Historic timber firm bought by Bradford business

Savoy Timber, a family-owned firm of more than 70 years which has ranked as one of Lancashire's best-performing SMEs, has been acquired by a growing Bradford firm for £10m.

The timber merchant group generates more than £15m in annual sales through its superstores in Preston, Blackpool and Wigan as well as its online store.

With customers across the UK, the business supplies a wide range of timber products including doors, decking and worktops. It employs 82 people.

Savoy ranked 91st in this year's Lancashire Business View Hot 100.

Now the business has been acquired by Savoy Timber Holdings Ltd, a new company set up by Chris Powell of Estate Sawmills, a fast-growing Bradford-based timber merchant.

Estate Sawmills, also a family-run business, supplies timber, fencing, decking, agricultural products and gates to trade and DIY customers nationwide.

The deal follows the retirement of George Cornwell, managing director of Savoy Holdings. The business will continue to trade as Savoy Timber.

The transaction was in the region of £10m and was supported by a team of Yorkshire-based advisers. Hitesh Tailor, Nicola Cooper and Jonathan Simms of Clarion provided legal advice to the buyer, supported by colleague Julie Evans who provided property advice; and Gavin Lamb of Azets provided financial advice. The vendor was advised by Ormrods Solicitors. Banking was provided by NatWest with legal advice from Schofield Sweeney.

Chris Powell said: “After acquiring Estate Sawmills in 2020, we have seen rapid expansion and the acquisition of Savoy will enable us to continue our growth journey in this dynamic sector. Savoy is a long-established and well-known business that not only broadens our presence across the North, but its strong e-commerce platform also increases our market share throughout the UK as well as expanding our product offering.

"While Estate Sawmills has focused on external timber products, Savoy offers an extensive range covering all timber products, both inside and outside the house. This expanded product line will now also be available via Estate Sawmills.

“We have an ambitious vision and this latest acquisition marks another important milestone as we seek to press on with our expansion, having capitalised on the garden improvement boom post-Covid. We are now actively looking for a complementary timber business in the South to strengthen our national coverage.”