Howdens reaches consumers via builders and fitters who access its national depot network
Howden Joinery Group, the trade kitchens supplier which sells to consumers via small builders and kitchen fitters, says it plans to open its first depots in Northern Ireland.

Without giving a precise timeframe or target locations, the East Yorkshire based kitchen maker said the country was "within scope" as it looked to build out its depot network to 800 sites in all. It currently trades from under 700.

Besides the UK mainland, Howdens has already launched its first overseas depots, with 20 in France joined by two in Belgium and a single depot in each of Germany and the Netherlands. Northern Ireland would give it full UK coverage.

Its plans were made known as it released interim results for the 24 weeks to June 16, 2018, during which higher costs meant it didn't feel the full benefit of rising revenue.

Group turnover for Howdens advanced 12 percent to £619.4 million, with profits up 4.6 percent to £54.5 million.