The roots of Gibbs & Dandy can be traced back to 1843 when it was an ironmongery business based in Luton. The business was acquired by George Frederick Gibbs and then in 1894 was purchased by William and Percy Dandy. Mr Gibbs retired, but the Dandy brothers (who originally hailed from Peterborough) maintained the local connection by naming the newly-acquired business Gibbs & Dandy. The brothers continued trading as a partnership until 1920 when a private limited company was formed. The company prospered, new premises were acquired in Luton and Dunstable and in July 1953 Gibbs and Dandy was floated on the Birmingham Stock Exchange. Gibbs & Dandy is now a network of 28 local builders and timber merchants serving professionals in the building trade, owned by the STARK Group A/S.