EH Smith acquires Builders Supply Stores Ltd

In their 100th year of trading, EH Smith has acquired Coventry-based Builders Supply Stores Ltd.

Privately-owned family run merchant EH Smith currently employs around 450 staff. Founded in Birmingham in 1922, EH Smith have always had strong roots in the area including 10 of its 13 trading locations and Head Office still situated in the East and West Midlands.

Similar to EH Smith, Builders Supply Stores are a family run builders’ merchant. They have been trading in Coventry since 1931 and are run by the third generation of the Ballinger family. Builders Supply Stores employ 28 staff over their two sites in Spon End and Aintree Close in Coventry.

EH Smith’s managing director, Mark Setchell, said: “We are delighted to welcome our colleagues from Builders Supply Stores into the group. The location in Coventry is a natural fit within our existing geography, strengthening our service offering to our customers. We look forward to working closely with them throughout the transition period to ensure this is a smooth process for all staff and customers.”

Julian Ballinger, director at Builders Supply Stores, added: “Having taken the decision to retire, after running the company for over forty years, the directors felt that EH Smith represented the best future for the business, our staff and customers. We feel comfortable that our organisation is in good hands for many more years to come.”