Rab Corder Bathrooms acquired by MKM Building Supplies

Rab Corder Bathrooms was acquired by MKM Building Supplies in a deal that expands MKM’s bathroom, plumbing and heating offering in Dumfries. The acquisition also creates opportunities for showroom investment, service expansion and new jobs within the local area.

Transaction Overview:

• Sector: Construction / Plumbing, Heating & MEP
• Business Type: Bathroom design, installation, plumbing and heating specialist
• Deal Type: Trade Sale
• Buyer Type: Trade Buyer
• Location: Dumfries, Scotland, UK

Dumfries looks set to boast a “very special” bathroom design service after KBS Corporate oversaw the sale of Rab Corder Bathrooms to the UK’s leading independent builder’s merchant, MKM.

Rab Corder founded his bathroom design and installation company in Castle Douglas in 2011 before opening a showroom in the larger Scottish Borders town of Dumfries in September 2018.

With the help of a dedicated team, the business has built up a strong reputation for the services it provides, which also include plumbing and heating.

Mr Corder instructed KBS Corporate to facilitate a sale of the company to align with his retirement plans. In a deal coordinated by Oliver Rigby, KBS Corporate Deal Executive, the successful offer was made by MKM, who already had 125 existing branches nationwide.

Rab Corder Bathrooms consequently becomes MKM Dumfries St Mary’s, with full support from fellow local outlets MKM Dumfries and MKM Dumfries Timber.

The business will continue to provide bathroom design, incorporating 14 displays, to the trade and public, benefiting from MKM’s logistics and industry experience with the addition of new brands and free local delivery services.

There will also be investment to enhance the existing bathroom showroom, introducing a new kitchen showroom and expanding the plumbing and heating offering in the coming months.

Rab Corder has stepped down from his position as CEO with immediate effect, but all other employees remain with the business as it transitions to MKM Dumfries St Mary’s. The acquisition and expansion of the plumbing and heating services will create three new full-time jobs in the next two months. An experienced plumbing and heating specialist joins the team in April 2024 to work alongside Graeme Thomson and Graeme McWhir, Branch Directors of MKM Dumfries which is situated just a few minutes from the new showroom.

Rab Corder believes the future is extremely bright for the company he founded under its new ownership.

“It’s bittersweet to officially step down from a business I’ve built over two-plus decades,” he reflected. “I’d like to say thank you to all my customers and the team.

“I’ve always admired MKM’s commitment to supporting the local community as well as the company’s dedication to stocking the best range of products and employing the best people.

“My wife, Vicky, remains with the business and I look forward to seeing how the team expand our current services and grow it into something very special for the area.”

Andrew Popple, MKM’s Business Operations Director, added: “Rab has built an outstanding reputation in Dumfries and we are delighted to retain the whole team.

“This acquisition is a fantastic opportunity for MKM to further strengthen our presence in Scotland, enhancing our services with the capabilities of Rab Corder Bathrooms.”

KBS Corporate’s Oliver Rigby also expressed his satisfaction at completing the transaction and praised Eleanor Smith of law firm Alston Asquith for being “very helpful throughout the process”.

The Bathroom Design & Building Services Sector

Businesses operating across the construction sector that combine design expertise with installation and aftercare services continue to attract acquisition interest. Strong local reputations, showroom presence, and complementary plumbing and heating capabilities make these businesses attractive to buyers looking to broaden their regional offering.

This continued activity reflects the value of integrated service models, where businesses can deliver across design, installation and ongoing maintenance. As a result, well-established operators with strong local presence are increasingly being viewed as attractive platforms for regional expansion.

Recent transactions across the sector highlight this trend, including the MBO of Jonathan Carey Design and the sale of Zenith Doors Industrial, illustrating continued demand for businesses combining product expertise with installation capabilities.

For business owners operating in this space, this may present an opportunity to consider their next steps, including selling a company.