100% of the shareholding of Roper Rhodes Ltd has been acquired by Svedbergs Group as of 1 December 2021.
Svedberg Group operate exclusively in the bathroom sector across the Nordic region, and they are specialists in the design and manufacture of bathroom products and most notably bathroom furniture, so there is 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.
As majority shareholders, Mark and Paul Roper, whose father Brian Roper founded the business in 1979, and the board of directors have said they believe that this acquisition is great news for the future of the company.
Svedberg Group reportedly targeted the acquisition of Roper Rhodes because the company fits with one of their key strategic objectives to acquire market-leading brands in the bathroom sector in key European markets. They identified Roper Rhodes as a great strategic fit with three strong brands (Roper Rhodes, Tavistock & R2), impressive customer retention, employee loyalty, a focus on innovation and product development along with a long track record of profitable sales growth in the UK.
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 current organisation.
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 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 & manufactured in the Group’s 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 started in 1920 manufacturing tin and in 1962 switched 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 has 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.”
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