Ripat Ltd, which owns Richard Burbidge and sister company Atkinson & Kirby, has acquired troubled timber products firm FW Mason from administrators for an undisclosed sum.
The acquisition safeguards 78 jobs at the 12-acre Colwick site, which the new owners will continue to operate. The company, trading as Masons Timber Products, and brand will continue to operate independently of the Richard Burbidge business.

Atkinson & Kirby's Ray Scott said: "Masons is a long established and well respected brand in the timber trade and the employees have done a great job during very difficult circumstances.
"The business has a solid future in Nottingham with our investment and Masons can concentrate on its traditional strength of providing high quality service to customers throughout the country."

Nottingham-based FW Mason entered administration on March 25 this year, citing rising fuel costs and lack of available credit as key factors.

Administrator the P&A Partnership has been trading the business, including the 12-acre Colwick site, since then, while a buyer was sought.