Frank Key Group has completed the purchase of C Bancroft Group, along with its two trading subsidiaries, Banson Tool Hire and Charles Watson (Ironmongers).

Richard Meeks has been promoted to the role of group hire director and tasked with integrating all new branches with current Frank Key hire operations.

Banson Tool Hire is a hire company with 10 branches and a head office in Halifax, West Yorkshire. The business became available for purchase due to the retirement of brothers who owned and managed it.

Charles Watson (Ironmongers) shares Banson Tool Hire’s Halifax head office and has a smaller branch in Leeds.

James Norton, group managing director at Frank Key, said: “With the acquisitions we welcome a further 60 members of staff to the Frank Key team and greatly expand our number of trade outlets, moving further north into West Yorkshire and Lancashire.”

Martin Bancroft, C Bancroft shareholder and director, said: “We are confident that the acquisition will significantly strengthen the tool hire and specialist ironmongery sales of the Frank Key Group and that the ongoing expansion plans provide continuing confidence and stability for customers, suppliers and employees into the future.”