Huws Gray buys Ainscough

Independent builders merchant Huws Gray has bought Ainscough Building Supplies in Wigan.

This latest acquisition takes the number of Huws Gray locations throughout North Wales, Shropshire and the North West to 31.

The branch network, employing more than 350 people, covers a wide area ranging from Pwllheli to Bolton and from Tywyn in mid Wales to Telford, with the Head Office located in Llangefni on Anglesey.

Huws Gray managing director Terry Owen said: “As a company we are always looking for opportunities to extend our branch network and firmly believe that Ainscough Building Supplies is a perfect fit for us in terms of location and business potential.”

“Bringing Ainscough Building Supplies on board, alongside our existing locations in Burscough and Bolton, enhances and significantly strengthens our presence in Lancashire.”

Ainscough Building Supplies will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Huws Gray and will continue to trade under its current name, the first time that Huws Gray has operated an acquisition in this way.

Huws Gray has ambitious targets to hit a turnover of £100m in the next few years and the purchase of Ainscough in Wigan is part of that plan.

Ainscough was a partner in NBG LLP, the independent builders merchant buying group which Huws Gray left at the beginning of this year because its expansion plans would be at odds with the rest of the group partners.

NBG executive chairman Allan Durning told buildersmerchantsjournal.net: “We wish Huws Gray all the best with their new acquisition. The industry needs a strong independent sector and this will help Huws Gray to achieve their expansion aims.”