Independent family-run builders merchant Covers Timber and Builders Merchants has acquired West Sussex-based independent NYEs Building Supplies.
NYEs is a building, landscaping, timber and plumbing merchant, which operates from sites in Kingsfold and Billingshurst, West Sussex.
Covers operates from 15 locations across Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, with its mill and timber operation based at its Chichester depot. The company celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2022.
Rupert Green, Chairman of Covers, said: “We are delighted to bring such a well-run local merchant with a strong brand and team into Covers. NYEs is a business that complements our different trading activities and geographical coverage in Sussex and Surrey.
“NYEs has a strong, loyal and well-established customer base, and will continue to trade as NYEs Building Supplies, part of the Covers Group. We look forward to maintaining its customer relationships, supporting the team to explore additional opportunities to grow the business, and offering new and current customers an increased product range.”
Former NYEs owner, David Nye, added: “Having built the business over many years, the time has come to pass it on to a successful company that has similar family values. I am confident the NYEs’ team, and its customers will all flourish within Covers.”
Aside from being busy on the acquisition front, Covers has also made time to do its bit for the community. The Horsham depot of Covers Timber & Builders Merchants recently organised a charity football match in memory of their colleague Ian Scott who passed away in 2023. The event saw a Covers team face off against Horsham Veterans FC to raise money for Cancer Research UK and Stroke Association.
The match took place at Horsham Football Club, where Scott was involved with the youth team set up. Thanks to overwhelming support, the event raised an impressive £1,300. As part of Covers match-funding initiative, which equals any fundraising efforts up to £1,000, Covers’ increased the total to £2,300.
Tony Massimo, from Covers’ Horsham depot, acted as manager for the Covers eleven. The team also featured Ellis McKay, another member of the Horsham depot, along with former players from the Horsham youth teams that Ian had coached. In a keenly contested match, the game finished 2-2.
Sean Clarke, Regional Director at Covers, said: “Ian was a valued colleague and much-loved member of our community who is very much missed. His passion for football and dedication to the local area left a lasting impact on all who knew him.
“Well done to Ian’s friends, family and colleagues who participated in the football match and helped organise this wonderful event and thank you to our customers who showed their support by donating. Your efforts honoured Ian’s memory and made a contribution to two very worthy causes.
In other charity news, the Bognor Regis depot of Covers Timber and Builders Merchants is delighted to be supporting local group the 39 Youth Club by donating a range of tools to help it transform its outdoor space.
The club aims to develop an inviting garden where young people can unwind, engage in recreational activities, and connect with nature, as well as establish allotment areas for members to cultivate their own produce.
By growing and cooking with fresh ingredients, local young people will gain practical knowledge about food sources while helping to address food poverty in the area. This initiative will enhance their independence, boost their confidence, and deepen their understanding of health and nutrition, positively impacting their lives and the broader community.
Zina Harding, Committee Secretary and Youth Worker at the 39 Youth Club, commented: “Our club was established in 1958 by the dedicated efforts of Mr and Mrs Skinner, and has grown to become a fun and safe place for young people to engage with each other. We recently signed a 25-year lease with the West Sussex County Council, opening up exciting possibilities for expanding our youth provisions, and our vision is to transform the club into a hub that serves our members and the wider community.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Covers, whose generous donation will play a pivotal role in our upcoming projects.”
Paul Allwright, Depot Manager at Covers in Bognor Regis, added: “We are committed to supporting the community local to our branch and we are delighted to donate tools to help the 39 Youth Club with their garden. The plans sound great and will have a positive impact on the local area – we look forward to seeing what is created.”
What’s more, the team at Covers Timber & Builders Merchants has lent their expertise to Chestnut Tree House’s The Big Hoot. The outdoor art trail will feature 30 owl sculptures, each uniquely decorated by local and national artists, which will be placed along an outdoor and fully accessible trail across Chichester and Arundel between 10th July and 1st September 2024.
In addition to the large owl sculptures, a parliament of little owls, decorated by local schools and children’s groups, will be located at indoor venues throughout Chichester.
At the end of the trail, the 30 owls will be auctioned to raise vital funds to support Chestnut Tree House. The hospice provides care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions in Sussex and South East Hampshire.
Alison Taylor, Corporate Fundraising Manager at Chestnut Tree House, commented: “We are incredibly thankful for the generous support from businesses like Covers Timber & Builders Merchants. Their help has been invaluable in bringing The Big Hoot to life and supporting our mission of providing vital care to children with life-shortening conditions and their families.”
Henry Green, Managing Director of Covers, added: “Since 2015, Covers has, with the help of our customers, donated almost £250,000 to hospices across the South East that play crucial roles in providing care to those in the communities our 17 depots serve. We are always looking for innovative ideas for how we can do more, and our team was delighted to be involved with Chestnut Tree House’s The Big Hoot by using their skills to make 30 plinths for the owl sculptures to be mounted on. We look forward to following the trail and wish everyone involved enormous success with the project.”
Once the trail is live, an app will be available to help people locate all the owl sculptures.
