About Us
The business originally opened on Green Park Industrial Estate in Port Talbot in 1976 as part of the Potters Group. It supplied building materials and was involved in supplying projects associated with the growth of Port Talbot, including housing, commercial developments, and work connected with the Steel Company of Wales.
Difficult Years (late 1970s–early 1980s)
The business was hit by the economic downturn affecting the local steel industry with business significantly declining during the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly around the 1980 steelworkers' strike. Eventually under the Potters Group the company went into liquidation and faced closure.
The Davies Family Takeover (1984)
A major turning point came in 1984, when Dilwyn Davies, his wife Susan and family purchased the failing business with the aim of rescuing it and creating a turnaround effort to save a struggling local builders' merchant. Dilwyn Davies became (and still to this day) the long-standing director and secretary of the company.
Growth as an Independent Family Business
For the next three decades with the help of Dilwyns two sons, Neil and Paul the company traded as Builders Supplies (Port Talbot) Ltd while operating as a family-run independent builders' merchant serving South Wales for more than 30 years and building a strong reputation among both trade customers and DIY users.
Relocation to Endeavour Close (2014)
In 2014 the company undertook a significant expansion project due to the redevelopment of Green Park Industrial Estate, Builders Supplies Port Talbot acquired land at Endeavour Close, Purcell Avenue Industrial Estate and moved from its previous leased premises to a purpose-built merchant yard and warehouse facility. The new site was completed in March 2014.
Rebranding to Davies DIY & Builders Merchant (2014) - Present Day
After relocating, Dilwyn, Neil and Paul decided that the name "Builders Supplies Port Talbot" no longer reflected the customer base. They felt the old name suggested the company served only professional builders, whereas a large proportion of customers were homeowners and DIY enthusiasts.
As a result, following the move in March 2014, the trading name was changed to Davies DIY & Builders Merchant, highlighting the family ownership and appealing more directly to the public market. Importantly, the underlying legal company name remained Builders Supplies (Port Talbot) Limited to ensure that the long standing good reputation that has been built over 40 years stands strong.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1976 | Builders Supplies (Port Talbot) Ltd incorporated and opens on Green Park Industrial Estate. |
| Late 1970s–1980 | Business affected by downturn in steel industry and steelworkers' strike. |
| Early 1980s | Company enters liquidation. |
| 1984 | Purchased by Dilwyn Davies and family. |
| 1984–2014 | Operates as a family-run independent builders' merchant at Green Park Industrial Estate |
| 2014 | Relocates to new premises at Endeavour Close Industrial Estate. Rebrands as Davies DIY & Builders Merchant while retaining the legal company name Builders Supplies (Port Talbot) Ltd. |
| Present Day | Continues to trade and service the South Wales region as one the oldest and finest independent Builders Merchants while continuing to grow, including the launch of their online store www.daviesdiy.co.uk |