Grafton acquires builders group in UK

Grafton Group has extended its presence in the UK through the acquisition of a three-branch builders merchanting business in the south-east of England.

The purchase of Direct Builders Merchants — which generated revenues of nearly £5m (€6m) last year and operates three general merchanting branches in towns across Kent — marks the Dublin-based builders supply group’s second UK bolt-on acquisition this year.

No financial details of the transaction were provided but the deal, which comes less than a week after Grafton published a strong set of first-half figures, has been well-received by analysts.