Brand K Group acquires Aqualux brand

The acquisition is the eighth in the past five years for Brand K Group and continues its journey towards its stated ambition to become a UK leader in the HVAC and bathroom sector. Aqualux will become part of the Brand K stable of brands, and the group plans to build upon Aqualux’s near 40-year legacy. Brand K will continue to supply Aqualux’s existing customers and showering and bathroom products range, integrating the business into the Group’s operations. Aqualux recently fell into administration due to volatile trading conditions in the home improvement sector and inflationary pressures with the loss of 18 jobs, following which Brand K Group agreed to acquire the brand and certain assets.

Brand K Group, based in Bedford and operating in Wigan, Leeds, Willenhall, Hull, Tewkesbury, and New York, was established in 2008 by Alex Norford. It now employs more than 750 people, and turnover is more than £163m. Kartell UK was the first company in the group. It remained the largest distributing radiators and bathroom fixtures and fittings under the K-RAD and K-VIT brands however since 2019, the group has acquired a series of UK-based manufacturers, including Just Trays, Vogue UK, Summerbridge, MX Group and Paladin Radiators.

Harry Walker and Fahim Kassam from the DSW Midlands provided corporate finance support to Brand K Group.

Partner Harry Walker has also advised Brand K on seven previous acquisitions. On this, Harry said: “We’re once again happy to have advised Alex and the Brand K Group on an acquisition in the KBB sector, this time the brand of Aqualux. In line with our collaborative way of working, we’ve formed a successful partnership with the Group over many years now and look forward to many more years helping to grow and develop their business”.