
EMC Corporate Finance has completed its second major builders’ merchant deal in 18 months.
Fairalls (Builders’ Merchants) Ltd, a family-run business dating back to 1900, has been acquired by specialist private investment firm Cairngorm Capital Partners.
The deal comes a little over a year after EMC also advised on the sale of Parker Building Supplies, the South East’s leading independent builders’ merchant with 15 branches across Sussex and Kent.
Fairalls offers a mix of heavy and lightside building materials, from its four locations in Gatwick, Sevenoaks and two in Godstone. Its Taylors Hill Branch in Godstone is one of the largest heavyside yards in the South East.
In 2018 the business, currently managed by Bob Fairall and his son Richard, achieved revenues of approximately £15m with over 80 employees. Bob will remain with the business on an interim basis before entering retirement. Richard will also remain with the business which will continue to trade under the Fairalls brand.
Back to all newsMichael Pay, who led EMC’s team advising Fairalls, said: “We’re delighted to have got this deal across the line after a nine-month process that had numerous twists and turns. It’s an excellent result for all concerned and comes at just the right time for Bob who can look forward to retirement knowing that Cairngorm Capital’s unique mix of sectorial expertise and investment skill will enable them to take the business to the next level.”
Bob Fairall, Managing Director of Fairalls, said: “I am looking forward to facilitating a successful handover of the business to our new partners who will be working closely with my son, Richard, to pursue new opportunities for innovation and growth which will benefit our customers and employees while retaining the company’s core values.
“EMC’s Michael Pay led the deal the whole way through and I am delighted with the outcome. EMC’s experience in M&A shone through throughout the process.”