Summary

Originally named Bunnings Timber Holdings Ltd, this company changed its name to Bunnings Ltd in 1980. In 1994 the company was taken over by Westfarmers Ltd.

Details

Incorporated in WA on February 29, 1952 as Bunning Timber Holdings Ltd. The company was formed to acquire the Bunning group of sawmilling and timber and hardware merchandising companies. The company adopted the Bunnings Limited name on October 27, 1980.
Bunnings Limited expanded operations by the acquisition and creation of subsidiaries. In 1986, it purchased R & N Palmer Pty Ltd, as a West Australian logging, transport and contracting company.
Following a joint takeover bid with Westralian Farmers Transport Pty Ltd for Amstel Holding Ltd, the company acquired a 26.6% interest in Amstel, a supplier of steel roofing cladding and insulation products, fastening and outdoor hardware products, tools and equipment.
An 80% interest in roof trusses producer Sterlands Pty Ltd was acquired in 1989. Sterland subsequently acquired Sydney Roof Trusses Pty Ltd.
Wesfarmer Ltd, through wholly owned subsidiary Uncone Pty Ltd, made a takeover offer for all Bunnings Shares in January 1992. Wesfarmers did not succeed with a total takeover until 1994. Bunnings had just purchased the McEwans hardware chain in Victoria. As a subsidiary of Wesfarmers, Wesfarners Bunnings Limited continues to trade as the Bunnings Hardware chain, specializing in the large "superbarn" variety of hardware stores, designed to accommodate the DIY market.
On June 15, 2001 Wesfarmers announced a takeover bid for Howard Smith, the parent company of BBC Hardware, which operates the Home Depot Hardware chain. The takeover would effectively merge the Bunnings and BBC hardware store chains. At writing the takeover had not been approved by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Published resources

Books

• Mills, J., The timber people : a history of Bunnings Limited, Bunnings Ltd, Perth, 1986. Details