Dormole Ltd acquired a majority stake in UK-based fastener wholesaler Harrison & Clough, Fastener + Fixing Magazine reports.

Dormole, owned by Forgefix, has been investing in independent suppliers to the Tools & Fixings Trade, according to Fastener + Fixing.

“We have long been admirers of H&C who have developed several market leading brands such as MetalMate, MasonMate and TimberMate that all complement our existing ranges and we believe that by combining resources we can greatly improve our offering to customers,” Forgefix managing director Michael Brown said.

H&C managing director Mark Hutchinson said that as “an independent, privately run business it has become increasingly difficult for us to maintain the level of investment that is required to develop our ranges and services in the way that we want, and the market demands.”

“We have seen the way they have invested in companies such as Forgefix, Olympia and BIZ and have been impressed by how they have grown those businesses,” Hutchinson added. “We are all really excited by the opportunities this collaboration will bring for all stakeholders – customers, suppliers and colleagues”.

Brown termed the acquisition as “an excellent fit for all involved and will enable us to improve our offer to our customers whilst at the same time providing a very positive future for the H&C and Forgefix teams.

The H&C management team “will continue to run the business with the additional backing of the resources and support of the Dormole group,” Brown said.

UK-based Harrison & Clough is a  fourth generation family-owned fastener master distributor with 2018 sales of GBP 27.5 million (US$35.9 million). Web: Harclo.com

Dormole was established in 1974 to acquire Curtis Holt, which jointly with CA Clemson & Sons traded from the 1980s as Toolbank, becoming a major UK and Ireland distributor of tools, hardware and consumables. Dormole has progressively taken full or partial stakes in a number of other industrial distribution businesses in the United Kingdom, Ireland and France.

In 2012 Dormole acquired ForgeFix, a British master distributor of fasteners and fixings supplier to Toolbank. In 2019 it acquired Tucks O’Brien Ltd and QFF Distribution Ltd, fastener and tools distributors in Ireland. In 2018 Dormole reported Group turnover increased 4% to GBP 233 million. Web: Dormole.net