As final numbers for 2022 trickle in--and new reports for 2023 arrive--the M&A scene in construction supply continues to be robust. Webb Analytics' deals database shows 421 facilities changed hands last year, while there also were 204 greenfield openings. That's almost half the number of acquisitions compared with 2021, but 19% more openings.
There were 147 transactions in 2022 vs. 176 the year before, Webb Analytics finds. The number of buyers also dropped, to 67 in 2022 from 102 in 2021.
So far this year, there have been four deals announced by four buyers that brought them a total of five facilities. In addition, various companies have revealed plans to open 27 new locations.
Closures always take longer to report. For 2022, Webb Analytics has learned of 52 facility closures, while the new number for 2021 is 75. And there is news of three facilities to be closed in 2023.
Among the moves since Dec. 1, 2022:
* Beacon Building Products acquired a siding specialist, First Coastal Exteriors of Mobile, AL, and Pearl, MS, as well as a waterproofing company, Whitney Building Products of Boston. Beacon also opened new stores in Augusta, GA; Durham, NC; Brownsville, TX; Georgetown, TX; and La Vergne, TN
* Hilltop Lumber bought Northland Lumber in Park Rapids, MN.
* Ambassador Supply bought a truss manufacturer, Continental Carpentry Components of Wanatah, IN.
* Nation's Best Holdings went way north in Michigan to acquire Forslund Building Supply of Ironwood, Caspian, and Norway, MI.
* Continuing its growth in the Pacific Northwest, Kodiak Building Partners took in Diamond Home Improvement of Grants Pass and Klamath Falls, OR.
* Milwaukee's Bliffert Lumber stayed in the city by buying a millwork manufacturer, A. Fillinger Inc.
* Contract Lumber expanded to Waller, TX.
* Fencing Supply Group acquired Hartford Fence Supply of Tampa, FL.
* Decks & Docks bought Hodges Bros. Lumber of Fort Walton Beach, FL.
* Builders FirstSource plans this year to open a new store in South Beach, OR, that will take the place of yards it is closing in Lincoln City and Newport, OR. This is according to a press report that said Copeland Lumber will open in Lincoln City when BFS departs that coastal Oregon town. BFS plans this year to do a similar consolidation in Carbondale, CO, that will take the place of existing yards in Aspen, Glenwood Springs, and Basalt, CO.
* SRS Distribution opened a new Willoughby Supply outlet in Florence, KY; a new branch of Suncoast Roofers Supply in Flagler Beach, FL; and a new JB Wholesale Roofing & Building store in Santa Barbara, CA. In addition, SRS' Heritage Landscape Supply division opened a new Stone Center of Texas facility in Conroe, TX.
* SiteOne Landscape Supply bought the Texas-based, eight-yard Whittlesey Landscape Supplies & Recycling operation as well as Phoenix's Telluride Natural Stone & Reclaimed Wood.
* GMS expanded its tools business by taking over Tanner Bolt and Nut, which has four locations in and near New York City. It also opened a branch of New England Gypsum in New York, while its AMES Taping Tool subsidiary opened in Concord, NC.
* Floor & Decor opened stores in Brentwood, TN; Rancho Cordova, CA; Ypsilanti, MI; and Pearland, TX.
* Ogden & Adams bought Delhi (IA) Lumber.
* Hardware stores opening recently include Burk Hardware & Gifts of San Antonio and K&J True Value Hardware in Ely, MN.
* Among the closures were Ace Hardware Alameda Station in Denver; Spring Glen Hardware and Appliance in Hamden, CT; McNeely's Do it Center in Man, WV; and Pearl Bros. True Value Hardware in Joplin, MO.