James Latham: building on centuries of strength

Welcome to the latest in our new series of short-format Stock Pitches. Graham recently looked at microfinance firm ASA International, Roland wrote about FTSE 100 home improvement retailer Kingfisher. Today, I’m sticking with the building products theme.

Disclosure: At the time of publication, I have a long position in James Latham PLC.

The Pitch

James Latham (LON:LTHM) is an AIM-listed distributor of timber, panels, and decorative surfaces with a trading history of over 250 years. With a StockRank of 91 and a strong balance sheet, many subscribers will recognise this as a classic quality-value play. Despite recent market headwinds in the UK construction sector, the company's diversified product range, plus long-term and strategic thinking, positions it as a resilient player for patient investors seeking exposure to a sector trading at cyclical lows.

The Big Picture

James Latham can trace its history back to 1757 when the first James Latham began importing hardwoods into Liverpool. While it's not clear if the Latham Family hold a majority of the shares, they are still very significant holders. If the holdings of the various family members are combined, they would represent the largest shareholding in the...