PDM

What PDM does

PDM is a building materials distributor headquartered in East Kilbride, Scotland, founded in 1993 and operating as part of the Huws Gray Group following its 2022 acquisition. The company supplies civils materials, multi utilities products, and above ground drainage solutions to civil engineering contractors, utility companies, plumbing and mechanical contractors, public sector bodies, and housing developers across Scotland, organized through three core divisions: Multi Utilities, Civils Heavyside & Hard Landscaping, and Above Ground. Distribution is supported by 10 dedicated branches in Scotland, a fleet of 70+ vehicles with crane-offload capability, and 350+ colleagues; through the Huws Gray platform and the 2019 Buildbase merger, PDM also accesses 17 Civils & Lintels branches across England and Wales.

Name

PDM

Legal name

Huws Gray Limited

Website

https://pdmltd.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

PDM is a Scotland-based building materials distributor founded in 1993, now part of Huws Gray Group, supplying civils, multi utilities, and above-ground drainage products through 10 dedicated branches to civil engineering contractors, utility companies, and trade customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

East Kilbride

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Civils & Drainage: PDM generates revenue through the sale of civils, drainage, and heavyside landscaping materials including concrete products, manhole systems, and geotechnical products from 10 dedicated branches.
2. Product Sales - Multi Utilities: Sale of utility products including water and gas pipe, fittings, valves, metering products, and barrier pipe for Scottish Water framework holders and gas utility companies.
3. Product Sales - Above Ground: Sale of above ground plumbing, drainage, copper pipework, brass fittings, and related building materials through branch network.
4. Managed Store Services: Dedicated managed store solutions for public sector and utility partners with integrated IT systems, staff, and inventory management.
5. Van Stock Solutions: Managed van stock replenishment services with PDA-based ordering, stock profiling, and scheduled deliveries for housing associations and local authorities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

PDM is a Scotland-based building materials merchant that supplies civils, multi-utilities, and above-ground drainage products to trade and public-sector customers through 10 dedicated branches and a fleet of 70+ crane-offload vehicles. The core product range is organised into three divisions — Multi Utilities (water, gas, service connections), Civils Heavyside & Hard Landscaping (precast concrete, drainage, geotechnical, water management, access covers), and Above Ground (plumbing, copper/brassware, soil and waste systems) — supplemented by partnering services such as Managed Stores, Van Stock Management, Vend & Go Vending, Stock & Go Mobile Ordering App, Next Generation Pop Up Store, E-Trading, and Procurement ID Cards.

Product overview

PDM is a building materials merchant operating as Scotland's leading supplier of civils, multi-utilities, and above-ground drainage products. The offering is a multi-category portfolio rather than a single unified product: it encompasses three core product divisions — Multi Utilities (water and gas pipeline products, fittings, valves, and service connections), Civils Heavyside & Hard Landscaping (precast concrete, drainage, geotechnical, access covers, and water management), and Above Ground (copper/brass plumbing, plastic and cast-iron drainage and rainwater systems). These core divisions are supported by a network of 10 dedicated PDM branches in Scotland plus 17 Civils & Lintels branches in England and Wales, a dedicated fleet of crane-offload vehicles, and a suite of partnering services including Managed Stores, Van Stock Management, Vend & Go Vending, Stock & Go Mobile Ordering App, Next Generation Pop Up Stores, E-Trading, and Procurement ID Cards. PDM also serves specialist market sectors (Rail, Highways, Power, Commercial & Industrial, Housing, Agricultural, and Golf Courses) with tailored product sub-ranges. The company was acquired by Huws Gray in 2022 and is part of the Huws Gray Group operating over 200 locations across the UK.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Multi Utilities Utility market product range including water and gas pipeline products, fittings, valves, and metering products supplied from branches in Glasgow, Broxburn, Aberdeen, and Inverness. PDM holds Scottish Water framework agreements for barrier pipe, large diameter fittings, and stainless steel repair fittings.
• Civils Heavyside & Hard Landscaping Civil engineering and drainage materials supplied from 10 dedicated branches across Scotland, including precast concrete, drainage systems, geotechnical products, access covers, and water management solutions. Extended to UK-wide coverage via the Civils & Lintels sub-brand.
• Above Ground Above and below ground pipework and fittings supplied from dedicated branches across Scotland. Includes copper pipework, brass fittings, plastic and cast iron rainwater systems, soil and drainage products, and push-fit plumbing systems from brands including Polypipe, Marley, McAlpine, and Wavin.
• Managed Stores Dedicated on-site or in-branch store solutions for large contracts, providing sole-use premises with mutually agreed size, location, and layout; full IT integration; and staff integration with customer operations. Operates dedicated managed stores within Buildbase branches in Glasgow and Lanarkshire for East Dunbartonshire Council, Mears LLP North Lanarkshire, and other public sector partners.
• Van Stock Management Managed van stock solution providing operatives with materials for efficient job completion. Includes robust van stock management backed by live data, flexible solutions tailored to requirements, van stock audits, and IT integration. Designed to increase first-visit repair completion rates for housing maintenance contracts.
• Vend & Go Vending 24/7 vending solution for electrical, gas spares, plumbing consumables, PPE, and janitorial supplies. Provides managed inventory with consigned stock, no customer upfront outlay, and integration with order, purchasing, and job costing software.
• Stock & Go Mobile Ordering App Mobile application enabling operatives to manage van stock materials on the go, reorder van stock and special items while on the road or onsite. Built and developed in-house with no licence, setup, user, or maintenance fees for partnering clients.
• Next Generation Pop Up Store Mobile pop-up store solution using secure storage containers placed at locations of high or low demand. Features self-checkout barcode reader, integration with job systems, and RFID-based Smart Store variant for automated material tracking.
• E-Trading (EDI Portal) Electronic data interchange system allowing electronic exchange of orders, invoices, credits, delivery notes and statements with suppliers and customers. Supports job reference validation, operative ID verification, and detailed management information reports.
• Procurement ID Cards Spend control and visibility tool with configurable spend limits per operative, line-level material restrictions, and transaction reporting capabilities.
• Collection and Delivery Service Order collection at PDM branches and delivery via fleet of 70+ vehicles ranging from 3.5 tonne pickups to 26 tonne crane-offload trucks, with real-time customer notifications on driver approach and electronic proof of delivery.
• Electronic Proof of Delivery (EPOD) Electronic proof of delivery system providing customers with real-time delivery updates, ETA alerts, and online access to delivery documents via customer portal.
• Armadillo Protector Shells Temporary protector shells placed over manhole covers and gully grates during construction to protect from group five traffic. Designed to ensure covers start service life in 'as new' condition. Compatible with ClickLift system. Manufactured by Wrekin.
• ClickLift Manhole Frame Raising System Rapid manhole cover frame raising system eliminating the need to dig out and reinstall manhole frames to suit final road surface. Available in four fixed incremental raising heights. Manufactured by Wrekin.
• F.P. McCann Easi-Base Manhole System Engineered alternative to standard concrete manhole ring offering reduced health & safety risk, reduced labour costs, and faster installation. Reduces manhole installation from 36 hours to minutes. WRc approved and accepted by UK Water Authorities. 80-year guaranteed system.
• Civils & Lintels (sub-brand) England and Wales-focused brand with 17 branches supplying civils, drainage, and lintel products nationwide. Serviced by dedicated fleet of crane offload vehicles for UK-wide delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• Easi-Base manhole installation: from 36 hours to minutes
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Scottish WatercoreOthersFramework holder for Scottish Water supplying barrier pipe and fittings, large diameter end restraint fittings, stainless steel under pressure tees, and flange convertors. Active supplier for water utility infrastructure projects.
• Mears GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor15+ year partnership for housing maintenance services. Huws Gray supports Mears and North Lanarkshire Council on housing maintenance contract, including annual apprentice tool donations for 8 years.
• Emtec Utility Services LimitedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent connection provider selected PDM as preferred supplier for Ardersier Port energy transition facility. PDM supplies cable protection systems, ducting coils, and warning tapes for offshore wind infrastructure. Partnership follows earlier solar farm project collaboration.
• Maxwell Construction & CivilscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor£250,000 contract to supply specialist Emtelle ducting and cable tiles for Priestgill wind farm 4.0km grid connection. Partnership builds on previous collaborations including Sanquhar 2 windfarm for Scottish Power.
• FP McCanncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with FP McCann and Mulholland Contracts to supply largest culvert order in Scotland - 102 box culvert sections for Cammo Meadows residential development. 820,000 litre storage tank represents largest attenuation system supplied in box culvert form by FP McCann.
• Mulholland ContractscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with FP McCann and PDM Broxburn for supply of Scotland's largest culvert order for Cammo Meadows residential development in Edinburgh.
• Cash for Kids West ScotlandminorOthersCharitable partnership with Mission Christmas Cash for Kids appeal. Donation boxes placed in every PDM branch in Scotland to collect toys and gifts for children living in poverty.
• British Heart FoundationminorOthersOfficial charity partnership for 2021 with fundraising goal of £25,000 across all 25 branches. Staff fundraising efforts including cycling challenges.
• MarshallscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey manufacturer partnership for hardscaping products. PDM recognized as main stockholder in Scotland.
• PolypipecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey manufacturer partnership for plastic pipe and drainage systems. PDM recognized as main stockholder in Scotland.
• F.P. McCanncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey manufacturer partnership for precast concrete products including Easi-Base manhole system and box culverts.
• GPS (Gaylin Pipeline Systems)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey manufacturer partnership for utility pipe systems. PDM recognized as main stockholder in Scotland.
• Radius SystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey manufacturer partnership for gas pipe systems. PDM recognized as main stockholder in Scotland.
• Viking JohnsoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey manufacturer partnership for pipe fittings and couplings. PDM recognized as main stockholder in Scotland.
• McAlpinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExtended range of plumbing products including plastic traps, basin and bath wastes, and commercial washroom products. McAlpine known as first choice for qualified plumbers worldwide.
• MarleycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAboveground plumbing and drainage products including PVCu waste systems, soil systems, and acoustic drainage for commercial applications.
• Wrekin ProductscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier of Armadillo protector shells for manhole covers and gully grates, and ClickLift rapid manhole frame raising system.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Travis Perkins: UK's largest builders' merchant with national branch network serving trade customers across general building materials, civils, and plumbing — overlaps PDM directly on trade distribution of drainage, civils, and utility products but at materially larger UK scale.
• Jewson: Saint-Gobain-owned national builders' merchant supplying timber, builders' materials, landscaping, and drainage to trade — directly comparable to PDM on civils and above-ground product mix and competes for the same Scottish contractor accounts.
• Huws Gray: PDM's parent company and one of the UK's largest independent builders' merchants operating 200+ locations across the UK — directly comparable on product range and customer base, and the platform PDM sits within for procurement scale and cross-referral.
• Selco Builders Warehouse: Grafton Group-owned national trade-only builders' merchant with comparable branch-format distribution of building materials, plumbing, and civils — competes for the same trade customer base though with broader DIY-adjacent trade positioning.

Direct peers

• Keyline Builders Merchants: Travis Perkins-owned specialist civils and drainage merchant — the closest direct competitor to PDM in civils heavyside, drainage, and utility products, with a UK-wide footprint that overlaps PDM's Civils & Lintels coverage in England and Wales.
• Burden Bros Agri and Building Supplies: Scotland-focused independent builders' and agricultural merchant supplying building materials, drainage, and landscaping — directly comparable regional competitor with similar Scottish branch footprint and product mix to PDM.
• Buildbase: Former sibling brand to PDM under the same pre-2022 ownership, now merged into Huws Gray in England and Wales — directly comparable product and customer mix, and PDM's historical growth included a 2019 Buildbase merger creating a 25-branch Scotland platform.

Regional players

• Parker Building Supplies: South of England-focused independent builders' merchant with comparable trade distribution model and civils/landscaping product mix, but operating in a different UK geography than PDM's Scotland focus.

Others

• Marshalls plc: Major UK hardscaping and drainage products manufacturer and PDM key supplier — adjacent rather than directly competing, but commercially intertwined as PDM is the recognised main stockholder for Marshalls products in Scotland.
• FP McCann: UK precast concrete manufacturer and PDM key partner on Easi-Base manhole systems and box culverts — adjacent rather than competing, but a critical supply-chain partner on the largest civils specification wins (e.g. Cammo Meadows culvert order).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PDMltd_
• Facebookfacebook.com/PDMinverness

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PDM