Building supplies firm expands Shropshire business portfolio
A building supplies firm in Shropshire has been taken over by a national company for an undisclosed sum.
Shropshire Building Supplies, which has five branches around the county, has been taken over by Huws Gray, adding to the chain's 41 outlets in Wales, the north west and across the county.
The buyout is the latest in a string of quick-fire acquisitions by the company, which has already taken over seven businesses in the last six months, including Minera Building Supplies at Wrexham.
Shropshire Building Supplies, which is recognisable for its logo – a helmet-wearing beaver – has building supplies branches at Leebotwood, Ludlow, Shrewsbury, Newport and a plumbing supplies outlet on Shrewsbury's Battlefield Enterprise Park.
Huws Gray, based in Anglesey, already has branches in the county at Monkmoor Road in Shrewsbury and St Georges in Telford. In Mid Wales it has outlets at Llandrindod Wells and Llanidloes.
Liverpool-based law firm Weightmans advised on the deal, having also supported Huws Gray in the 40 acquisitions it has completed during the last 20 years.
The company has not yet said whether it will retain the Shropshire Building Supplies branding or what it means for staff.
Terry Owen, managing director of Huws Gray, said: "This is a significant acquisition for Huws Gray. We are extremely excited about this deal and the future.
"We have known the family for a number of years and we are extremely privileged to be in a situation to acquire such a well-respected independent merchant and we would like to thank the director Ian Beaver for his cooperation during this acquisition."
Ian Vicary, corporate partner at Weightmans' Liverpool office, said they were delighted Huws Gray Limited had completed a "key strategic acquisition for them".
He said: "It is always a pleasure working with Terry and the team.
"It is always encouraging to see so many businesses actively seeking to join what is an ever expanding but still personal and popular business."
Huws Gray has also extended its partnership with Hope House until the end of 2016. Last year the company raised £75,620 for the children's hospice.
