Kartell UK, one of the largest suppliers of heating and bathroom products to the independent merchant and showroom sector in the UK, has announced it has completed the multimillion-pound acquisition of Vogue UK and UK Bespoke Products from their founding shareholders and management team.
Headquartered in Willenhall, West Midlands, Vogue is a designer and manufacturer offering a wide range of towel rails and radiators with UK-based manufacturing and finishing services. Having traded for more than 30 years, Vogue today is led by an experienced management team and employs more than 80 people, delivering more than £14m in annual sales. Founded in 2008, Kartell turns over in excess of £110m using brands K-RAD, K-VIT and JT, and employs more than 350 people across principal sites in Bedford, Wigan and Leeds.
Kartell said that its investment in Vogue will support further growth in both the UK and internationally, where Vogue has an existing presence in the US market, as well as enabling a wider range of products and services to be offered to both Kartell and Vogue’s customer base. As part of the deal, Vogue will continue to operate as a standalone business within the Kartell group under the guidance of the existing management team, with ongoing integration and leadership support from founders Ray Tunks and Rob Kelley.
Alex Norford, CEO of Kartell, said: “The acquisition of Vogue represents a clear and strategic step in our growth strategy and further establishes our position at the forefront of the UK radiator and bathroom sector. Everyone at Kartell is excited about working with Ray, Rob and the team at Vogue to address the multiple market opportunities in the UK, Europe and International export markets. Our shared focus of best-in-class quality and service will bring added value to all of the group’s customers and stakeholders.”
Ray Tunks, co-founder of Vogue, said: “In this post-pandemic environment, I am confident the investment from Alex and Kartell will enable future growth and secure an exciting future for Vogue, all its staff and the Kartell Group.”
Robert Kelley, co-founder of Vogue, added: “We wanted to find the ideal home for the business to complement and accelerate the work we have done as a team over the last 30 years and believe Alex and the wider Kartell group are the right people to take Vogue forward. The last 30 years has been a fantastic story for everyone involved and there have been an awful lot of people along the way who have made a considerable contribution. I would like to thank them all.”
