British manufacturer Kudos Shower Products has been acquired by SanSwiss AG, part of The Ronal Group of companies, for an undisclosed sum.

Headquartered in Härkingen, Switzerland, SanSwiss is a European manufacturer of shower enclosures and shower screens, alongside bathroom and wellness products.

The acquisition will enable expansion in the UK market with existing Sanswiss products; growth potential in Europe for the Kudos range; and development of new products through the combined resource.

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Supplying 17 countries,  SanSwiss has production facilities in the Czech Republic, Italy and Romania and with the acquisition of Kudos Shower Products, now also in the UK and South Africa.

It also has sales offices in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Romania and with Kudos also in the UK.

Kudos Shower Products has designed and manufacturing shower products at its Cumbria facility since 1999.

Olivier Gunther and Sebastian Hainz, co-managing directors of SanSwiss, commented on the opportunities and synergies with Kudos:

”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 acquisition will see Kudos founder and outgoing CEO Bruce Ledwith remain with the company in a consultative role: “After 23 years, it was not only time to take a step back, but to consider the long-term future of Kudos.

“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.”

Kudos Group MD Mark Hill said: “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.

“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.”

Sales director Nick Graville added: “These really are exciting times for all concerned!

“We now have access to resources and product ranges that will enable Kudos to evolve more quickly and add further value to customers in the UK bathroom marketplace”.