BSS impresses before deal with Travis

Plumbing and heating firm BSS Group, which agreed to be bought by UK builders' merchant Travis Perkins, posted a 24.5 per cent rise in adjusted pre-tax profit on robust growth across units.

By The Newsroom

Published 23rd Nov 2010, 20:17 BST

Updated 23rd Nov 2010, 20:17 BST

The company, which operates through its domestic, industrial and specialist units, said it started the second half well with like-for-like sales in the first seven weeks up 5.9 per cent.

"The improvement in trading results reflects a pick-up in our core repair and maintenance markets, as the broader economy starts to recover, a more favourable price environment plus a focus on improving trade terms," BSS said.

BSS, which made its last financial report as an independent group with these results, said April-September adjusted pre-tax profit was 29m, up from 23.3m last year.

On July 5, BSS agreed a 557.6m takeover by Travis Perkins, making Travis Britain's biggest plumbing and heating trade and retail distribution business.

BSS said it was on track to complete the sale of the group to Travis Perkins by the end of this year.

Travis Perkins