Construction materials distributor Fox Group is ramping up its acquisition campaign with the purchase of concrete supplier Moore Readymix and surfacing specialist DSD Construction.
The acquisitions are backed by investor Stellex Capital Management, which purchased a majority stake in family-led firm Fox Group in September 2024, with a mission to create a construction materials business operating as a low carbon circular economy.
Lancashire-based Moore Readymix supplies all grades of ready-mixed concrete, alongside its specialist MooreMinimix service for smaller pours, to a broad customer base spanning construction, agriculture and domestic projects.
Fox Group said the acquisition strengthens the Fox Group’s position in the ready-mixed concrete market, adding that it is already investing in the future of Moore Readymix with a new concrete plant being created at the Leyland hub.
Founder Roy Moore will remain as managing director of Moore Readymix, continuing to run the business day-to-day and leading the next phase of growth for the company as part of the wider Fox Group.
DSD, which has its headquarters in Carlisle, specialises in surfacing, cold milling and in-situ recycling, working with major clients across the public and private sectors.
The transaction is the fourth acquisition completed by Fox Group since investment from Stellex and is Fox Group’s largest to date.
DSD is a major user of aggregates and asphalt, and the acquisition will increase Fox Group’s material volumes across the group.
DSD Construction will continue to trade under the DSD name as part of the Fox Group family of businesses, sitting alongside J. Fisher & Sons and NMS Civil Engineering. which were acquired last year.
Founder and chief executive Shaun Nugent will remain with the business, as will managing director Martin Tweddle, helping to ensure continuity of leadership, culture and client relationships.
Fox Group said both purchases will complement its services and offer cross selling opportunities to its services which include aggregates, muck-away and haulage; recycled materials; asphalt; civil engineering and plant hire.
Paul Fox, Fox Group chief executive, said: “Moore Readymix is exactly the kind of business we want to welcome into the Fox Group — a respected, independent, family-run operator with a long track record and a loyal customer base.
“This acquisition strengthens our position in the concrete market, expands our construction materials platform across Lancashire, and is another important step in our circular economy strategy — giving us an in-house outlet for our recycled and secondary aggregates and supporting the production of lower-carbon concrete for our customers.
“It also creates an opportunity to cross-sell the wider Fox Group offering to Moore Readymix’s customers. We are delighted that Roy is staying on as managing director to run the business and deliver the next phase of growth for Moore Readymix; his experience and stewardship will be invaluable as we bring the two teams together.”
Roy Moore, Moore Readymix founder and managing director, said joining Fox Group was the natural next step. He added: “We share the same family values and the same commitment to looking after customers and colleagues.
“I’m staying on as managing director to run the business and to deliver the next phase of growth for Moore Readymix - backed by the resources and wider customer network of the Fox Group, our customers will have access to a broader range of construction materials and services, and our team has opportunities to grow.”
Commenting on the purchase of DSD, Paul Fox said: “DSD Construction is exactly the kind of business we want inside Fox Group — family-built, technically excellent and trusted by some of the UK’s most demanding clients.
“As our fourth acquisition since the Stellex investment, and the largest to date, DSD marks an important step in the Group’s growth.
“It enhances our customer reach, increases our material volumes, deepens our vertical integration across construction materials, distribution and services, and strengthens our circular economy model by feeding more reclaimed asphalt planings back into new asphalt through J. Fisher & Sons and NMS Civil Engineering.
“Together we can offer customers a broader, more joined-up proposition.”
Shaun Nugent, DSD Construction founder and chief executive, said: “After more than 30 years building DSD with my family and our team, joining Fox Group is the right next step.
“We share the same values, the same commitment to our people and the same focus on looking after clients. Together we can do more, in more places, for the customers who have backed us for decades.”
Martin Tweddle, managing director, DSD Construction, said: “DSD has built a strong, delivery-focused business with a clear position in the market.
“Joining Fox Group gives us the platform to scale at pace, expand our reach and increase capacity, opening up new opportunities for the business.
“This is a strategic move, not just an investment. By integrating our delivery capability with Fox Group’s materials and infrastructure platform, we are creating a more complete and efficient model.
“That puts us in a strong position to grow, deliver larger frameworks and add greater value for our clients across the UK.”
