ONE of UK’s largest independent builders’ merchants, MKM Building Supplies, has confirmed its ambitious expansion plans by opening its fourth Scottish branch on Monday 16 September.
The new branch on Nuneaton Street, Dalmarnock in the east end of Glasgow, will create 19 jobs and give a boost to the local economy in a part of the city that is already undergoing a rapid transformation.
The new outlet directly opposite the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome occupies three acres and includes a 37,000 sq ft store that is designed to be a one-stop-shop for tradesmen, small and medium-sized developers and for DIYers, by providing everything they need under one roof.
Craig Millar, who has been in the building supply trade in Scotland for 35 years is branch director of the new outlet and is chair of the Builders Merchants’ Federation in Scotland, says: “This is the biggest independent mixed builders’ merchants in Glasgow and the only one with specialist teams in all areas, including heating and plumbing, in order to help customers to get the right materials for the job in just one place.
“Time is money and our customers need to be as efficient as possible, so they have told us the one stop shop approach helps them enormously.
“Our customers have also told us that they are pleased to have an independent alternative which hasn’t been the case for many years.”
The store in Glasgow is entirely powered by renewable energy, through the use of solar energy and biomass energy.
The store will become centre of excellence for environmentally friendly building materials and techniques, with a demonstration area on these where customers can see green innovation directly for themselves.
MKM Building Supplies already has stores in Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy and Perth and employs 83 staff in Scotland with plans to further expand in Scotland.
The branch in Perth has doubled its staff and fleet of vehicles and more than doubled its turnover since opening its doors two years ago.
Mr Millar says those results were achieved because MKM has a policy of recruiting the right people and operating a profit-sharing scheme for all staff and he said he expected to see high turnover from the outset in the Glasgow branch.
“People are not moving house but are investing in their own properties instead with loft conversions, extensions and garden makeovers and it is this market, along with the buoyant self-build sector, that we serve.
“The new branch in Glasgow is on a highly visible site, next to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and with easy access to all parts of the city and the central belt through the motorway network.
“As we supply everything from timber and roofing supplies to kitchens and bathrooms, we offer builders and the general public the opportunity to get everything they need in the one place.”
MKM Building Supplies also has plans to take on local school leavers through an apprenticeship scheme and give them full training in the building supplies trade.
MKM Building Supplies was set up in Hull in 1995.
It employs 735 staff in total and aims to be a national chain with branches across the UK. Turnover is £160m.
Glasgow is its 40th branch and there are plans to open a further six new outlets across the UK by the end of next year.
MKM founder and chief executive, David Kilburn, says: “It is incredibly exciting to be opening our 40th branch especially in such a great city as Glasgow. It will help to consolidate our Scottish presence which is a natural area of growth.”
Ed Monaghan, chair of Construction Scotland, said:
“It is encouraging to see new players coming into the construction market and MKM’s plans for growth. We are particularly pleased to see the creation of new jobs in a regeneration area like the East End of Glasgow.”
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