Kartell UK, one of the largest and fastest-growing suppliers of heating and bathroom products to the independent merchant and showroom sector in the UK, has completed the acquisition of Marleton Cross Limited, together with its subsidiaries, which trade as the MX Group.
Headquartered in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, MX Group is one of the leading manufacturers of shower trays in the UK market. Founded in 1974 by its chairman, Bernard Robinson, who will continue to support the business in a consultancy capacity, the company has grown to become a well-known and important supplier to the shower industry, employing more than 150 people. MX operates from a 90,000sq ft HQ and distribution site.
Kartell’s acquisition of MX Group sees the passing of the baton from the Robinson family to the Kartell Group, with plans to continue to invest in innovation and cutting-edge production methods. The MX Group will operate as a standalone business within the Kartell group under the guidance of the existing management team, whilst benefiting from opportunities to share best practices and provide all of the combined group’s customers with a wider choice of products.
Founded in 2008, Kartell is a supplier of radiators, designer towel warmers and bathroom products to the independent and merchant showroom sector in the UK. The group turns over in excess of £135m under brands K-RAD, K-VIT, JT, Vogue and Summerbridge, employing more than 500 people across principal sites in Bedford, Wigan, Willenhall, Hull and Leeds. The group management team will work closely with the MX Group team to develop the business in the UK and internationally, with the group expecting continued growth across their core markets.
Alex Norford, CEO of Kartell, said: “The MX Group is a long-established and well-respected name in the industry, with a reputation for quality and innovation in showering. We are proud to be taking on the business and look forward to working closely with the team at MX Group to continue Bernard’s legacy and offer our customers an improved range of product options. In addition, we are pleased to play our part in securing the future of the UK shower tray manufacturing industry, given the pressures the sector has been under in recent years.”
Bernard Robinson, founder and Chairman of the MX Group, said: “We are rightly proud of the business that we and the team have developed over the last 50 years and couldn’t be more pleased to have found such a good fit in the Kartell Group as a buyer for the business. The future for the business is bright and we look forward to seeing it develop further and faster with support and investment from its new owners.”
