Chris Davy, owner of Chelmsford-based refurb contractor Hart Projects, has bought Frederick J French (FJF) and plans to keep the name going for high-end projects.
FJF, also based in Chelmsford, went into administration on 1 June after 116 years in business. The company specialised in heritage work and bespoke joinery, as well as general building.
Mr Davy said that FJF failed not just because of the economy and low margins, but also because of late payments and an inability to modernise. He now plans to integrate Hart’s IT and management systems into FJF to enable it to react more quickly.
The new owner intends to re-establish FJF in the Essex area as a local prestigious builder, dealing with maintenance, new build, heritage, government, education, commercial and high value residential developments and refurbishments.
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