Gillian Coates

Headlam Group plc

Operating for 28 years, Headlam is Europe's leading floorcoverings distributor. Headlam provides the distribution channel between suppliers and trade customers of floorcoverings. Working in partnership with suppliers across the globe manufacturing a diverse range of floorcovering products and ancillary accessories, Headlam provides an unparalleled route to market for their products across the UK and certain Continental European territories. The utilisation of an outsourced distribution channel enables manufacturers to focus on their core activities, incur reduced costs associated with distribution, and benefit from localised sales, marketing and distribution expertise that provides a more effective and greater route to market for their products. To maximize customer and market penetration, and reflecting the regionalised nature of the marketplace, Headlam comprises 67 individual businesses in the UK and Continental Europe (France, the Netherlands and Switzerland) each operating under their own unique trade brand and utilising individual sales teams. Headlam's extensive customer base, operating within both the residential and commercial sectors and comprising principally independent retailers and flooring contractors, receives the broadest product offering supported by next day delivery as well as additional marketing and other support. Headlam's offering is enabled through its unrivalled operating expertise, long-established supplier and customer relationships, and comprehensive distribution network. Following years of considerable investment, Headlam's distribution network currently comprises four national distribution hubs, 19 regional distribution centres and a supporting network of smaller warehouse premises, trade counters, showrooms and specification centres. In 2019, Headlam worked with 190 suppliers from 19 countries and fulfilled 5.3 million customer orders.