Roper Rhodes Ltd has been acquired by Swedish bathroom supplier Svedbergs Group.
Majority shareholders Mark and Paul Roper, whose father Brian Roper founded the business in 1979, and the board of directors believe this to be great news for the future of the company.
Svedberg Group operate exclusively in the Bathroom sector across the Nordic region, and they are specialists in the design and manufacture of bathroom products, most notably bathroom furniture. There is therefore a great strategic fit and multiple synergies for both businesses.
Mark and Paul Roper will leave the business with immediate effect, although current Managing Director, Leigh Leather, and fellow Directors Will Steele, Simon Taylor, and Chris Vallance will all remain on the Roper Rhodes operational board.
Svedberg Group targeted the acquisition of Roper Rhodes because the company fits with one of its key strategic objectives to acquire market leading brands in the bathroom sector in key European markets.
MD Leigh Leather will report directly into Svedberg Group CEO, Per-Arne Andersson, but for all other employees there is likely to be little if no change in the day-to-day running of the company.
Over many years the Roper Family have received numerous approaches and offers to sell the business to both Private Equity investors and multiple Trade operators in the building products and bathroom sector.
Leigh Leather, Managing Director at Roper Rhodes, 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 is one of the Nordic region's leading bathroom suppliers with comprehensive ranges for the entire bathroom including product categories such as furniture, shower enclosures, bathtubs, heated towel rails, taps, showers, sanitaryware, and bathroom accessories.
Most of the product ranges are designed and manufactured in the Group's Swedish factories in Dalstorp and Laholm. Products are sold and distributed under three brands; Svedbergs, Macro Design and Cassøe.
The parent company Svedbergs i Dalstorp AB was founded in 1920 as a tin manufacturer. In 1962 it switched its focus to manufacturing bathroom cabinets. During the seventies bathroom furniture was developed and during the eighties, the current focus began to develop, manufacture and market the complete bathroom under Svedberg's own brand.
Svedberg i Dalstorp AB is headquartered in Dalstorp, Sweden, and have been listed on the Swedish stock exchange since 1997.
Per-Arne Andersson, President and CEO of Svedbergs Group, 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.”
