26th Oct 2007 07:01
Travis Perkins PLC26 October 2007 26 October 2007 TRAVIS PERKINS PLC Wickes franchises its business in Ireland Travis Perkins plc ("Travis Perkins"), a leading UK builders merchant and homeimprovement retailer, announces that its subsidiary company, Wickes Ltd,("Wickes") has entered a franchise agreement with Moritz Home Improvements Ltd("Moritz") under which Moritz will develop home improvement stores in Irelandunder the Wickes brand. While Moritz will be responsible for operating thebusiness, Wickes will sell products to the business from its own range andreceive commission on retail sales. It will also provide training and marketingsupport. It is presently anticipated that the first Wickes store in Ireland willopen in 2008. Moritz is a subsidiary of Moritz Holdings Ltd, a leading commercial andresidential property development company in Ireland, which also operates a chainof builders merchant stores. John Carter, Chief Operating Officer of Travis Perkins, commented: "This is an excellent low risk opportunity to gain experience of extending theWickes brand outside the UK, under the leadership of its Managing Director,Jeremy Bird. We are delighted to be joining forces with Moritz in Ireland wherewe believe there are good prospects for a high quality trade-focussed homeimprovement business like Wickes". There will be a conference call for analysts at 10.00am (GMT) today. To dialinto the conference, please call: 0845 111 4059 (UK Local Call) or, +44 (0)1452555 666 (International Dial In), quoting Conference ID: 22453174. Enquiries: Geoff Cooper, Chief ExecutiveTravis Perkins PLC Tel: +44 (0)1604 683 221 John Carter, Chief Operating OfficerTravis Perkins PLC Tel: +44 (0)1604 683 221 David BickSquare 1 Consulting Limited Tel: +44 (0)20 7929 5599 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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