Former Cooper Callas MD Darren Cooper acquires sink manufacturer

Founded in 1984, the Astracast sink brand has been acquired by the former managing director of Cooper Callas Darren Cooper.

Based in Leeds, the company was part of Spring Ram Corporation’s group of companies and grew throughout the 90s to have manufacturing in both UK and Malta.

It has introduced models such as the ROK composite Dart, stainless steel Elan and Vantage Sio which features black glass panels. 

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However, the company has struggled to maintain its profitability and Cooper proposes to turn the company around through reinvestment, restructuring and a new focus on just sinks.

Darren Cooper commented on the acquisition: “We are going to take the brand back to great! Our aim is to become the number one brand, once again, over the next three years. By removing the resource-draining, unprofitable baths sectors and putting all our resource and energy into the core business of sinks we will take the business to the next level.

“Astracast has a heritage and expertise second to none, and with this we will have the solid foundations upon which to rebuild the brand.” In the last six months, the company has already made plans to replace its factories with two ISO approved manufacturing plants, one in the UK and one in Malta, which will be in operation by 2018.

These purpose built factories will have 50% more capacity, to accommodate UK and export growth, and a 4,000sqft HQ will also be opened in Leeds in February 2018. In addition, the company is investing in the design and production of composite, stainless steel and ceramic sinks which will be unveiled at Kbb Birmingham.

Cooper added: “Existing customers are fully on board with the brand transformation and see this as a huge positive step.” He continued: “One of the strongest demonstrations of commitment comes from Travis Perkins who have just agreed a new 2.5 year contract with the company to sell its brand, moving from OEM. Long term commitment has also been agreed with all other major customers.”