Saint-Gobain acquires Benchmark Building Supplies

Founded in 1996, the independent builders’ merchant employs 59 people and trades from six locations around the M60 in Greater Manchester.

Mark Rayfield, chief executive officer of the Saint-Gobain Building Distribution businesses in the UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted to have completed the acquisition of Benchmark Building Supplies and welcome our new colleagues on board. This is our second acquisition in 2016, which demonstrates that despite uncertainty in the market following the recent referendum result, we are proactively seeking opportunities to continue to expand our network, providing customers with greater choice and availability. I’m proud to say that this has been possible due to our confidence in our business model and our people.”

Phill Brown, chairman of Benchmark Building Supplies, added: “This has been a process that I have personally been involved with and is great news for customers and our employees. Saint-Gobain has a proud and successful heritage in the industry and I have been very impressed with their commitment to retain all that has made Benchmark a thriving builders’ merchant in the North West.”

Benchmark Building Supplies is now a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain Building Distribution, and is part of its Local Merchant Group Division. This is home to a number of timber and builders’ merchants across the UK and Ireland, including Gibbs & Dandy and JP Corry.

Neil Lawrence, managing director of the Local Merchant Group, concluded: “The business is very much embedded in the local community, making it a great fit for the Local Merchant Group. It’s great news for customers and employees as Benchmark will continue to provide the excellent service for which it is renowned, while accessing a wider range of services and opportunities available through Saint-Gobain.”