Online builders merchant sales rise 46%

Construction Materials Online, the online-only supplier of building materials, saw sales rise 46% to £38.6million in 2018.
CMO supplies a range of over 70,000 construction materials to the trade user and the DIY market, via its websites: roofingsuperstore.co.uk, drainagesuperstore.co.uk, insulationsuperstore.co.uk, and doorsuperstore.co.uk.

CMO chief financial officer Sue Packer commented: “Responding to the needs of our B2C customers and growing base of trade customers is the key driver to our success. It’s also the reason we feel confident about our growth initiatives for the coming year and beyond.”
The business, which received an £8.65million investment by private equity firm, KCP in 2018, has seen a 35% increase in customers and site visits to its online stores.
In 2018, the business acquired DoorWeb, which has now been successfully integrated into CMO’s online platform as doorsuperstore.co.uk. The new business is reportedly going from strength to strength; achieving record sales since its October launch. A move to new premises accommodated the company’s 90-strong staff, whilst upgraded warehouse management, stock, and financial systems should help to provide “a solid platform for future growth”, says the company.
CEO Andy Dunkley said CMO “adds value” to its customers, which include builders, contractors and direct consumers. “We’ve been working hard to add innovative products to the range and ramping up specialist training for teams. We’re raising the bar in the industry with an ambitious strategy to continue our significant growth.”