Wolseley is disposing of the businesses in line with its strategy of focusing its activities where it has built sufficient scale, established leading market positions and can deliver an appropriate financial return.

In the year ended 31 July 2009, the businesses had combined sales of €237m (£204m) and underlying operating losses of €34m (£30m).

Commenting on the disposal, Ian Meakins, chief executive of Wolseley, said: "I am confident that the transaction we have concluded with WIBHM Limited represents a good outcome for Wolseley's shareholders. It will also enable us to bring an even greater degree of focus on driving performance improvement in our core UK businesses."