Rapidly growing Berkshire builders merchant FORT is the latest recruit to buying group h&b.

Formed just before the start of the pandemic, FORT has grown rapidly and is now looking forward to the buying deals and other services that h&b offers to continue its success.

FORT Builders Merchant is based in Membury Berkshire, was established in January 2020 and joined h&b on 1 September 2022.

The business serves tradesmen and retail customers across Berkshire and beyond thanks to its proximity to excellent transport links.

Like all h&b members, FORT is truly independent, and the team prides itself on offering a truly first class service to customers.

As well as knowledgeable, well-trained staff, FORT aims to provide customers with innovative products and services that differentiate it from its competition.

A full estimating service that takes architects drawings and translates them into a serviceable bill of quantities has proved extremely successful, while products such as bespoke staircases and copper guttering attract retail customers into the FORT branch at Membury.

“In the past few years we have had two members of staff employed full-time in sourcing materials, fighting for stock and battling for the best prices, instead of actively selling and servicing our customers,” says FORT Director Tim Gelardi.

“Joining h&b has given us a place at the top table, with grown up deals for a grown up business – great prices and access to the best products and brands in the business.

That means we can now compete effectively on price as well as the service we have become known for.”

FORT has grown for a standing start in January 2020 with one truck, one van and seven members of staff to a substantial operation with four trucks, three vans and twenty-four staff.

Based on a former WWII USA air force base that was built on the site of an Iron Age hill fort near Membury Services on the M4, FORT Builders Merchants delivers to customers across Berkshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire.