London-based slate supplier SSQ has acquired the business of Slate Northern Ireland (SNI).

The acquisition means the SSQ range, including the Del Carmen, Sarria and Riverstone brands, are now available directly to both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.

The SNI business was established in 2007 and gives SSQ stock holding facilities in Tobermore and an office in Belfast, as well as regional business managers for Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Haroun El-Helw, head of marketing at SSQ, says the acquisition is the first of many aggressive moves planned by SSQ Group to give it a direct international presence in key natural slate markets.

“SSQ has been supplying Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland indirectly for more than two decades,” says Haroun. “This new addition to our business allows us to build on this tradition and cater even better for the demand these two markets have for natural roofing slate.

“Del Carmen is particularly popular in the Northern Irish market. The acquisition of SNI allows us to supply this to customers direct, giving them unprecedented value and efficiency and the benefit of SSQ’s more than 30-years’ experience in supplying natural slate solutions.

“Our global mission is to make high quality natural slate the default choice among the roof covering options available.”