Richard Burbidge Group buys FW Mason

The Richard Burbidge Group has acquired mouldings manufacturer FW Masons from administrators for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition saves 78 jobs at Mason’s plant at Colwick, Nottingham.

FW Mason had been in administration since March after been hit by rising fuel costs, a lack of finance to modernise the business and loss of long-standing customers to the multiples.

The Richard Burbidge Group said the company has been renamed Masons Timber Products Ltd and will come under the management influence of its other independent subsidiary Atkinson & Kirby.

The group has stressed that the Masons business will remain in Nottingham and operate independently, with an expectation of £10m annual sales.

“Masons is a long-established and well-respected brand in the timber trade and the employees have done a great job during very difficult circumstances,” said Ray Scott from Atkinson & Kirby.

“The business has a solid future in Nottingham with our investment and Masons can concentrate on its traditional strength of providing high quality service to customers throughout the country.

“Masons is now part of a portfolio of timber companies which are privately owned and date back over 125 years, so we are confident we have the experience and skills to make the company successful again.”

Auctioneer and valuer Charterfields, which was appointed by administrator the P&A Partnership to find a buyer for the business, said FW Mason & Sons was well known within the industry and at one time supplied many of the DIY chains.

“Though trade had suffered as a result of international competition, it has retained a strong client base of independent retailers. The business attracted keen interest from both trade buyers and potential investors throughout the UK.

“The acquisition will allow the buyer to further extend its client base in this part of the market and also provide it with additional expertise.”

Masons, established in 1929, also manufactures a range of other timber products, primarily for independent merchants and DIY retailers.