Graduates are the key to our future.
Not surprisingly, we have a constant need for bright, enthusiastic people to help us maintain our well-established track record of growth.
Ours is not a normal business – in fact we don't have a true competitor in the usual sense of the word. So we can't just go out and hire people who have learned their business skills elsewhere. We need to bring our own graduates into the company and develop them.
Within Wolseley, there is a drive to leverage our strengths across our many different businesses. This won't just happen on its own. We need high-quality managers who can take the strongest parts from our businesses and bring them together in a spirit of sharing and co-operation.
Our history
Founded in Australia in 1887 as the Wolseley Sheep Shearing Machine Company Limited, Wolseley has had a history of growth and change. Through the following decades, Wolseley was involved in the motor industry as well as agricultural equipment before shifting into the heating and plumbing sector in the 1960s.
In the 1990s, the Group expanded into Europe and continued to expand in North America. In 2001, Wolseley finally exited the manufacturing industry and is now totally focused on distribution.
Vision
Wolseley creates enhanced value for all stakeholders by leveraging the considerable strengths of its individual businesses.
Our priority is to continue to develop strong individual companies that pursue leadership in their own markets. But at the same time, we are co-ordinating our efforts in order to maximise the advantages of being a large and growing group.
We value long-term repeatable success that depends on strong relationships with our customers and suppliers and continuity of employment of our people.
Wolseley and the environment
The environmental impact of our distribution activities is low compared with many other industries. Nonetheless, we recognise the importance of environmental responsibility and the impact that our operations have on the environment, and believe strongly that good environmental practice makes good business sense.
Wolseley and the community
A member of Business in the Community in the UK, we recognise our responsibility to support the communities in which our businesses operate and to act as a good corporate citizen. We are involved in a wide range of initiatives for the benefit of local communities.
For example, Wolseley UK is supporting British Gymnastics, the UK national governing body for the sport, as part of the FTSE-British Olympic Association initiative. As the UK builds up to hosting the Olympic Games in 2012, the initiative aims to link companies with sports’ governing bodies to help improve the effectiveness of their business delivery and performance. In 2007, UK employees also raised £400,000 for the children’s charity NCH by undertaking a Grand Trek.
Our North American businesses continue to support Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organisation that seeks to eliminate substandard housing and homelessness. As part of this programme, in excess of $2 million in cash and goods in kind has been contributed across North America. Branches throughout the continent make donations of materials for every Habitat house built. This is expected to benefit up to 5,000 houses in 2007/8.
Ferguson in the USA actively promotes the education and development of young people in Newport News, where Ferguson’s head office is based. Involvement with organisations such as the Boy Scouts of America, the Boys & Girls Club, Achievable Dream, Preschool Partners and the Rita Welsh Adult Literacy Program emphasise the company’s commitment to the development of future community leaders.
Silvan, one of DT Group’s subsidiaries in Denmark, has embarked on a programme to encourage the employment of people aged over 50 and receiving unemployment or disability benefit. The programme offers flexible working hours, practical training with hands-on experience in one of Silvan’s stores, personal coaching and mentoring. The aim is to help over 70 per cent of participants obtain paid employment at the end of the programme.
We also make donations to a number of charities relevant to the countries and locations in which we operate.