Howarth Timber’s Newcastle-under-Lyme branch has become the latest in the north-east based chain to be revamped.
Some £1m has been spent on the Battacks Road site over the past seven months to boost its performance and bring it into line with state-of-the-art merchanting sites. The facility has been all but rebuilt on derelict land to the rear of the old site.
The revamped one-acre outlet has increased retail space, new racking and a more customer-friendly store layout. The changes have enabled a 20% increase in the number of shop products stocked and the introduction of builders products.
Other changes include a larger car park and the installation of a new HIAB crane.
Manager Craig Daniels said that the investment would make the £1.7m-turnover site more efficient.
‘Although we have increased the range stocked, the site is more compact than the old one and uses a lot of air space. The area the site used to occupy was way too big for the turnover.’
The 24-strong Howarth chain, which generates a turnover of £85m, is also renovating its Oldham site.
Other planned refurbishments set to begin by the end of the first quarter next year include Leeds and York.
Howarth Timber’s managing director Nick Howarth said the branch refurbishments would deliver turnover improvements.
‘We normally look for improvements to sales and in areas like customer service. The more that is invested the more of an improvement that is expected,’ said Mr Howarth.
