Jul 27, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. Travis Perkins plc has reported a 7.3% rise in pre-tax profits for the first six months but says the exceptionally wet weather wiped around GBP 10 million off its results, as TTJ reported. Chief executive Geoff Cooper said the prolonged period of rain affected the heavyside business in particular - a market that was already "struggling to recover to more normal levels". Despite this, the company's four divisions continued to take like-for-like market share, he said. Travis Perkins' pre-tax profits rose to GBP 137 million on revenue up 2.7% at GBP 2.41 billion. Merchant market volumes fell by 4%, although housebuilders reported better prices and forward order books for new build. However, in consumer markets, volumes were down by at least 10%. The company's outlook for the rest of the year is unchanged as it expects its gross margin and overhead actions to mitigate the slightly weaker market volumes. "Our focus on improving operating margins and increasing return on capital has been rewarded during the first half and we believe that it will enable us to continue to outperform our overall market for the rest of the year," the company said. Travis Perkins have been supplying building materials to the trade for over 200 years and we are now one of the largest suppliers to the UK’s building and construction industry with a national network of more than 600 branches.