Over 800 logistics jobs could be at risk as plumbing and heating products distributor Wolseley implements a £100 million 'UK turnaround and repositioning' plan, including the closure of a distribution centre.

A review was undertaken after annual results showed an 18 per cent fall in trading profits in the year to July 31st.
 
It is not yet clear which facility will close, but it could mean jobs at one of the existing regional sites at Melmerby, Worcester, Milton Keynes and Measham are in jeopardy.

The company, which also has a national distribution centre in Royal Leamington Spa, is also looking at closing 80 branches. The net effect of these changes will be the shedding of around 800 jobs.

Group chief executive John Martin said the company's operational review had "identified opportunities to transform our customer propositions while simplifying our branch network and supporting logistics facilities to greatly improve service levels, drive availability and choice for customers and generate better returns for shareholders".

He said it was unfortunate that this would result in some job losses, but he pledged the company would deal with this "sensitively" and would use natural wastage and redeployment to minimise the impact.