The Haldane Group hosts Bank of England policy maker visit to Newry site
The Haldane Group, one of Northern Ireland’s largest independent builders’ merchants and timber processors, welcomed senior representatives from the Bank of England’s Monetary and Financial Policy Committees to its Newry headquarters as part of a regional policymaker outreach visit.
Huw Pill, Chief Economist, Executive Director for Monetary Analysis and a member of the Monetary Policy Committee, as well as Nathanaël Benjamin, Executive Director for Financial Stability Strategy and Risk met with David Haldane, Executive Chairman; Charles Burns, Chief Executive Officer; and Rob Haldane, Newry Site Manager and fourth-generation shareholder.
The Haldane Group is a leading independent builders’ merchant in Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and England, offering a broad range of products including building materials, plumbing and heating supplies, timber , bathrooms, doors, and hardware to both trade and the general public through 23 outlets across the UK and Ireland.
Being privately owned the group take a long term approach to business and is committed to investing in its facilities, people and processes. At the heart of the Haldane Group is a relentless focus on excellent customer service and after-care. This focus has enabled the company continue to be a leader and innovator in its field nearly 80 years after its founding.
During the visit, the guests met with The Haldane Group’s leadership team to discuss the current business climate, before touring the Newry site — the largest hub for the company’s extensive timber importing, manufacturing, and distribution operations.
David Haldane, Chairman of Haldane Fisher, said: “We were delighted to welcome Mr Pill and Mr Benjamin to Newry. Their visit is an important recognition of the contribution businesses in Northern Ireland — and Newry in particular — make to the UK economy. We value the opportunity to share our perspective on the business environment and highlight our continued investment in people, outstanding customer service, and growth.”
Founded in 1946 by Bob Haldane, The Haldane Group has grown from modest beginnings in Newry into a market leader across the UK and Ireland, recording £165 million turnover in 2023. The company now operates 23 branches across Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and England, employing over 720 staff. The business continues to celebrate the strong family ethos of its founders, with many staff having been with the company for decades, reflecting Haldane Group’s values.
The company’s strategic investment plan, set out in 2023, has a two-pronged approach: investing in organic growth combined with targeted acquisitions. This strategy has reinforced its position as a leading independent builders’ merchant across the UK, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland.
Mr Haldane also noted that the company’s growth strategy is closely aligned with its ESG principles, with significant investment in renewable energy — including solar panels across sites and an electric forklift fleet — to reduce carbon emissions.
Huw Pill, Chief Economist and Executive Director for Monetary Analysis, Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee said he found the visit to Haldane Fisher “fascinating and insightful”. He added: “It was very valuable to hear about the Group’s exciting growth plans and to discuss the economic conditions they and the wider sector are currently facing”.