A “relentless” focus on its core strengths has allowed nationwide joinery products supplier Howdens to record annual pre-tax profits of £110m (2010: £100.9m).
Howdens, which has 509 depots, saw sales grow 5.5% from its UK branches to £838.7m.
The good performance, despite demanding market conditions, has led the group to recommend a dividend for the first time in four years.
But it remained cautious about the immediate trading outlook and expected market conditions to continue to be challenging.
Howdens said growth has been achieved by several factors, including a significant increase in the number of customer accounts, rising sales values of kitchens (including cabinets and worktops).
“Also the value of door sales increased as the mix changed and the volume of sales of joinery and flooring increased substantially,” it said.
To support the upgrading of its joinery products, Howdens introduced flooring vans that can display products and support the depots in the field. More than 100 depots now have hardware and flooring vans to support their sales and marketing.
