Family-owned Rowlinson Group has sold its three builders’ merchants depots to Buildbase. The sale does not affect other group companies, including softwood importer and wholesaler Rowlinson Timber which has announced further expansion to service its growing commercial suc-cess.
Rowlinson Group established its merchanting division 15 years ago and turnover has increased to around £9m – making it an attractive acquisition target. Although a profitable business, it was never the Rowlinson family’s intention to add depots throughout the country, and their assessment that future success would require a larger chain of depots was the major factor in the decision to sell.
Meanwhile Rowlinson Timber continues to deliver a strong performance – with a 50% increase in traded volumes for the current period compared with the last. This growth, which follows a similar rise in the previous year, has led the company to double its UK stockholding capacity and take on additional staff.
Key to Rowlinson Timber’s success is its ability to maintain UK landed stocks in comprehensive specifications. The procurement expertise of sister company Baltic Connexions ensures regular shiploads continue to arrive – despite the current widely reported difficulties with log availability affecting supplier sawmills.
“Our goal is not to be the biggest but to be the best, by offering continuity of supply, reliable quality and rapid nationwide delivery from landed stocks,” said John Bate, Rowlinson Timber’s managing director.
The company specialises in imported softwood carcassing and remains committed to this business at a time when other wholesalers are moving away from carcassing imports.
