Grafton increases South East footprint through bolt-on acquisition

Builder merchant and DIY group Grafton has bought South East-focused business Direct Builders Merchants for an undisclosed sum.

Builder merchant and DIY group Grafton has bought South East-focused business Direct Builders Merchants for an undisclosed sum.

The FTSE 250-listed company, which has operations in the UK, Ireland and Belgium, said the bolt-on purchase "improves the group's coverage of the merchanting market in Kent and the South East of England".

Direct Builders Merchants, which trades from three branches located in Sittingbourne, Whitstable and Ashford in Kent, generated revenues of £4.8m in 2013.

Revenues at Grafton totalled £1.9bn last year, with UK merchanting accounting for £1.4bn of sales.

BC