Brooks Timber & Building Supplies returned to Irish ownership in 2021 following the purchase of the business from Premier Forest by Murdock Builders’ Merchants. Murdock’s with ten branches in the north of Ireland and four in the Dublin area, saw Brooks as the ideal opportunity for it to extend its coverage of the Republic of Ireland market and to grow its market share.
The Brooks brand is well known throughout Ireland and has been in existence for over two hundred years. With branches in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Tullamore, and Sligo it has played a major part in the construction sector and local economies.
With the support and encouragement of its shareholders, Brooks have commenced a programme of investment in store upgrades at existing sites and the opening of new greenfield branches.
The first of the greenfield branches opened at Boghall Road, Bray, Co Wicklow at the end of August. The branch which contains the full Brooks offering of timber, sheet materials, building materials, and plumbing and heating is based on a new layout format, which is the template for future branch development.
The principle underpinning this format is to prioritise customer access and service to enable fast turnaround. Investment in racking systems and storage in the warehouse and yard, and merchandising of the shop, are all based on successful experience elsewhere. A safe working environment for staff and customers is also a feature of the layout.
Brooks, who have always been synonymous with timber and sheet materials, have greatly extended the building materials range with an expanded civils and drainage offering. A full plumbing and heating range is also available including gas boilers and heat pumps.
Further branch locations in ROI are being examined, and the Bray branch template, will enable faster opening of new branches, when sites and permissions are in place.
Brooks who are probably best known for supplying the trade also have a significant retail business, particularly for the home improvement customer, and trade online at www.brooksonline.ie.
