Grafton confident of future growth

Irish building materials group Grafton said today results for the first quarter have been positive and match the company’s expectations…

Irish building materials group Grafton said today results for the first quarter have been positive and match the company’s expectations.

Grafton said its British business which is now its most important market, has experienced strong growth in a favourable trading environment.

However it added that business conditions in Ireland were less favourable in the construction sector and this will affect the results of the building materials businesses in the first quarter.

Grafton said its retail chain Woodie's DIY continues to perform well, growing its turnover and profits. The group will open two new stores in Newbridge and Tralee in the summer bringing to 14 the number of Woodie's stores in Ireland.