Trading in the building materials supply sector means dealing with many challenges and complexities. This has been particularly evident over the last few years following the pandemic and global economic instability.
Trethowans have many years of experience in providing legal support to builders merchants, manufacturers and service providers operating in the building materials supply sector having worked with a broad range of businesses in the sector for more than 20 years.
Our Corporate Team have advised on the sale and purchase of a broad range of builders merchants over many years, with typical values ranging from £1m to £15m. In recent years the team has advised on:
- The sale of a Dartford based builders merchant for c£8m.
- The sale of Wantage Builders Merchants to Grant and Stone.
- The sale of a Surrey based builders merchant for c£4m.
- The sale of Exall Jones Timber and Builders Merchants to Huws Gray Group.
- The sale of a Northamptonshire based builders merchant for c£10m.
- The acquisition of a building services business for c£2m.
Our team’s expertise means we are well aware of the likely issues to be faced by sellers as well as the expectations of and likely concerns of buyers. We also have a wider team of specialists who support with particular issues which may arise on a building materials supply sector transaction such as health and safety issues, environmental compliance, technology, leasing and transport contracts and employment matters.
Our Commercial Contracts Team also has particular specialism in dealing with commercial contracts for building materials supply sector clients, including:
- Contracts for the sale / purchase of goods for resale (including agreements for the sale of goods by merchants to major customers like nationwide house builders).
- Contracts for the supply of services (for example installation services).
- Standard terms and conditions of sale.
- Supply agreements for cars, vans, LCVs, HGVs and MHE.
- Vehicle and equipment leasing agreements, including lease novations.
- Logistics / 3PL agreements including warehousing and fulfilment services and route-planning services.
- Fuel supply agreements including gas, HVO and fuel cards.
- Software licensing agreements (for example for fleet management software).
- Recruitment services agreements (for example for vehicle drivers and equipment operators).
Alongside this contract support we also advise on data protection compliance including advice relating to the processing of personal data of employees, drivers and customers.
Our teams also regularly support businesses in the sector in relation to their property portfolios and we also provide advice relating to contentious issues including:
- Contract disputes
- Road traffic accident and personal injury claims
- Health and safety issues
- Environmental issues
- Driving offences
Why Trethowans?
Our specialism and experience means our lawyers can provide businesses with truly sector focused and commercial legal advice.
Our Corporate & Commercial team are recommended as a Top Tier firm in the Legal 500 UK Guide. We are also named in The Times Best Law Firms 2023 Guide and 2022 Guide as one of the top 200 legal practices in England and Wales.
