is due to open a major new warehouse in Stafford this summer has announced a huge sales boost.

Screwfix Direct is creating 300 jobs at the giant Cross Flow 540 warehouse at Primepoint 14, just off the M6 at Creswell.

But the 24.4 per cent increase in sales for the last quarter will fuel hopes of doubling the staffing figure within three years.

Sales rose to £96.2 million in the quarter ending in February as the roll out of Screwfix Direct trade counters has also progressed with a further eight openings during the quarter, taking the total to 38 across the UK.

Screwfix, which supplies building, maintenance and refurbishment items to the trade, is due to begin recruitment for the distribution centre in Stafford in the spring.

The company has signed a 10-year lease on the 12-acre warehouse and operations are due to begin in June.

Screwfix, which also employs 500 people at its base in Trentham, has seen sales continue increasing year on year as its catalogue expanded and website traffic levels have increased.

Success

Jeremy Maxwell, marketing director at Screwfix Direct, said part of the company's ongoing success was down to the inclusion of even more brand names and innovative ideas.

"Leading brand names have never been lacking in our range but they have taken on a whole new focus in recent catalogues with the addition of big trade brands that appeal direct to the trade. As well as more than 1,600 new products across our last two issues, our latest catalogue features innovation in the form of new and improved products that help the trades to work faster and smarter," he said.

Mr Maxwell said the trade counter initiative has proved to be extremely popular with those customers who need product immediately.

"In support of this excellent sales growth, we have been able to maintain high levels of service for customers through each of our three sales channels – screwfix.com, trade counters and our telephone contact centre in Yeovil," he explained.

Screwfix send out an average of more than 70,000 parcels a week and offer next day delivery on more than 14,000 screws, tools, fixings and accessories, as well as larger items such as garage doors, kitchens and complete bathrooms on 7, 14 or 21-day delivery terms.

Trade counters are open in Birmingham, Burton upon Trent, Dudley and Shrewsbury in the Midlands.

l Work on the Primepoint 14 development is continuing with several new warehouses being constructed by ProLogis.