Huws Gray meets the shadow minister

Welsh independent builders merchant Huws Gray has told the shadow minister for construction that the RMI market will be key in revitalising the economy in north Wales.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas MP – also shadow minister for construction – and Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones visited the company’s Wrexham branch at Croesfoel, Rhostyllen.

The company believes there is pent-up demand for small works in most households – a demand which has been severely restricted by a lack of confidence and economic uncertainty. Andrew Guest, Huws Gray area manager, said: “Investing in existing housing to improve the condition and fitting energy and water-saving products are central to our business.”

The company, which left the NBG LLP buying group at the beginning of the year, has been steadily growing over the past few years. Turnover in 2009 was £59m – having grown from just £7m in 1999 and chairman John Llewelyn Jones believes the company is on track to become a £100m concern. He expects to turnover £65m this financial year.

The MPs’ visit was part of a series organised by the Builders Merchants Federation, with the aim of raising the profile of construction and builders merchants within government and opposition parties.

Brett Amphlett, BMF policy manager, said: “We believe the RMI market can help lift the nation out of recession.”

Lucus said: “It is essential that the building industry, along with industry as a whole, ups its game in confronting the challenge of climate change. We not only need to reduce emissions in new buildings – but also in existing housing.”