International Decorative Surfaces (IDS) has entered into a conditional contract to buy certain assets and business of Boards Leeds Ltd, trading as BCL.

The deal follows hard on the heels of SCA Timber‘s acquisition of BCL Group‘s Stoke-on-Trent central distribution site for an undisclosed sum.

It is anticipated the transaction will be completed on or around June 16 and will enable IDS to build on its core activities of laminates, MFC, worktops and flooring distribution.

IDS managing director John Bagshaw said: “BCL is a good strategic fit for the IDS business with their product portfolio and their approach to managing leading brand names.

&#8220Culturally there is a great deal of common ground between the two businesses and many synergies in the style of trading”

IDS managing director John Bagshaw

“Culturally there is a great deal of common ground between the two businesses and many synergies in the style of trading. The two businesses will fit well together through our understanding of brand management, customer service, logistics and distribution.”

BCL, which employs around 300 people, had three distribution sites in Stoke, Beckton and Leeds, plus a manufacturing business in Leeds providing a cut to size and cut and edge service. IDS has nine distribution sites across the UK including its recently opened depot in Rosyth, Scotland.

Three principal directors of BCL – Steve Ryley, Martyn Weller and Colin Singleton – will join IDS. Mr Ryley, who now takes up the position of managing director of Boards Leeds, said: “The deal gives us financial stability, investment and strength to develop the business successfully within the IDS organisation. I do not see this as a sad ending but very much a new beginning.”