Builders suppliers Grafton Group is planning to expand its presence in Europe.

Grafton Group is expected to keep expanding its presence in the Netherlands after announcing a deal which will significantly boost its market share in the country.

Grafton Group chief Gavin Slark has said there is nothing in the business’ half-year financial results “suggesting we have medium-term issues”, adding that management sees the uncertainty around Brexit being a short-term threat.

Builders merchanting business, Grafton Group has expressed confidence in its Irish operations continuing to grow, amid concern over its core UK business in the aftermath of Britain’s decision to leave the EU.

Shares in Dublin-headquartered builders merchanting business Grafton Group slipped yesterday as the UK-focused company warned that Brexit uncertainty is negatively affecting its trade at present.

Michael Chadwick is to leave Grafton Group — the Dublin-based international builders merchanting business he led for nearly 30 years — at the end of this year.

Irish-headquartered builders’ merchants and DIY firm Grafton Group have bought a market leading Dutch company in its biggest ever deal in Continental Europe.

The full effects of the Central Bank’s mortgage lending restrictions are yet to be felt but underlying demand for homes offers the potential of strong growth for builders’ merchants.

Grafton, the Dublin-headquartered builders merchanting and DIY retail group, is actively reviewing opportunities to expand its operational presence in western Europe.

Irish headquartered building materials group and Woodies owner Grafton Group made a pre-tax profit of £101.2m (€142.5m) last year as the Irish and UK economies continued to improve.

Builders, merchanting, and DIY group Grafton increased revenues by almost 10% last year, helped by exposure to the recovering construction sectors in Ireland and the UK.

Builders’ merchants and DIY firm Grafton Group increased revenues by just over 10% to the end of October, according to its interim management statement released yesterday.

Builders’ merchants group Grafton expects its Irish operations to contribute significantly to its overall growth in the coming three-to-five years.

Building merchants’ group Grafton believes recovery in the construction sector will be led by small contractors who are seeing a pick up in business.

The Grafton group is considering moving its listing to London in what would be another huge blow for the Irish Stock Exchange.

Building materials and DIY group Grafton said it is willing to make “a very significant contribution” in order to lower its near €280m pension deficit.

Irish building materials group, Grafton, has said it is open to making acquisitions this year, but only at the right value.

GRAFTON Group, owners of Woodies DIY stores, has emerged from the recessions in Ireland and Britain with its balance sheet well intact.

GRAFTON Group has announced that Gavin Slark is to take over as chief executive on July 1. He will succeed Michael Chadwick who has been executive chairman since 1985.