LONDON: Lords Group Trading, one of the UK’s largest specialist distributors of building materials, has acquired the trade and assets of CMO Group Limited (CMO), the UK’s largest online-only retailer of construction products following a CMO pre-pack administration process.
The acquisition brings together Lords’ infrastructure and merchanting expertise with CMO’s digital-first online model and reflects Lords’ continued focus on growth, diversification, and digital innovation in the construction materials distribution sector.
Founded in 2008 as Construction Materials Online, CMO has built a market-leading e-commerce platform serving homeowners and trade professionals through a suite of specialist superstore websites. With over 140,000 listed products and a unique hybrid approach combining online convenience with expert technical support, CMO has brought true disruption to a traditionally offline industry
The acquisition, further details of which are set out below, marks a new chapter for CMO and its c.120 colleagues who will join the Group. Lords acknowledges that the events leading to the acquisition have had an impact on a number of stakeholders, including creditors and suppliers.
The pre-pack administration process was undertaken with careful consideration and in close coordination with legal and financial advisers, with the intention of preserving as much business continuity, employment, and value as possible.
Dean Murray, CEO of CMO, said: “The acquisition marks a new and exciting chapter for CMO. We have built a strong, digitally-led business over the past 15 years, and in Lords we have found a partner that not only understands our model but shares our ambition. I am incredibly proud of what the CMO team has achieved and excited about what is next.”
Shanker Patel, CEO of Lords, said: “We are delighted to welcome CMO into the Lords family. CMO brings a well-established digital platform, strong customer reach, and a specialist product-led approach that complements our own. This partnership allows us to blend traditional merchanting strengths with cutting-edge digital capabilities.
“We are also mindful of the impact of the pre-pack administration process on affected parties and are committed to conducting the transition with respect. Our focus now is on ensuring a stable and successful future for the CMO business and all its stakeholders.”