GRS Group acquire S. Walsh & Sons
UK’s leading construction materials trader acquires London-based construction solutions contractor
GRS Group, the UK’s largest independent traders and handlers of construction aggregates (bulk and bagged) and waste materials for recycling, plus a range of associated services, have acquired S. Walsh & Sons Ltd, specialists in the removal, haulage, handling and recycling of construction and waste materials, for an undisclosed sum.
The acquisition will provide GRS with access to key strategic locations in the heart of London for the import and export of bulk materials, and will give Walsh access to GRS’s national network of customers, supply partners and facilities for construction waste.
GRS chief executive Jon Fisher said: ‘Walsh are a great fit for GRS; the two businesses have worked together on many projects and in recent years we’ve built a much closer working relationship. The Walsh team has a wealth of operational, commercial and technical expertise across a range of services to construction, waste and quarrying companies.
‘More important is that Walsh have a similar customer-led, can-do attitude as we have in GRS, so I’m confident we’ll work well together. Acquiring Walsh expands the GRS portfolio with a market-leading range of joined-up services and sustainable solutions for the construction industry. It’s another example of putting our strategy into action to achieve our vision.’
Having worked on virtually all of the capital’s major infrastructure schemes, Walsh employ around 175 people across London and the South East. The acquisition takes the total number of GRS employees more than 800. The two businesses will operate more than 50 sites and are expected to handle in excess of 20 million tonnes of construction aggregate and other materials each year.
Walsh will continue to operate as a stand-alone business, joining forces with GRS when it is advantageous for customers to do so. Walsh directors Nick Walsh, Westley Pickup, Richard Walsh and Tim Wheeler will continue to operate the business day to day.
Commenting on the deal, Nick Walsh: ‘This agreement is a win-win. We’re very proud of the reputation Walsh have built up over the years – that’s a testament to the brilliant team we have working for us. The decision to sell has not been taken lightly, but teaming up with a business as ambitious as GRS is a natural step to take the company on to the next stage in its development.’
