Employment hopes at Travis Perkins - graduate jobs

Last year brought Travis Perkins a 20% increase in pre-tax profits, offering hope to industry graduates looking for a spot at a leading firm.

The builders' merchant has issued an annual report containing figures for the year ending December 31 2010 which confirm positive news from early data reported by Construction News in February.

Profits hit £217 million, with an 8% increase in revenues and £3.15 billion total sales. Travis Perkins' annual report calculates it outperformed competitors by about 6% for retail and 8% in in merchanting in 2010.

It cut net debt by £205 million and year-end debt was £774 million. The net debt figure does not take into account the purchase of BSS, a plumbing an heating company, and a pension contribution which was a one-off. Before BSS was added to the group, its adjusted operating margin was up 0.1% to 7.8%.

Chief executive Geoff Cooper said: "The main programmes boosted at the beginning of 2010 cover product availability, ranging, delivery services, multi-channel trading and account management. Behind these programmes significant support is provided by our central technology, supply chain, procurement and marketing function."