Opens 500th branch in the UK

Travis Perkins PLC
29 November 2001

29 November 2001

                 Travis Perkins Opens 500th branch in the UK

Travis Perkins plc, leading UK distributor of timber, building and plumbing
materials to the building trade and the country's largest supplier of
heavyside building products, is to open its 500th branch on Monday 3 December.

Located in Preston, Lancashire, the new branch continues the vigorous
expansion programme set by chief executive Frank McKay whose target is to
secure for TP a UK market share of circa 20 per cent within five years.  With
group annual sales already approaching £1.3 billion and a current market share
of around 13 per cent, the planned growth rate implies the addition of 200 or
more branches over the five year term.

Commenting, Mr McKay said:  'Our policy is to reach these targets through a
judicious mix of acquisition, greenfield site openings and organic growth.
While the sector has already seen significant consolidation in the last five
years, there remains ample scope for us to grow the business.  The three
largest companies, including ourselves, speak for over 40 per cent of the UK
market covered by builders merchants but this still leaves close to 60 per
cent currently in the hands of some 2000 independent operators.'

Over the medium term Frank McKay believes the Government's infrastructure
spending programme will help the building and related trades and that this
will be good news for companies like Travis Perkins and Keyline.  Added Mr
McKay:  'Over 70 per cent of our business is concerned with repairs,
maintenance and improvements in both the residential and commercial markets.
If people move house they tend to want to improve them and if they stay put
they often want to extend them.  This is good for our business as is the low
inflation, low interest rate environment we have at present.'

Press Enquiries:

Frank McKay
Chief Executive
Travis Perkins plc
Tel: [phone] (office)

Tel: [phone] (mobile)

Issued on behalf of Travis Perkins plc by Tavistock Communications Limited
(Contact Keith Payne, tel: [phone])