Surface specialist CDUK has announced a change of ownership that sees its current managing director, Andy Noble, acquire the business from chairman Gary Baker.
The Leeds-based business – which was founded 40-years ago, by Gary’s father Geoff Baker, and his business partner Toni Hibbert – became well-known in the industry as the exclusive UK distributor for Corian.
CDUK’s new owner Andy Noble joined the business in 2013 as national sales manager and was appointed as managing director in 2020.
In a statement, the change in ownership is described as demonstrating Andy’s “belief in and commitment to the company and its progressive future” and “a testament to the vision and dedication of the Baker family, who built a successful and resilient business that can foresee and respond to shifts in market trends and changes in customer behaviour.”
The company underwent a major rebrand in 2021 as part of its growth strategy and to “reflect its evolution as a brand and it’s changing portfolio”.
Speaking of the acquisition Noble said: “I’m incredibly proud and lucky to have been given the unique opportunity to continue the market leading work established by Gary and his father Mr Baker over the last 44 years. We work with some excellent supply partners, not least Corian with whom we have a long-lasting and fruitful partnership, as well as some world class designers, fabricators and manufacturers who turn our surfaces into the outstanding applications and projects.
“Added to that is an enthusiastic, forward-thinking team at CDUK who I thoroughly enjoy working with. Having worked with them for 10 years, taking ownership of the company is a great opportunity and I’m very much looking forward to connecting with new communities and markets with a wider portfolio of surface solutions in the future. I’m certainly very optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Gary Baker, outgoing owner and chairman at CDUK, added: “Since CDUK was founded nearly 45 years ago by my father and Toni Hibbert, we’ve prided ourselves on offering great service to our customers as well as being at the centre of the solid surface industry through distributing Corian. I am proud to be handing on the business to Andy with whom I have worked closely now for over 10 years. Over the last couple of years, Andy and his senior management team have taken on more and more responsibility for leading the business.
” It was really important to me to have a succession plan involving people who understand where CDUK has come from and who will maintain the values we have always held dear. At the same time, the company is in a great place to thrive and adapt to new challenges. I look forward to seeing how Andy and his team grow and develop the business in the future.”