Stax Trade Centres – the UK’s biggest non-food cash & carry wholesaler & trade supplier – has acquired the business of hardware and ironmongery manufacturer M.P. Smith and Co. Ltd.
M.P. Smith was established in the mid-70s and using the brand name SECURIT®, has been a longstanding market leader in the UK ironmongery sector. Company founder, Mike Smith, was very keen that any sale would ensure that the company name and reputation would continue after his retirement.
The company has been supplying Stax for many years and the acquisition will serve to boost Stax’ supply chain. Both companies will continue to be run as separate businesses.
Stax Purchasing Director, Simon Wright, said: “Although this is great news for both Stax and M.P. Smith, it will be very much business as usual for everyone involved,”
“M.P. Smith has been a supplier to Stax for over 30 years, and it will continue to operate and supply the wholesale trade exactly as it has done previously,” adds Simon. “Customers of M.P. Smith will continue to receive the same great service they’re used to from the existing team.”
“Making M.P. Smith part of the wider Stax organisation simply makes our supply chain even more robust and allows us to continue offering our retail and trade customers a very successful range of hardware and security products under the SECURIT® brand.”
This latest move is another example of Stax investing in the market in order to support independent retailers and tradespeople across the UK.
“We promise to give our customers more choice and more value, safeguarding the SECURIT® brand is another example of this customer centric strategy in action” adds Simon.
Source : Insight DIY Team