Grafton buy out North East builders merchants

Builders and plumbers merchants, Grafton have bought North East company Thompson Building Centres.

Grafton Merchanting have announced that they have acquired the trade and certain assets of Thompson Building Centres and Thompson Associated Plumbing Supplies (TAPS).

The deal means that the 20 Thompson staff retained after the company fell into administration will transfer to Grafton.

The agreement comprises the four existing branches of Thompson Building Centres, located in Sunderland, Durham, Newcastle and Gateshead as well as a site in South Shields, which was closed prior to the administration.

TAPS Plumbing & Heating Supplies is also included in the acquisition with a standalone store in Birtley and at branches within the builders merchants sites.

Thompson fell into administration at the beginning of March 2013 with KPMG taking on the joint administration of A Thompsons & Sons builders merchants and sister company TAPS.

Mark Firmin, joint administrator and regional head of restructuring at KPMG said:“We are pleased to have secured a sale that preserves this well known business and offers employment opportunities for local people.

“We wish Grafton Merchanting well for the future.”

Thompson will become part of Grafton’s Buildbase division, which is one of the UK’s fastest growing builders merchants.

The acquisition will widen the company’s area of operation, enabling it to trade for the first time in the North East.

Thompson will become part of Grafton’s Buildbase division, which is one of the UK’s fastest growing builders merchants. The acquisition will widen the company’s area of operation, enabling it to trade for the first time in the North East.

Mark Kelly, CEO at Grafton Merchanting GB Ltd said: “We are delighted to enter a new region and have the opportunity to turnaround a long-standing business which once stood proud in the local community.

“It has been a challenging period for Thompson, but our intention is to restore and enhance the business to the benefit of all involved.

“We will be looking to recruit former Thompson employees and rebuild teams.

“There will be opportunities for people to join a well established, successful and forward thinking company, which are greatly enhanced by being part of a larger group.

“We offer a fantastic management development programme and online learning with good career prospects.

“We will be investing heavily to rejuvenate and improve branches.

“Core suppliers will be reengaged and shelves will be restocked over the next few weeks so that we can reinstate the high levels of service and goods that Thompson’s has long been known for.

“Existing customer accounts will be transferred so that we can quickly and seamlessly support those who have had to look further afield for their building and plumbing materials.

“We will also look to attract and warmly welcome new customers to the business.

“This is an exciting time for all involved, a hugely positive step and we look forward to becoming part of the community.”

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