French interest in BHT Group

French building materials group Saint Gobain is tipped to boost its Irish presence through a takeover of Tubs and Tiles owner, BHT Group.

KPMG was appointed examiner to the ailing €32m debt-laden BHT business in February, after which a number of potential buyers were speculated upon — including the Dublin-headquartered Grafton Group.

The name of Saint Gobain — which owns a number of Irish-based businesses, including the Northern-based bathroom seller, Bassetts and the plasterboard specialist, Gypsum Industries — cropped up at the weekend.