Liverpool-based importer and merchant Vincent Murphy & Co Ltd has bought merchant Vickers Timber Co Ltd for an undisclosed sum and will now transfer its Purfleet, Essex, operation to the latter’s Brentwood site.
The company has acquired Vickers’ assets, business and its half-acre freehold premises.
‘This means we now own a site in the south-east, whereas to date we’ve only leased,’ said Vincent Murphy managing director Neil Dixon. ‘The move was largely prompted by the cost of the Purfleet rent. Buying Vickers enables us to maintain and strengthen our south-east presence.’
Vincent Murphy expects to complete the move out of Purfleet, where it’s been for 14 years, around the end of June.
The Vickers name will continue with the business, adding timbers from Vincent Murphy to its range. The Vincent Murphy business itself will operate alongside, continuing to offer its current range of hardwood, clear softwoods and panel products.
The five-strong Vickers team will be retained, but nine of Vincent Murphy’s 14 Purfleet staff are to be made redundant in the move.
