Commercial law firm Thrings, which has an office in Bristol, has completed the sale of Avonmouth-based builders’ merchants Ashmead Building Supplies to Bradfords, one of the industry’s largest operators.
Ashmead, which also has a branch in Devon, has been trading for more than 35 years and specialises in supplying general building materials including drainage, timber, aggregates and landscaping products. It employs 14 staff.
Yeovil-based Bradfords has 45 branches across the South West and West Midlands.
The transaction was led by Thrings company commercial partner Alex Pyatt and solicitor Sarah Ellis, who advised Tony Swain, managing director of Ashmead Building Supplies, and his team on all strategic and legal matters.
This included managing the due diligence process, liaising with multiple shareholders and limiting the seller’s liability under carefully negotiated warranties.
Finance and tax advice was provided by director Laura Green and tax specialist Sarah Thornber of Bath and Melksham-based accountancy firm O’Hara Wood.
Bradfords Building Supplies received legal advice was advised by Clarke Willmott.
Bradfords Building Supplies specialises in the supply of building materials and products – including roofing, drainage, timber, doors and windows, tools, bricks, ironmongery, kitchens and bathrooms – for more than 240 years.
Under the terms of the transaction, all Ashmead staff will join Bradfords. Meanwhile Tony Swain will retire from the company after 31 years’ service.
Tony Swain said: “I am very pleased that Ashmead has become part of the Bradfords family. With the resources of a large independent, reputable, and well-founded company, I know that it will thrive in the years to come.
“My thanks go to the directors, staff, suppliers, and customers who have all contributed to the growth and success of Ashmead over the past 36 years, and who should all benefit from this important development.”
Alex Pyatt added: “Ashmead Building Supplies is a well-respected family-run business which has built a strong reputation for proving an efficient, knowledgeable and friendly service to customers in the south of England for more than 35 years.
“Due to Bradfords’ solid financial foundation and extensive distribution network, this transaction will help secure the long-term future of Ashmead Building Supplies and its staff while ensuring its customers benefit from an even wider range of high-quality building materials and services.”
Pictured, from left: Tony Swain of Ashmead Building Supplies; Sarah Ellis and Alex Pyatt from Thrings; Laura Green and Sarah Thornber from O’Hara Wood 
