this is a wonderful opportunity to acquire one of the uk’s leading independent chains of builders merchants who specialize in the supply of architectural ironmongery. They have traded successfully since their small and humble beginnings in 1995 to become a major player in the uk ironmongery industry. The company has four branches located in east yorkshire, south yorkshire and two in lincolnshire each with their own warehouse, showroom and trade counter. Each branch is serviced and replenished from the company’s own central warehouse on a daily basis. The branches are all logged on to, a sophisticated and computerized, centrally controlled buying system, with each branch having the ability to perform inter company transfers within a twenty four hour period. The business prides themselves on their vast choice of architectural ironmongery with over six thousand lines in stock and over twenty eight thousand lines to choose from. The lines are all featured in the company’s own comprehensive annual catalogue with virtually everything you ever needed to choose from including door furniture, hinges, door controls both access and exit controls, special needs locking devices, signs and general hardware. They also provide a secondary catalogue which features generable consumables for the building industry such as hand tools, power tools, sealants, adhesives, fixings, fastenings, and domestic cleaning products, this is a company that is held in high regard within the building and ironmongery industry. They are the number one choice for architects, developers, design and build companies, builders and self builds alike. They have been involved over the years on number of different projects both large and small for hospitals, schools, colleges, universities, hotels, prisons and office block developments. During this time the company has continually kept up to speed with european legislation changes and pride themselves on being able to provide their clients with the most accurate and up to the minute advice and knowledge available. Each year the company produces a comprehensive bound colour catalogue which is used by their customers as an industry “bible” featuring everything that you would ever need in architectural ironmongery and associated products. The catalogue is now available to download on line opening up a whole new market place of customers for the company going forward. This is an all year round, well run and well managed, forward thinking company. They are profitable with a history of growth over the years and have a huge database of clients, many of which buy from the business on a daily and weekly basis. All of the branches are well located in busy industrial areas and each branch has a busy trade counter for daily cash and account sales. This is a wonderful opportunity to acquire a well established business that has huge growth and “roll out” potential throughout the uk in the coming years. Equipment all of the fixtures, fittings, vehicles and computer system and software are included in the sale of the business. Also included in the sale is the head office branch and warehouse lease which the company purchased and has until 2060 to run (circa 50 yrs) customer service: the company has a huge database of thousands of customers which are contacted on a regular basis with up to date news ranging from new lines in stock to changes in legislation. The company are extremely pro-active in their marketing providing two annual catalogues to their major customers plus cd’s, bespoke ring binders and loose leaflets. The catalogues are divided into two, with one being the companies own architectural ironmongery lines and the other general consumables for the building industry. Both catalogues are available for download on line. The company have a small fleet of liveried vans and also sponsor and advertise at an english premier league football club, entertaining clients on match days. Key strengths: this is a well established and well run company that has committed itself to year on year investment in all of its branches and locations as well as its product offering and an ongoing training programme for its staff. The company have created a “brand identity” which is highly visible and recognisable in everything that they do, from van livery to printed matter to signage and marketing. Each of the branches receives stock into its own warehouse with the added bonus of being able to utilise a sophisticated inter branch transfer system for goods needed in a hurry. The company works with a computerised buying system which allows all of the branches to view the company stock situation at any time of the day. They offer their customers a next day delivery service throughout the uk although they predominately supply across the north east of the uk. There is a showroom with corporate identity at each branch were customers can see a vast array of lines on display and talk to one of the highly trained and knowledgeable staff who can help and advise as to the customers precise requirements. All of the branches have a trade counter were immediate purchases can be acquired or placed on to their account. The company deals with all of the major manufactures in the uk and has an excellent supply chain with good relationships built up over a number of years. The business is the largest of its type in the north east and has a huge database of clients, many of which are blue chip. The company has grown since its humble beginnings and has blossomed into a slick and sophisticated operation priding itself on becoming a superb service provider offering an unbeatable choice of product range with genuinely interested and helpful staff. Within each branch there is a highly qualified and trained member of staff who the company has invested in to become a specialist in architectural ironmongery. Each of these members of staff has attended courses over three years to gain qualifications at the guild of architectural ironmongers, gai, dip to level three qualification. This enables each branch to be able to advise and deal with major contractors, architects and local authorities, safe in the knowledge that they are always dealing with an expert in their field on both legislation and fit for purpose product. Growth and expansion this is a profitable business that has been built on sound foundations, huge effort and wise investment. The business is primed for expansion and new owners could easily roll out this successful format of the company to other areas throughout the uk. The owners understand the need to keep driving the business forward and are currently upgrading their internet site and developing the facility for on line purchasing which will help to increase turnover and profit.
| Ownership: |
no |
| Lease: |
yes |
| Lease terms: |
Branch 1 – Head Office in East Yorkshire – 10,000 square feet in total with a lease to run until 2060 (circa 50 years) Lease last valued at £185,000, which is include in the total sale cost of the business.
• Branch 2 – Lincolnshire - 9,000 square feet in total with a rolling lease and no time scale, rent of £21,000 per annum
• Branch 3 – Lincolnshire – 5,200 square feet in total. Lease Nov expiry 2019 and rent of £27,000 per annum
• Branch 4 – South Yorkshire – 7,500 square feet in total. Lease Feb 2018 expiry and rent of £40,000 per annum |
| Location: |
There are four branch locations, one in East Yorkshire, one in South Yorkshire and two in Lincolnshire, each one in a busy industrial location. Each branch has its own offices, showroom, trade counter and warehouse with varying sizes.
• Branch 1 – Head Office in East Yorkshire – 10,000 square feet in total with a lease to run until 2060 (circa 50 years) Lease last valued at £185,000, which is include in the total sale cost of the business.
• Branch 2 – Lincolnshire - 9,000 square feet in total with a rolling lease and no time scale, rent of £21,000 per annum
• Branch 3 – Lincolnshire – 5,200 square feet in total. Lease Nov expiry 2019 and rent of £27,000 per annum
• Branch 4 – South Yorkshire – 7,500 square feet in total. Lease Feb 2018 expiry and rent of £40,000 per annum |
