Travis Perkins (TP) is to create a network of timber specialists across the Midlands, the merchanting giant has revealed to TTJ.
The company’s plans took a step forward with the acquistion of Shires Timber in Leicester during July and TP’s managing director for the Midlands region Ian Church said he was in negotiations with other acquisition targets.
TP had already purchased Litchfield-based timber importer/merchant Four Oaks Timber earlier this year.
“I have seen this opportunity at both Litchfield and Leicester to add a specialist arm to our merchanting division,” said Mr Church. “Historically, what we have done is to buy a timber merchant and add heavyside building materials and make it a general builders merchant.
“I have identified an opportunity in our business to re-establish our business as a major timber merchant. I am currently in negotiations with one or two more companies and I do see an opportunity to create a network of timber specialists across the Midlands.
“We sell a high volume of wood through the Travis Perkins branch network but most branches give a fairly similar offering of timber.”
Shires, established eight years ago, formed part of a four-strong independent merchant chain in the region. Another business in the chain, Market Harborough-based Carson Fletcher Timber Ltd, has also been taken over – by Gibbs & Dandy.
Mr Church said £2m turnover Shires was in an excellent location in the middle of Leicester and had a good reputation locally.
He said Shires and Four Oaks would not supply stock to the TP branch network but could supply branch customers with timber products not available at the outlets.
“We will be making a significant capital investment in both businesses. We will be enhancing the milling facilities and putting some new kit in,” he said.
