World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Wolseley sales down 60% in April

UK: Wholesaler Wolseley UK saw revenues fall over 60% in April as the coronavirus lockdown severely impacted demand.

The April figures followed a 10.3% drop in February and March, resulting in a 26.5% drop for the quarter. The trading loss was $12m, compared to a $20m profit for the same quarter last year.

Ferguson, Wolseley UK’s US plumbing group owner, said it was continuing to actively manage the cost base given the challenging market environment.

Plans announced last year to demerge the UK business are said to be “unchanged”,  with Ferguson saying the demerger process was continuing “although timing will depend upon the stabilization of market conditions”.

Related stories:

Wolseley demerger on track for 2020 – 3 December 2019
UK: The demerger of wholesaler Wolseley UK by its owners, the US plumbing group Ferguson, is said to be on track with completion expected next year. Read more…

Ferguson to hive off Wolseley UK – 4 September 2019
USA/UK: US plumbing group Ferguson has announced the intention to spin off its Wolseley UK business as an independent listed company. Read more…

Latest News

22nd April 2026

German TV exposes illegal refrigerant trade

GERMANY: The continuing black market in illegal refrigerants In Europe has been exposed in a new documentary by the German independent broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW).
22nd April 2026

Free heat pump monitoring portal for installers

UK: Passiv UK has unveiled a web-based monitoring portal that enables heat pump installers to remotely track and optimise all their installations from a single dashboard. 
22nd April 2026

EU plans will boost heat pump sales

EUROPE: Boosting heat pump sales to four million per year by 2030 and tackling electricity to gas price ratios are two of the goals of Europe's AccelerateEU energy plan.
22nd April 2026

ODS emissions threaten ozone layer recovery

SWITZERLAND/UK: An increase in feedstock emissions of ozone depleting gases are said to be threatening the recovery of the ozone layer. 
22nd April 2026

Artus Air supports British Land’s sustainable HQ

UK: Ninety-five Artus Air hybrid fan coil units are being installed at British Land’s new London head office at 20 Triton Street, Regent’s Place.
21st April 2026

Midea ceiling-mounted inverter AHU

USA: Midea is promoting its inverter-driven Pancake AHU as an easy to install ceiling-mounted ducted solution for a wide range of climates, including cold-weather conditions.