History
The company can trace its origins back to 1797, when the Benjamin Ingram company of joiners and carpenters was founded at 33 Beech Street in the City of London. Benjamin Ingram subsequently merged with Perkins to become Ingram Perkins.
Sandell Perkins was formed in 1970 following the merger of Sandell Smythe & Drayson and Ingram Perkins. Sandell Smythe & Drayson was itself the product of a 1964 merger of Joseph Sandell (formed in 1812) and Smythe & Drayson which had itself formed in 1954 from J. & A.S. Smythe (formed 1785) and Geo. Drayson & Son (formed 1875).
Together with a number of smaller acquisitions Sandell Perkins acquired Broad & Co. (formed in 1881) in 1975. Sandell Perkins was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1986. At that time it had 49 branches principally based around London and the South-East.
Travis Perkins was formed by a merger between Travis & Arnold and Sandell Perkins in 1988.
Subsequent acquisitions have included AAH (46 branches) in 1994, BMSS (26 branches) in 1996, Keyline Builders Merchants (101 branches) and Sharpe & Fisher (38 branches) in 1998, City Plumbing Supplies Limited (48 branches) and Commercial Ceiling Factors (20 distribution centres) in 2002, Jayhard (53 branches) and B&G (12 branches) in 2003, Wickes (171 stores) in 2005 and Tile Giant in 2007.
Travis Perkins made an indicative £553 million takeover offer for BSS Group on 28 May 2010, which was accepted by the company's board.
Travis Perkins plc acquired the remaining 70% stake in Toolstation on 3 January 2011.
Read more about this topic: Travis Perkins
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