Fact Sheet Devs

Company profileWOLSELEY IS THE NUMBER ONE DISTRIBUTOR OF HEATING AND PLUMBINGPRODUCTS TO THE PROFESSIONAL MARKET AND A LEADING SUPPLIER OFBUILDING MATERIALS. WOLSELEY IS A COMPANY THAT'S GOING PLACES. IT’SAN ORGANISATION BUILDING ON ITS STRENGTHS AND GETTING BIGGER ANDBETTER EVERY YEAR.Headquartered near Reading in the UK, Wolseley operates in 28 countries acrossEurope and North America. The company is listed on the London and New YorkStock Exchanges and is recognised by its peers and commentators for itsconsistently strong financial performance.• AROUND 79,000 EMPLOYEES• AROUND 5,000 OUTLETSACROSS EUROPE ANDNORTH AMERICA• THE WORLD’S NUMBERONE DISTRIBUTOROF HEATING ANDPLUMBING PRODUCTS• A LEADING SUPPLIEROF BUILDING MATERIALS TOTHE PROFESSIONAL MARKET• 28 COUNTRIES ACROSSEUROPE AND NORTH AMERICAThe overall strategy of the Wolseley Group is tobuild a truly international business and to achieve,on average, double digit sales growth each year,growing profit faster than sales. Half of this growthis expected to come from organic growth andhalf from acquisitions. The organic growth willcome from opening new branches, expandingthe product range and customer base andmoving into new markets.Along with growth, the company is alsofocussing on sourcing, supply chain, businessimprovement and leadership development.These competitive advantages form thebedrock of the Group’s plans for improvementand expansion.Within the Wolseley Group, outstandingcompanies transfer and share ideas, and bestpractice solutions across international borders tothe benefit of customers in their home markets.

The range of products and services onoffer is as varied as the customers and thelocations, and it’s this diversity which is keyto Wolseley’s success.The business is built on brands whichare well-known and trusted in their localmarketplaces. While many competitors arefocused solely on one country, Wolseley’scompetitive advantage comes from distributinga diverse range of products across a widegeographical area. Wolseley acts at the hub ofthe construction industry, linking suppliers tocustomers and consumers. Its purchasingand sourcing managers build importantrelationships with the best suppliers in thebusiness. Wolseley’s reputation is based onbeing faster, more reliable and smarter thanthe competition. The Group encouragesinnovation, and remains open to new ideasat all levels of the business. It is a trulyinternational business operating inlocal markets.Customer care is also key to Wolseley’sgrowth and development as establishing goodrelationships with its customers is critical toobtaining ongoing and repeat business tosecure the future success of the Group, aswell as the customers’ own businesses.This customer base ranges from individualtradesmen to multi-national companies who relyon Wolseley’s expertise; whether they’re fixingplumbing problems or buying building productsfor major industrial facilities. The Group aims toexceed customers’ expectations in terms ofservice and products.One of the most important tasks of anygroup is developing people and this isa top priority for Wolseley. Many ofthe operating businesses have wellestablished training and developmentprogrammes which are complemented byGroup led initiatives such as the EuropeanGraduate Programme, internationalFAST FACTSHeadquartered:Near Reading, UKBusiness:No 1 distributor of heating andplumbing products in the world.Leading supplier of building materials.Geographic diversity:28 countries in Europe andNorth AmericaNumber of outlets:Around 5,000Number of employees:Around 79,000Market capitalisation:Around £7 billionTotal Group annual revenue:£16.2 billion, as at 31 July 2007• North America 53.4% of sales• Europe 46.4% of salesassignments and executive educationdevelopment. The Group is committed togrowing talent for the future and ensuringWolseley is an employer of choice.Wolseley is a great company with greatopportunities to build an even moresuccessful international business.Trading profits:£877 million, as at 31 July 2007Stock Exchange:Listed in London and New YorkFTSE position:Top 50Contact details:Wolseley plcParkview 1220Arlington Business ParkThealeReading RG7 4GA UKT: +44 (0) 118 929 8700F: +44 (0) 118 929 8701E: first.last@wolseley.comW: www.wolseley.comAll figures as at 31 July 2007unless otherwise stated.Registered Office:Wolseley plc Parkview 1220 Arlington Business Park Theale Reading RG7 4GAT: +44 (0) 118 929 8700 F: +44 (0) 118 929 8701 W: www.wolseley.comRegistered No. 29846 England