Owner of JT and Aqualux, Brand K Group has bought British bath manufacturer Carron Bathrooms, marking its ninth acquisition.

It adds to the privately-owned group’s portfolio, also including Kartell UK, MX Group, Paladin, Summerbridge and Vogue UK, supplied to retailers and independent merchants.

Brand K Group has a £170m turnover, employs more than 750 people and is based in Bedford, with operations in Wigan, Leeds, Willenhall, Hull, Tewkesbury, New York, Qingdao and Almassora.

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The acquisition of Carron Bathrooms follows the openings of a shower enclosure factory at Kartell China in Qingdao and Just Trays EU shower tray plant at Almassora in Spain, to increase production capacity and market share.

Falkirk-based Carron Bathrooms has a history dating back to 1759 and in common with other group businesses is part of the Made in Britain campaign with all its baths finished by hand on-site.

Carron Bathrooms has been acquired from long-term shareholders John Hewitt and David McMorrine.

The senior management team of managing director James McMorrine (pictured), operations and finance director Jane Miller and technical director Gavin White will remain in place and David McMorrine will support as a board consultant

Kartell UK will act as a distribution partner for Carron Bathrooms, providing next day delivery, UK-wide.

The first and largest company in the group, Kartell UK distributes radiators and bathroom fixtures and fittings under the K-RAD and K-VIT brands, and has been joined by the acquisition of complementary businesses since 2019.

Commenting on its latest acquisition, CEO of Brand K Group Alex Norford said: “Bringing Carron Bathrooms into the Brand K family is another exciting development for our business.

“This follows the recent opening of our new facilities in China and Spain as part of our ambition to become UK market leaders and grow further our European market share.

“Carron has an exceptional reputation within the UK industry for the quality of its products and everyone at the group is looking forward to welcoming the team and partnering with them to grow and develop the company further.

“As a group we now offer a one-stop shop across bathrooms and radiators from our stable of British brands.”

Director of Carron Bathrooms David McMorrine added: “As custodians of a business steeped in history, allied to industry-leading quality products, John and I feel truly gratified to have found an excellent new home for Carron Bathrooms.

“We are very optimistic for the future of the business with the support of Alex and the Brand K team and we would like to thank everyone at Carron for their dedication and skills, which both make the business what it is and have helped it to reach this stage in its journey.

“We look forward to its continued success into the future.”

Harry Walker, who has advised Brand K Group on eight previous acquisitions, and Daniel Choucino from the Midlands office of Dow Schofield Watts provided corporate finance support to the business.