Covers Timber & Builders Merchants has acquired Orpington Timber & Building Supplies Ltd (OTBS) in Bexleyheath, Kent, strengthening its portfolio of branches in the South East to 15 depots.

Covers already operates a depot at Longfield Road, Tunbridge Wells, as well as other branches in Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire. The business confirmed that OTBS officially started trading as part of Covers on Wednesday, January 3 and explained that the depot will trade as OTBS, Covers Bexleyheath.

Former owner Mike O’Kane will continue at OTBS as depot manager alongside his full team of existing employees.

Covers managing director Henry Green said of the deal: “This is an exciting acquisition for Covers and means we can continue to expand our existing business in North Kent and reach new customers in the south east of Greater London. OTBS is a very successful business and we are delighted to welcome Mike and his team to the Covers family. We look forward to working with them to support their excellent customer service and increase their product offering in due course.”

Mr O’Kane added: “Covers has an enviable reputation in the trade so I am confident that OTBS will go from strength to strength under its guidance. We are pleased to be part of such an exceptional business.”

In October, Covers celebrated the official opening of its new-look Home Ideas store in Chichester.