Kent-based Scalderhurst was established in 1973. The privately-owned firm holds some 7,500 tonnes of sheets and reels in stock at its 9,290sqm warehouse in Ashford.

By becoming part of the Aims Group the business will gain access to its suppliers, mill branded grades and support network.

Scalderhurst managing director and owner Richard Fowler said the business was thrilled to become a member. 

“Joining the group has been on our radar for some time now and whilst we remain fiercely independent, we see the mutual benefits of joining such an established association. 

“We look forward to working with our fellow members over the coming months to develop the numerous opportunities that we have identified.”

Aims director David Merry, who is managing director at fellow member WL Coller, said Scalderhurst was “a like-minded independent merchant” that the group ethos of being “customer centric with an entrepreneurial approach to doing business”.

“They are a good fit for the group. We have a number of suppliers in common and together with other synergies, we will be able to offer an enhanced level of service to our customers and partners across the UK and Ireland.”

The Aims Group purchasing and marketing consortium has overall sales of £100m. 

Last year James Ovenden, managing director of Ovenden Papers and Gerard Barron, managing director of Realt Paper joined Merry and long-standing director Steve Gould, the managing director of David John Paper on the Aims board.

The other Aims Group members are Broadgate Paper, GF Smith, Grosvenor House Papers, and Rosefox.