Scandinavian bathroom brand Svedbergs Group has acquired 100% shareholding of Bath-based Roper Rhodes.

Established by Brian Roper in 1979, the family company still had sons Mark and Paul Roper as majority shareholders but they will now leave the business with immediate effect.

Current managing director Leigh Leather will report directly into Svedberg Group CEO Per-Arne Andersson, and fellow directors Will Steele, Simon Taylor and Chris Vallance will all remain on the Roper Rhodes operational board.

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Svedberg Group targeted Roper Rhodes because the company fits with one of its key strategic objectives, which is to acquire market-leading brands in the bathroom sector in key European markets.

They identified Roper Rhodes with its three brands – Roper Rhodes, Tavistock & R2 – as a strategic fit with the company that sells bathroom products in the Nordic region.

Leigh Leather, Managing Director Roper Rhodes Ltd commented: “I am personally very excited for the future of our business and think this step offers strong continuity for both our employees and customers alike”.

Svedbergs Group suppliers furniture, shower enclosures, bathtubs, heated towel rails, taps, showers, sanitaryware and bathroom accessories.

Most of its product ranges are designed and manufactured in the Group’s factories in Dalstorp and Laholm and sold under three brands; Svedbergs, Macro Design and Cassøe.

The parent company Svedbergs i Dalstorp AB was started in 1920 manufacturing tin and in 1962 switched to manufacturing bathroom cabinets.

Headquartered in Dalstorp Sweden, Svedbergs i Dalstorp AB has been listed on the Swedish stock exchange since 1997.

President and CEO of Svedbergs Group Per-Arne Andersson commented: ”Roper Rhodes is a perfect match with Svedbergs Group’s strategy and ambition of becoming the leading bathroom supplier in selected markets in Europe.

“Roper Rhodes is well-managed and financially strong with a strong market position and more than 40 years in the industry in the United Kingdom.

“The company is very similar to the other branded companies of the Svedbergs Group with strong brands and innovative products in different sales channels and a diverse customer base.

“Together with the experienced Roper Rhodes management team we are looking forward to grow in the British market, which provides clear potential going forward due to its size and underlying demand for new homes and refurbishment.

“The acquisition of Roper Rhodes is in line with Svedbergs’ strategy to grow organically and through strategic acquisitions and let companies operate independently with their own management and strategic focus areas while benefitting from Svedbergs’ central functions and experience.”