United Hardware, Irish buying and marketing group for builders’ merchants, DIY and home & garden retailers, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Expert Hardware following clearance from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)
The transaction brings together two long-established organisations serving independent hardware retailers and builders’ merchants across Ireland and creates a combined network of more than 200 stores, supporting over 2,500 jobs nationwide, with annual retail turnover exceeding €500 million.
United Hardware confirmed that both the Homevalue and Expert Hardware brands will continue to operate independently within the Group, with ongoing investment planned in the development, expansion and positioning of both brands across their respective markets.
The acquisition represents United Hardware’s strategic expansion into the community and convenience DIY sector, complementing the Group’s existing strength in the larger DIY, builders’ merchant and home improvement market through the Homevalue brand.
Expert Hardware currently operates through a network of 51 independently owned stores located in towns and communities throughout Ireland. United Hardware believes there is significant opportunity to grow the Expert Hardware brand and network over the coming years, with an ambition to expand to more than 80 stores by 2030.
The combined Group will provide increased scale, stronger supplier partnerships and enhanced support services for all members at a time of growing competition and consolidation within the sector.
Expert Hardware members will benefit from United Hardware’s buying scale, marketing support, digital and retail technology platforms, HR capability and retail operations expertise.
At the same time, United Hardware emphasised that the entrepreneurial independence, local ownership and community focus of both Homevalue and Expert Hardware members will remain central to the future strategy of the enlarged Group.
Commenting on the completion of the acquisition, Paul Candon, Chief Executive Officer of United Hardware, said:
“This is a very positive and strategic development for both organisations and, most importantly, for the independent hardware retailers and communities we collectively serve across Ireland.
“Expert Hardware is a highly respected and well-established brand with strong local roots and highly entrepreneurial members. From the outset, our focus has been on creating a stronger future together while preserving the identity, independence and community connection that makes both organisations successful.
“By bringing the two groups together, we are strengthening our ability to invest in our members through improved buying scale, technology, marketing, retail support and brand development, while ensuring both the Homevalue and Expert Hardware brands continue to evolve and grow in their own markets.
“We believe this transaction positions the enlarged Group exceptionally well for the future and further strengthens independent Irish-owned hardware retailing at a time of significant change within the sector.”
David Baker, Chair of Expert Hardware, said:
“This marks an important and positive milestone for Expert Hardware and our members.
In joining United Hardware, our members are becoming part of a larger and highly successful organisation that shares our values around independence, local ownership and supporting community-based retailers.
The transaction gives our members access to greater scale, enhanced commercial support and future investment opportunities, while ensuring the Expert Hardware brand and our local retail identity continue to be developed and strengthened.
We are very confident this move creates long-term opportunity and sustainability for our members and positions the Expert Hardware brand strongly for future growth.”
United Hardware said the enlarged Group will now focus on the next phase of development across both brands, including organic store growth, expansion of the retail network, investment in digital capability, enhanced customer experience and the continued strengthening of independent hardware retailing throughout Ireland.
For more information, visit https://unitedhardware.ie/
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