Three More Businesses to be Acquired

Travis Perkins PLC
19 January 2000


     
        Travis Perkins Acquiring Three More Businesses

Travis  Perkins, one of the UK's leading suppliers  of  timber
and building materials and the sector's leading distributor of
heavyside products, is consolidating its market position  with
three further acquisitions.

First  it  is in advanced negotiations to acquire the Cumbria-
based  Broombys Limited, an 80 year old family  business  with
nine  branches  and  a combined turnover of  over  £30m.   The
branches   are   in   Barrow,  Carlisle,  Carnforth,   Kendal,
Morecambe,   Penrith,  Sandside,  Ulverston  and   Workington.
Completion is expected to take place at the end of next month.

Meanwhile  Travis Perkins has completed the  purchase  of  two
smaller  businesses, the Devonshire located Baseline  Builders
Merchants,  with branches in Exeter, Plymouth, Teignmouth  and
Tiverton,  and  Allied Builders Merchants  in  Scotland  whose
three branches are at Kelso, Peebles and Selkirk.

The  total  expected consideration for the combined assets  of
the  three businesses is less than £25m which will be paid out
of  the company's existing resources in a combination of  loan
notes and cash.

Frank   J.   McKay,   chief   executive,   commented:   'These
acquisitions   continue  our  strategy   of   broadening   our
distribution network across the United Kingdom and at the same
time  offering  our  customers the fullest range  of  building
materials.

'We  are particularly pleased to be acquiring Broombys, a well
managed  family business and the largest merchant  in  Cumbria
where   hitherto  Travis  Perkins  has  had   little   or   no
representation.'

The  acquisition of Baseline Builders strengthens the coverage
of  Travis  Perkins  in the South West while  Allied  Builders
opens  up  additional  market opportunities  in  the  Scottish
borders.   Branch overlap is minimal with Baseline's  Tiverton
outlet  likely to be merged with that of the former  Sharpe  &
Fisher branch.


As  a  result of these latest deals, and following the  recent
acquisitions  of Keyline and Sharpe & Fisher,  Travis  Perkins
will have some 460 branches.

Press Enquiries:

Tony Travis
Chairman
Tel: [phone]

Frank J. McKay
Chief Executive
Tel: [phone]