The Canterbury-based construction materials operation the Brett group have bought Atlas Stone Products, until now suppliers of reconstituted building and landscape stone products but who added a range of natural Indian sandstone paving this year.

Atlas, who will continue to trade under their own name, employ 100 people at their sites in Lechdale and Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, and Rye in East Sussex.

Atlas have been led by managing director Peter Smythe following a management buy-out in 1995 backed by venture capitalists 3i.

Smythe says they have achieved good growth since 1995 and now need to make further strides. The Brett group, with its excellent reputation and strong financial position, is an ideal partner, he said.

Brett are among the largest independent construction materials companies in the UK. Deputy chairman Bill Brett said: the Atlas Stone Products range fits well with our existing Brett Paving operation and builds on our acquisition last year of Greenham Construction Materials.