Reversing a demerger that took place in the early eighties, the two companies will be reunited after forty years of collaborating as separate entities.

Working out of their six current sites, the combined organisation will continue to provide a wide product range delivered predominantly by their own fleet of vehicles.

Existing customers of both companies will benefit from a broader product range, which includes nails, screws, bolts, fixings, fencing, ironmongery, building products and sealants and mastics.

The companies will continue to operate under their respective brands and look to work together to create a common offering to all customers over the coming months.

John George is a family-run wholesaler that was originally an ironmongery business, established in the City of London in 1725. It now delivers to over 1,000 trade customers a range of over 7,500 products.

Henry Shaw & Sons was founded in 1799 and is one of the UK’s largest stockists of ferrous and non-ferrous nails. Based in Birmingham and Elland, Henry Shaw provides nails, screws, fixings, bolts and hardware across the North of England and Scotland.

Executive Directors of John George, Mark and Dave Lambert, will run the combined organisation with the help of the management team of Henry Shaw & Sons.

Mark Lambert commented, “2020 saw challenges for both John George and Henry Shaw & Sons in line with the rest of the industry. However, it proved to be a very positive twelve months and we believe that the two businesses working together will only serve to enhance the customer experience. We are excited to be able to offer nationwide delivery on our unique range of products.”