The group, which includes business like plumbing supplier BSS and Wickes, said it was now confident about the recovery after revenue soared past £5bn.

John Carter, Chief Executive, said: “2013 was another good year for Travis Perkins and the momentum in the second half of last year has continued into 2014.

“The group is well placed to benefit from the upturn in building activity and in particular the strength of housing transactions.

“We remain focussed on a disciplined approach to investing in the opportunities we see in each of our businesses to grow and improve returns.”

Reported profit before tax was £14m higher than last year at £313m, with group-wide operating margin edging up to 6.8%.

This year a new multi-channel IT platform will be extended to Travis Perkins to enable the introduction of online product ordering to supplement its telephone-based system and local delivery infrastructure.

The rolls out forms part of a the £150m investment expected in new stores, tool station implants and network reconfiguration in the plumbing and heating division.

Work has also started on a big new Cardiff regional distribution centre, which will come on stream in the Autumn.

Together with the newly-opened Warrington centre, the distribution hubs will boost heavyside products offering at branches.