As the business’s second acquisition in the last two weeks, following its recent acquisition of PAB Systems, the Highbourne Group believes the decision will strengthen its e-commerce and direct-to-consumer retail offering.

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Evesham, Plumbworld was the first online bathroom business in the UK and has become one of the nation’s leading online retail platforms for bathroom, kitchen, plumbing and heating products. The business prides itself on supplying the industry’s best products at affordable prices.

The Highbourne Group believes Plumbworld will complement the business’s existing portfolio, strengthening its leading branch and online capabilities for trade customers, and increasing customer convenience by giving domestic customers fast access to the products they need. Plumbworld’s experience and knowledge of the e-commerce sector are key to the acquisition and will help the Highbourne Group to grow the online presence of its other brands.

Dave Evans, chief executive at The Highbourne Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Plumbworld into the Highbourne Group family of businesses and see Plumbworld as highly complementary to our existing customer propositions. James Hickman and the management team at Plumbworld have built the leading online bathroom retailer in the UK and I look forward to working with them to accelerate their growth initiatives. The acquisition of Plumbworld enables us to take our proven trade customer proposition and market leading supply chain to retail customers too - meaning that we can provide customers across the UK with even quicker access to what they need, when they need it.”

Mr Hickman, chief executive and founder of Plumbworld, said: “The integration of Plumbworld into the Highbourne Group is an exciting new chapter for our business. The Highbourne Group are creating real momentum in the market and I see enormous potential for Plumbworld as part of that growth plan.”