SanSwiss, part of The Ronal Group of companies, has acquired Cumbria-based Kudos Shower Products as part of its strategy to target the UK for growth.
In a statement the acquisition was described as “an ideal opportunity to bring together two successful companies with complimentary products enabling; expansion in the UK market with existing SanSwiss products; growth potential in Europe with the existing Kudos range; and the development of new products through the combined resource with the enlarged business”.
Headquartered in Härkingen, Switzerland, SanSwiss is described as a major European manufacturer of shower enclosures, screens and other bathroom and wellness products. With product facilities in the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Romania – and now Kudos in the UK – it sells to over 17 countries worldwide.
Speaking of the deal Olivier Gunther and Sebastian Hainz, co-managing directors of SanSwiss said: “Kudos is a well-known brand with an outstanding reputation in manufacturing and selling shower enclosures and shower screens in the UK. With Kudos, we are further expanding our core competence and performance in shower enclosures, shower screens and trays for our partners and customers across Europe.
“We also expect considerable opportunities and synergies through leveraging marketing, technology and product content, new product development, sourcing, and production capacity. Both companies and brands will continue without interruption with their independent sales activities in the respective channels and countries.
“We are confident that the combined high-level expertise will enable us to offer our customers even more benefits and innovative shower and bathroom solutions”.
The current management team which includes Kudos Group MD Mark Hill (pictured left) and sales director Nick Graville, will remain in their roles.
“We are delighted to become part of SanSwiss and the Ronal group, and with the opportunity this now delivers to build on our position in the UK market,” said Hill. “We have a strong management team, with a very clear strategy for the future built around exciting new products and our best-in-class customer service. It is our objective, and the objective of our new owners, to continue to develop our long-standing partnerships with our suppliers and customers.”
Kudos’ group CEO and founder Bruce Ledwith will remain with the company in a consultative role for “the foreseeable future.
“After 23 years, it was not only time to take a step back, but to consider the long-term future of Kudos,” Ledwith said. “This investment by SanSwiss provides, significant growth opportunities and their strong commitment to maintaining and expanding our manufacturing facilities within the UK, provides our people with greater long-term security. SanSwiss have made it clear that their investment is not just in the Kudos brand or market share, but also in the current management team.”
