Blackpool-based construction materials distributor Fox Brothers Holdings has acquired the entirety of J Fisher & Sons, a North West heavy haulage, road planing and asphalt reprocessing company, for an undisclosed sum.
This marks the first acquisition by Fox Brothers Holdings - known as the Fox Group - since it was acquired by US-based private equity firm Stellex Capital Management in September 2024.
Announcing the deal, Fox Group said the acquisition marks a significant milestone in the group’s plan to transform the company into a fully integrated circular construction materials business, delivering sustainable solutions to the construction industry.
Fox Group operates 14 sites and depots and has over 550 employees. It has operating licences for a fleet of 300 vehicles.
The company was founded in 1932 to provide services to the construction and infrastructure industries, offering muck-away, haulage of aggregates, production of recycled aggregates, waste recycling, quarry operations and ready-mix concrete production.
More recently it has expanded geographically and extended its operations beyond haulage and muck-away, as part of its strategy to become an integrated construction materials provider, aided by several acquisitions in recent years, including Hurt and JJ O’Grady.
Following its acquisition by Stellex, Fox Group has also merged with J A Jackson, quarry operator and producer of recycled aggregates and ready mixed concrete.
J Fisher & Sons, which is based in Atherton, Manchester, has an operating licence for 40 trucks and 40 trailers. It is a key player in circular construction and manages over 200,000 tonnes of recycled asphalt planings (RAP) each year.
The acquisition is expected to drive strong synergies for the Fox Group, including the use of RAP within the asphalt production process, with its new £4m Leyland Asphalt plant ready to open in July 2025.
Paul Fox, Fox Group chief executive, said: “This is an extremely exciting time for the company and this acquisition will further broaden our circular offering to customers bringing our annual use of recycled products to circa two million tonnes.
“Fishers has a strong management team, and we welcome them and their colleagues as we continue withour expansion plans.
“We are committed to a smooth transition for the teams and customers of Fishers and we anticipate continued success and growth through this synergistic partnership.”
J Fisher & Sons director Colin Fisher, added: “Joining the Fox Group will enable us to work with their expansive network and resources, providing significant opportunity to grow and meet the increasing demand for RAP.
“The support and partnership from the team at the Fox Group will help further our mission to drive circularity and sustainability throughout our business.”
Pictured: Colin Fisher, Paul Fox, CEO, and Gary Fisher.
