Murdock Builder’s Merchants has increased its total number of branches to twelve thanks to the acquisition of the merchanting division of FR Cathcart, in Enniskillen.
The Newry-based Murdock group has branches across Northern Ireland and in Dublin. It said that the move affords it the chance to enhance its service levels across the west of the province by providing customers in the border counties with a local collection and delivery point.
Twelve existing staffers at family business FR Cathcart are transferring over to Murdock’s as part of the agreement, adding to the 300-strong workforce.
Ann Morgan, Murdock’s CEO said “This investment offers new challenges and positive opportunities for all of our customers and staff. We feel privileged to bring such a well-respected family-owned company as FR Cathcart Ltd into the Murdock Builders Merchants Group and are grateful to Richard and Roisin Cathcart for all their assistance and cooperation through the acquisition process.
“With the deal complete we look forward to working with the team at the Enniskillen branch and in particular to building upon their previous success.”
Richard Cathcart commented: “The Cathcart family is confident that this is the right time to hand over the reins of the merchanting division of FR Cathcart Ltd to Murdock Builder’s Merchants.
“We are extremely proud of the business that we have built up since 1972 and the wonderful staff relationships that have been developed over those years. Looking to the future, our priority was to take the business to the next level, so it was vital that we found an independently-owned and progressively-minded company such as Murdock’s to take over our merchanting division.
“We wish all our employees and our customers continued success with Murdock’s and thank them for their loyalty and friendship over the past years.”