Stax Trade Centres has acquired hardware and ironmongery manufacturer M.P. Smith and Co. Ltd, a long-standing supplier to the company.
Stax says it’s a strategic move to strengthen its supply chain but that the companies will continue to run as separate businesses.
M.P. Smith was established in the mid-70s and using the brand name SECURIT has been a market leader in the UK ironmongery sector. Company founder Mike Smith was keen that any sale would ensure that the company name and reputation would continue after his retirement.
“M.P. Smith has been a supplier to Stax for over 30 years, and it will continue to operate and supply the wholesale trade exactly as it has done previously,” said Stax purchasing director Simon Wright. “Customers of M.P. Smith will continue to receive the same great service they’re used to from the existing team.
“Making M.P. Smith part of the wider Stax organisation simply makes our supply chain even more robust and allows us to continue offering our retail and trade customers a very successful range of hardware and security products under the SECURIT® brand.”
The company says the deal is another example of its commitment to independent retailers and tradespeople.
Pictured at the announcement of the deal: Mike and Gloria Popek Smith with David Hibbert (first left) and Eddie
Brady (second left) of Stax.