United Merchants plc (Unimer) has acquired a 10% equity stake in on-line trading business eBuildingsupplies.
Unimer said it had been considering how to develop an involvement in on-line trading of building materials for some time, as it sought to offer members new opportunities and provide innovative routes to market. It said electronic trading was a clear growth area for its members.
eBuildingsupplies advertisies building materials on line nationally, but the supply of products is sub-contracted to a network of regionally-based builders’ merchants around the country.
“All of the existing merchant suppliers are already Unimer members and the aim of Unimer’s involvement is to increase the level of involvement with our merchant membership so that a comprehensive national supply network develops that can respond competitively to all enquiries generated by the trading portal,” Unimer said.
Unimer’s investment in the business is limited to provision of book-keeping services and marketing.
Meanwhile, Unimer said it will be targeting the self-build and home renovating sector by promoting its membership at the Home Improvement Show at Earls Court on October 1-3.
