Grafton Group
Ireland-based builders merchant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Grafton Group plc is a builders merchants business headquartered in Ireland and operating in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange, and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.
| |
| Type | Public limited company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Building materials |
| Founded | 1902 |
| Headquarters | Dublin, Ireland[1] |
Key people | Michael Roney (Chairman) Eric Born (CEO) |
| Revenue |  € 2,519.6 million (2025)[2] |
| € 174.8 million (2025)[2] | |
| € 136.6 million (2025)[2] | |
| Website | graftonplc.com |
History
Early years (1902–1987)
In 1902, William Thomas Chadwick established a builders' merchants and building contractors business in Dublin. It was incorporated as Chadwicks (Dublin) Ltd in 1909.[3][4]
In 1930, Chadwick acquired a roof tile and concrete block manufacturing business in Dublin.[5][4] He registered that business as Concrete Products of Ireland Ltd in 1931.[6][7]
Concrete Products of Ireland Ltd became a public limited company (plc) and incorporated Chadwicks (Dublin) Ltd in 1965, and building materials company Marley increased its holding in the company to 51%.[7] Michael Chadwick bought out Marley and renamed the business Grafton Group in 1987.[7]
Expansion in Ireland and the UK (1988–2012)
In 1988, Concrete Products of Ireland plc changed its name to Grafton Group plc.[4]
In March 1998, it bought British Dredging, a United Kingdom builders merchants including the Selco chain.[8] In February 2003, it bought Jackson Building Centres, another British builders merchants, based in Lincolnshire.[7]
In October 2003, it also bought Plumbline, Scotland's largest independent plumbers merchants.[9] In June 2004, it bought Heiton Group, Ireland’s largest independent plumbers merchants.[10] In December 2006, it then bought Plumbworld, one of the United Kingdom’s largest online bathroom retailers.[11]
Recent developments (2013–present)
In August 2013, it bought Wearside builders' merchant Thompsons,[12] in October 2013, it bought Binje Ackermans, a Brussels based merchanting operation,[13] and in December 2013, Grafton Group opened ten showrooms, and launched a brand new website called Bohen, which focuses on the bathroom, kitchen and bedroom industry.[14]
Then in September 2014, it bought Direct Builders Merchants, a general merchanting business based in Kent[15] and in December 2014, it bought Crescent Building Supplies, a builders' merchant based in Ruislip.[16] In March 2015, it bought TG Lynes, a distributor of mechanical engineering products,[17] in January 2016, it bought T Brewer, a timber distributor based in London,[18] and in March 2016, it bought Allsand Supplies, a general builders' merchant located in Kent.[19]
In January 2022 the company announced the completion of the sale of its merchanting business in the UK to Huws Gray for £520m. Businesses sold include Buildbase, Civils & Lintels, PDM Buildbase, The Timber Group, Bathroom Distribution Group, Frontline and NDI Brands.[20]
Operations
The company currently owns four physical "bricks and mortar" businesses, Woodie's DIY, Civils and Lintels, Selco and Jacksons brands.[21] It also has a number of businesses that trade exclusively online.[22]