Firm advises on Lancashire builders’ merchants deal

A successful Lancashire-based builders’ merchants with a history stretching back over 80 years has been acquired by a fast-growing independent building supplies firm.

Builders Supplies West Coast Ltd – which operates from sites in Fleetwood, Cleveleys, Morecambe and Preston – has been acquired by Huws Gray.

MHA Moore and Smalley’s corporate finance team advised Builders Supplies West Coast on the transaction. The deal enables further geographic expansion for Huws Gray which has over 100 branches nationwide.

The deal team was led by head of corporate finance Andrew Feeke, supported by Ian Waddingham and Rob Holgate, with David Hackett providing taxation advice.

Matthew Owen, head of acquisitions for the Huws Gray Group, commented: “Builders Supplies West Coast Ltd have always had a commitment to efficient customer service, which fits well with the Huws Gray ethos. We are optimistic about the future, as this represents a fantastic opportunity for us to strengthen our existing presence in North West Lancashire.”  

Owners Peter and Bethan Worthington added: “We would like to thank all our loyal customers and teams for their support over the years, and for making the company the success it is today. We’re confident that Huws Gray will take the business to the next level and we’re pleased to be leaving it in good hands.”

Ian Waddingham, corporate finance senior manager at MHA Moore and Smalley, said: “Builders Supplies West Coast has been a longstanding client of the firm. We’re delighted to have supported the owners to pass on a business they have grown successfully over many years. Crucially, this development means staff and customers alike can continue looking forward to a bright future as part of a dynamic growing business.”

Builders Supplies West Coast was established in 1938 and employs 70 staff across its four locations.

Huws Gray is headquartered in Llangefni, North Wales, where it was established with a single branch in 1990.

It has made a significant number of acquisitions in recent years and grown to become one of the largest independent builders’ merchants in the UK with 1,700 staff and branches across North and Mid-Wales, North West England, and the east of England. Its other North West branches include Bolton, Wigan, Southport and St Helens.

Huws Gray is backed by private equity firm Inflexion which made a minority investment in the business in April 2018.