// Topps Tiles buys 60% stake in family-owned tiling supplies business Pro Tiler
// Topps Tiles said it plans to buy the remaining 40% after March 2024
Topps Tiles has taken a majority stake in a family-owned tiling supplies business, as it seeks to expand the business.
The tile seller bought a 60% share worth £5.3 million in Pro Tiler, an online operation launched in 2010 by husband and wife Andy and Wendy Bucknall.
Topps Tiles said it plans to buy the remaining 40% after March 2024.
READ MORE: Topps Tiles warns of lower profit margins amid rising costs
As part of the deal, Andy and Wendy Bucknall will retire from Pro Tiler while their sons will continue to run the day-to-day operations.
Topps said Pro Tiler was a recognised respected brand within the tiling market with three online businesses – protilertools.co.uk, northantstools.co.uk and premiumtiletrim.co.uk.
“Pro Tiler is a well-respected brand with a strong customer service ethic, which fits closely with our core values,” Topps chief executive Rob Parker said.
“The acquisition of an online specialist supplier to trade customers complements our omni-channel retail business and commercial brands.
“It also moves us closer to our 20 per cent market share goal of ‘1 in 5 by 2025’ while maintaining our specialism of tiling and related products.
“I look forward to working with Sam and Todd Bucknall and helping them to take this successful business forward into the next stage of its growth.
“The development of our digital offer remains an important area of focus for the group and we have plans in place to expand this further in 2022.”
In a trading update Topps Tiles said its own like-for-like sales for the last nine weeks were up almost 20% on pre-Covid levels two years ago.
It said gross margins were also up and pre-tax profits should be in line with forecasts.
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