The largest UK distributor of plumbing and heating products has bought into the electrical sector and is creating a nationwide brand called Electric Center.

In a move that has led to the creation of the Electric Center brand, Wolseley UK, the country’s largest distributor of plumbing, heating and building products, has made a decisive move into the electrical supplies sector.

The company acquired 26 branches of electrical distributor William Wilson in November 2005, giving it a foothold in Scotland and the north of England. The buy out of AC Electrical in April 2006 increased Wolseley’s electrical outlet chain by a further 40 branches, this time in the Midlands and South. With this nationwide coverage, the Wolseley has unified its offering with the new Electric Center branding.

The company’s electrical business now has sales of more than £100 million from 70 branches. It plans to increase this number to more than 100 outlets by the early part of 2007.

All AC Electrical and William Wilson branches will be rebranded in a rolling programme running until November 2007.

Ian Tillotson, Wolseley UK commercial development director, says: “The new brand creates a fresh start, where we can retain the best parts of each company and add the strength of Wolseley. We can now go on to build something special in electrical distribution, offering customers a new and exciting alternative.”

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor