The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Building firm invests £1m in Dundee move
City premises creates 20 jobs
A building merchant has invested more than £1 million in establishing new premises in Dundee.
MKM Building Supplies officially opens today in the city, creating 20 jobs.
It is the ninth store opened in Scotland and the 73rd in the UK by the firm.
Branch director Barclay Scott described the Dunsinane Avenue facility as the “perfect location”.
He said: “Dundee seems to be on the up and has been for some time.
“This move has been in the pipeline for a couple of years.
“We also saw the trade was looking for a different kind of merchant and that’s what we offer.
“We are a one-stop shop across all trades and also provide a cutting service for DIY enthusiasts. Excellent service is a key part of what we do.
“On top of that, we are retail friendly as well and have kitchen and bathroom showrooms on site.”
The firm has opted to begin trading prior to today’s official opening and is reporting promising initial levels of sales.
Mr Scott said: “We have already created 20 full-time posts, as well as a cleaning team which is contracted in.
“We have had an encouraging start and I expect that more jobs will be created in Dundee in due course.
“Everyone on the team is very experienced in their own field and crucially, they are known in the industry which is helping attract custom.”
Mr Scott said the size of MKM’s vehicle fleet is also likely to increase in the near future.
Founded in Hull by entrepreneur David Kilburn, the firm has grown to be the largest independent builders and plumbers merchant in the UK and is in its 25th year in business.
Mr Kilburn previously announced plans to increase the number of branches to 100 by 2021.
He attributed the firm’s success to a model which sees branch directors take a 25% stake in their own business, allowing greater earning potential.
I expect more jobs will be created in Dundee. BARCLAY SCOTT