Roofing systems provider Marley Eternit has announced the acquisition of timber roofing batten provider John Brash & Co, with the companies saying the deal will see “the creation of an unparalleled roofing solutions player in the UK.”
In addition to roofing battens, John Brash also manufactures cedar roof shingles, non-slip timber decking and timber scaffold boards. The entire John Brash business will become part of Marley Eternit, with the brands – including the JB Red batten, being retained by the Company.
Marley Eternit says the combined £200m business brings together “two complementary companies, both of which are influential players, with highly regarded reputations in the UK construction market,” and that it “supports Marley Eternit’s commitment to its customer-led strategy to develop and sell a comprehensive roof system.”
John Brash is the only UK batten manufacturer that has an automated grading process that ensures its battens comply with BS 5534 and Marley Eternit says the investment in automation has allowed the company “to successfully lead the UK batten market, creating a high quality and safe product for specification, whilst improving both efficiency and reducing wastage.”
David Speakman, managing director at Marley Eternit, commented:
“The acquisition of John Brash will reinforce Marley Eternit’s position as the UK’s leading roofing solutions provider. As well as over 100 years of technical expertise in the roofing industry and a complementary product range, John Brash and Marley Eternit share the same core values of customer service, innovation and integrity. For Marley Eternit, this is the latest step in our strategy to affirm our brand leadership position, delivering on our innovation credentials and providing a total roof system solution that will deliver real value to our customers, from specifiers through to contractors and merchants.
“For our customers, it is very much business as usual with the benefit of being able to specify a full roofing system from Marley Eternit. We welcome our new colleagues from John Brash, who will become part of an expanded and growing business, providing market-leading roofing solutions to the construction sector. We have a history of investment in training and coaching for the development of our people and this will continue to be the case with our new team.”
Marley Eternit says it will retain John Brash’s site at Gainsborough. Following the acquisition, Paul Reed will become MD of the new timber products range within Marley Eternit. Chris Watson, who was previously MD at John Brash, will assume the role of chairman, following the departure of Christian Brash, who will leave the business.
