THE MONTH Huws Gray buys Ridgeons


Acquisitive Angeley-based builders merchant Huws Gray has made its biggest purchase to date with the acquisition of East Anglian independent Ridgeons. As a result, Ridgeons has resigned its membership of the independent buying groups PHG and Fortis, with effect from January 2019.


Managing director Terry Owen told suppliers that it is the company’s intnetion “to ensure a consistent buying approach across the entire Huws Gray Ridgeons Group and ensure we remain flexible, straight forward and competitive across the whole organisation as we embark on the next chapter of our exciting journey.”


The purchase of Ridgeons adds 40 branches to Huws Gray’s 62-branch empire which stretches across Wales and the north west of England, as far down as Herfordshire, Erdington


in Birmingham and Derby. The group’s turnover in 2017 was £182.6m.


This is Huws Gray’s fifth


acquisition in six months and makes them comfortably the UK’s fifth largest merchant, behind Travis Perkins, Saint Gobain, Wolseley and Grafton and ahead of MKM. The investment was made by affiliated funds advised by Inflexion Private Equity Partners LLP.


Owen said: “The acquisition of Ridgeons represents a real milestone for our company as we become the largest independent builders merchants in the UK. Ridgeons is an excellent business with a genuine leadership position in its region and is a perfect addition to Huws Gray’s growing footprint.”


Gordon Ridgeon, on behalf of the Ridgeon family, added: “Our priority was to find a new owner for Ridgeons with the same culture and values. We are confident that


Encon makes Sunday Times list


Insulation distributor Encon Group has been ranked 98th in the 14th annual Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 League Table.


The index lists the top 250 private mid-market growth companies in Britain who have achieved the biggest sales.


Inclusion means Encon ranks alongside businesses such as housebuilders the Stewart Milne Group, Keepmoat Homes, as well as Waterstones, Holland and Barrett.


In 2018, Encon’s sales are up 13% to £258 million, but the rising margins since 2014 have seen


profits more than triple, to £13.5 million.


Stuart Moore – Encon chief executive said: “The previous few months have been positive for our business, despite the building industry still experiencing a slight nervousness with investors and political uncertainty.”


Rowlinson Timber in south east move


Rowlinson Timber has estabished a main distribution hub in the South East, on the back of large/ sustained and successful growth over the last few years.


From 1st January 2019 its main operations will be based from the Port of Sheerness, Kent, working in collaboration with Peel Ports. “Due to our continued successful growth we have been


6


experiencing nationally, the decision to open a distribution port in the South East was a natural progression for the company,” sales director Darren Hill said.


Managing director Richard Smith added: “Sheerness is the perfect location to service our southern based customers with the site consisting of over


400 acres, and a constant 11m of water on all its berths. The potential for further growth with existing and new customers makes for a very exciting new chapter in the continued expansion of Rowlinson Timber Ltd”. Rowlinson Timber Ltd will continue to manage its northern hub from P.D Ports, Groveport in North East Lincolnshire.


Brick industry moves up a gear


August 2018 saw 21% more bricks being produced in the UK compared with August 2017, according to the latest ONS figures for brick production in the UK. That represents a 39% rise on August 2016, showing consistent growth resulting from increased capacity across the sector. “There has been considerable comment on brick supply issues over the last two years,” says Brick Development Association’s Tom Farmer. “The industry has proved remarkably responsive to increased demand, with all the major players investing to increase production capacity.


“The supply chain is also importing stock from the EU in order to bolster supply in the short term. It is heartening to see UK manufacturing making long-term investments.”


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net November 2018


in Huws Gray we have found a like-minded owner who will


further strengthen the Ridgeon brand and continue to build on the success of the past 107 years.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52