Selco colleagues

Our Business

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Introduction by Gavin Slark, Chief Executive Officer

Grafton is an international trade focused, multi-channel distributor of construction products. The success of the business is based on the quality of the products it distributes and the quality of the service it provides to its customers. The Group aims to build on its leading market positions in the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands and Finland and to grow internationally in distribution and related markets.

Our History

  • 1902

    1902

    William Thomas Chadwick establishes his first business called Chadwicks (Dublin) Limited. ​

  • 1930

    1930

    ​William Thomas Chadwick acquires Concrete Products of Ireland (CPI).

  • 1945

    1945

    William Chadwick dies, leaving his son Terence Chadwick in charge.

  • 1965

    1965

    CPI is quoted on the Dublin Stock Exchange, incorporating the Chadwicks business.

  • 1975

    1975

    Michael Chadwick joins the business and is appointed to the Board in 1979.

  • 1981

    1981

    The Chadwicks branch network throughout Ireland increases to 14.

  • 1985

    1985

    Michael Chadwick is appointed Executive Chairman of CPI.

  • 1987

    1987

    The Group opens its first DIY retailing store in the Irish market.

  • 1988

    1988

    Grafton makes its first UK acquisition, Williams (Southwest).

  • 1988 - 2

    1988

    The Group changes its name to Grafton Group plc.

  • 1994

    1994

    The Group acquires H. Bradley Limited, a plumbing and heating merchant.

  • 1995

    1995

    Grafton acquires P.P.S. Mortars, a single plant silo mortar business based in Glasgow.

  • 1996

    1996

    The Group acquires R. J. Johnson, its first builders merchanting branch in Great Britain.

  • 1998

    1998

    The UK expands substantially with the acquisition of British Dredging plc, the first time that an Irish company acquires a listed UK plc. This acquisition included Selco which traded from five branches.

  • 2002

    ​2002

    The number of UK trading outlets exceeds 200.

  • 2003

    2003

    Group turnover now exceeds £1 billion. The acquisition of Jacksons Building Centres Limited strengthens Grafton’s position as Britain’s fourth largest merchant.

  • 2005

    ​2005

    Grafton acquires Heiton Group plc in Ireland for a total of €359 million in cash and shares. This business includes, among others, the No.1 builders merchanting operation and the No.2 DIY retailing brand in Ireland.

  • 2011

    ​2011

    Gavin Slark succeeds Michael Chadwick as CEO.

  • 2013

    2013

    Listing moves from the Dublin Stock Exchange to a sole listing on the London Stock Exchange. David Arnold succeeds Colm O’Nualláin as CFO who retired after 23 years in the role.

  • 2015

    ​2015

    Entry into the Netherlands Distribution Market with the acquisition of Isero BV.

  • 2016 - 2017

    2016 - 2017

    Retirement of Michael Chadwick as Chairman and Director after 41 years with the Group. Michael Roney joins Board in May 2016 as Chairman Designate and assumes the role of Chairman on 1 January 2017.

  • 2017

    2017

    ​The Group acquired Gunters en Meuser, a distributor of tools fixings and ironmongery from 14 branches in the Netherlands.

  • 2018

    ​2018

    The Group acquires Leyland SDM, London’s largest independent specialist decorators’ merchant.

  • 2017 - 2019

    2017 - 2019

    Further expansion in the Netherlands with the acquisition of Gunters en Meuser BV and Polvo BV.

  • 2019

    2019

    ​Grafton announced on 30 August 2019 that it had entered into a conditional agreement for the sale of its Belgian merchanting business.  The transaction completed on 4 October 2019.

  • 2020

    2020

    The Group adopts a fresh new logo and branding.

  • 2020

    2020

    ​Grafton acquires StairBox, an industry leading UK manufacturer and distributor of bespoke wooden staircases.

  • 2021

    2021

    ​Grafton acquires IKH, one of the largest workwear, personal protective equipment (“PPE”), tools, spare parts and accessories technical wholesalers and distributors in Finland.

  • 2021

    2021

    ​​Grafton agreed to divest its Traditional Merchanting Business in GB to Huws Gray and included the Buildbase, Civils & Lintels, PDM Buildbase, The Timber Group, Bathroom Distribution Group, Frontline and NDI brands.

  • 2022

    2022

    ​Eric Born succeeds Gavin Slark as CEO.