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Murdock Builders Merchants was originally established in 1982 with the set-up of Newry Building Supplies ltd in Newry, Co Down. Today it has 13 branches across Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Murdock Builders Merchants has a unique position in the building supply marketplace. In addition to providing general building supplies, it has grown over the years through a series of vertical integrations, acquiring manufacturing firms who supply into the building market and putting its stamp on their operations.
The company opened its first builders’ merchants branch in the Republic of Ireland in 2007 with an outlet in Balbriggan. It opened a second store in Ballymount, Dublin in 2015 and followed this with a third branch in Kilbarrack, Dublin, in September of last year.
Today, Murdock Builders Merchants has 13 branches across Northern Ireland and Ireland as well as two timber product manufacturers and a Civil Engineering Section. It is also looking to expand its operation further in the South.
“The company’s growth over the years has been as a result of organic development as well as the strategic acquisition of manufacturers within in the supply chain,” explains Gary Craven, Group Sales Manager (ROI). “In addition to our builders’ merchants, we operate four specialist divisions, which supply machined timber (Cranwood Industries), roof trusses and joists (Murdock Roof Trusses and Space Joists), Civil Engineering (Murdock Civils) and rough sawn timber (Cranwood Carcassing). This gives our customers greater scope, choice and value.” Facilitating the building trades’ preference to order and collect, and an early opening time of 6.45am has proven very popular with Murdock’s growing customer base.
“The fact that builders can pre-order and then collect their orders, beating the early morning rush hour traffic has helped us build up a strong customer base,” says Gary Craven. We also have a mobile optimised website with a customer account log-in facility. This means that customers can easily order from desktop or mobile devices. We plan to develop our online services further in the coming year.”
Murdock stocks all major brands for collection and delivery. Also, its specialist ranges include products from Murdock’s machined timber division Cranwood Industries and in-house roof truss/space joist manufacturing plant, as well as in-house timber carcassing and Civil Engineering products.
Murdock’s timber product manufacturing division is based in a purpose-built facility in Warrenpoint, Co Down. It offers a full range of machined timber products, from standard skirting and architrave moulds to customised window boards, stair parts and door sets. With increasing demand from both domestic and commercial customers for more intricate and detailed timber sections, Murdock has combined technical expertise with modern machining technology and imaginative designs to deliver innovative solutions in this market. This plant also stocks a wide range of high quality hardwood and softwood species imported from around the world with over 20 different species of timber in stock. All these products are available through Murdock Builders Merchants branches. Roof trusses are an increasingly popular roof solution for many customers due to the reduction in labour and costs they provide. Murdock designs and manufactures roof trusses at its Newry-based operation.
“Having made a significant investment in state-of-the-art plant and software,” says Gary Craven, “we offer a full design and production service, complemented by an experienced sales team who are available to call on site to confirm measurements and discuss any queries on a face-to-face basis.
“We offer clients trusses of the highest quality supported by superb customer service,” says Gary Craven. “Where required, customers can be supplied with trusses, which have been treated at Murdock’s high- or low-pressure treatment facility, and all are certified by the FSC or PEFC bodies.”
In the coming months, Murdock Builders Merchants plans to strengthen its presence in the Dublin area and will be introducing a range of specialist Civil Engineering products into the ROI through Murdock Civils Division.
Visit Murdock Builders Merchants website here