Our Business
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
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1902
William Thomas Chadwick establishes his first business called Chadwicks (Dublin) Limited.
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1930
William Thomas Chadwick acquires Concrete Products of Ireland (CPI).
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1945
William Chadwick dies, leaving his son Terence Chadwick in charge.
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1965
CPI is quoted on the Dublin Stock Exchange, incorporating the Chadwicks business.
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1975
Michael Chadwick joins the business and is appointed to the Board in 1979.
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1981
The Chadwicks branch network throughout Ireland increases to 14.
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1985
Michael Chadwick is appointed Executive Chairman of CPI.
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1987
The Group opens its first DIY retailing store in the Irish market.
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1988
Grafton makes its first UK acquisition, Williams (Southwest).
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1988
The Group changes its name to Grafton Group plc.
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1994
The Group acquires H. Bradley Limited, a plumbing and heating merchant.
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1995
Grafton acquires P.P.S. Mortars, a single plant silo mortar business based in Glasgow.
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1996
The Group acquires R. J. Johnson, its first builders merchanting branch in Great Britain.
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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.
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2002
The number of UK trading outlets exceeds 200.
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2003
Group turnover now exceeds £1 billion. The acquisition of Jacksons Building Centres Limited strengthens Grafton’s position as Britain’s fourth largest merchant.
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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.
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2011
Gavin Slark succeeds Michael Chadwick as CEO.
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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.
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2015
Entry into the Netherlands Distribution Market with the acquisition of Isero BV.
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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.
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2017
The Group acquired Gunters en Meuser, a distributor of tools fixings and ironmongery from 14 branches in the Netherlands.
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2018
The Group acquires Leyland SDM, London’s largest independent specialist decorators’ merchant.
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2017 - 2019
Further expansion in the Netherlands with the acquisition of Gunters en Meuser BV and Polvo BV.
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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.
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2020
The Group adopts a fresh new logo and branding.
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2020
Grafton acquires StairBox, an industry leading UK manufacturer and distributor of bespoke wooden staircases.
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2021
Grafton acquires IKH, one of the largest workwear, personal protective equipment (“PPE”), tools, spare parts and accessories technical wholesalers and distributors in Finland.
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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.
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2022
Eric Born succeeds Gavin Slark as CEO.