Cygnum’s Macroom manufacturing facility
 
Leading construction materials merchant Grafton Group plc has agreed to acquire Irish timber frame manufacturer Cygnum as part of its focus on modern methods of construction.

Grafton said the acquisition complements its Chadwicks’ trade portfolio and supports faster, more efficient delivery of new homes. The agreement is subject to approval by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) in Ireland.

Founded in 1997 and based in Macroom, County Cork, Cygnum is a leading made-to-order supplier of offsite timber frame solutions to developers and contractors in the Irish market, recording 2025 revenue and adjusted operating profit of €45.6m and €7.9m respectively.

Cygnum is one of the largest timber frame manufacturers in Ireland. In 2025, it supplied and installed approximately 1,250 timber frame housing units and a recent investment programme has increased that capacity to about 2,500 units per annum.

The agreement would see the existing management team remain with the business and they are incentivised to grow profitability subject to certain performance conditions.

This acquisition aligns with Chadwicks Group’s strategy to extend its offering and acquire adjacent competencies and allows Chadwicks to continue to be a one-stop shop for customers as they adopt modern methods of construction.

“Becoming part of Chadwicks Group gives us the backing, scale, and strategic support to accelerate our growth, while maintaining the service levels and relationships our customers value,” said John Desmond, managing director, Cygnum Holdings Ltd.

“Cygnum offers tangible solutions for faster, more efficient delivery of new homes to help address Ireland’s structural housing shortage,” said Patrick Atkinson, chief executive, Chadwicks Group.

“Subject to regulatory approval, we look forward to welcoming Cygnum’s staff and experienced management team to Chadwicks Group.”



Modular construction is one of the fastest growing building methods in the new homes market in Ireland. According to the Irish Timber Frame Manufacturers’ Association (ITFMA), the proportion of timber frame solutions used in low-rise housing schemes was 37% in 2019, while data from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage indicates that in the second half of 2025, 61% of homes in scheme developments had notified the intention to use timber frame construction.

Sustained growth has been fuelled by the cost, quality and delivery efficiencies of timber frame, a trend that is expected to continue over the next decade as Ireland seeks to address a structural housing shortage.

“With just over 36,000 homes completed in Ireland in 2025 and a government target of 60,000 homes to be completed annually by 2030, Cygnum is an exciting addition to Grafton’s portfolio in the Island of Ireland segment,” said Grafton Group.

 
Source: resourcewise.com