Joseph Ash Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hill & Smith Holdings plc. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has received assurances from Hill & Smith Holdings plc and Joseph Ash Limited that the proposed acquisition has been abandoned.

The CMA referred Joseph Ash Limited’s anticipated acquisition of W Corbett & Co (Galvanizing) Limited for an in-depth phase 2 investigation on 9 July 2015. On the same day, Hill & Smith Holdings plc notified the stock exchange of its intention to abandon the transaction.