EMC Tiles, which is based in
Hucknall Road, has bought Leicester Tile Centre for an undisclosed sum.
The move comes only two months
after EMC splashed out £500,000 on developing a trade centre of excellence on
the Southglade Industrial estate next to its existing premises.
EMC employs 31 people and will take on an additional nine with the acquisition of Leicester Tile Centre.
EMC employs 31 people and will take on an additional nine with the acquisition of Leicester Tile Centre.
 |
Done deal: East Midlands Ceramics managing
director, Barry Slawson, left,
with John Newcombe, of Leicester Tile Centre. |
The deal has come about because the owner of Leicester Tile Centre, John Newcombe, wanted to sell out of the business.
Barry Slawson, managing director
of EMC Tiles, says the move means the business will be able to build on its
existing branch in Loughborough and expand its customer base further
south.
He said: "We have been
looking to expand our business into the Leicester area for some time. We
already have a highly successful branch in Loughborough and the opportunity to
acquire the Leicester Tile Centre was too good to miss.
"This has made 2014 an
exceptionally exciting year for us. This new acquisition opens up a whole new
trading area – into south Leicestershire and the central Midlands and we are
very much looking forward to introducing new customers to our blend of customer
services and value for money."
Mr Slawson says the two firms are
similar businesses. EMC was founded more than 35 years ago, while
Leicester Tile Centre is also family-run and was launched around 30 years ago.
"It could really be
described as a marriage of two companies with compatible
backgrounds," said Mr Slawson
"This is a very exciting
time for EMC Tiles and we relish the prospect of bringing our particular way of
providing a very focused service for our retail and trade customers.
"Over the next few months, we
will be introducing some exciting new product ranges – along with an even more
comprehensive selection of tiling tools and materials – at the best possible
prices.
"We would like to stress
that we are building on a very sound foundation with a very popular and
well-run business and we believe our experience and expertise can only enhance
the opportunities for all tile buyers in the Leicester area."
Mr Newcombe, who has now decided
to pursue other business interests, said: "Both companies were founded
around the same time and over the years we have developed a huge amount of
respect for each other in the ways in which we conduct our business.
"EMC Tiles is the perfect
match as a buyer and we are delighted that our long established family business
is being handed over to another."
