Member Article

David Ross acquires Lancashire workwear brand

Entrepreneur David Ross, who made his name with the development of Carphone Warehouse, has bought control of Kwintet UK - leading supplier of corporate uniforms and workwear - from the Swedish based Kwintet group.

The company will now operate as an independent business and rebrand as Simon Jersey. The firm currently employs 180 staff at its base in Lancashire, and has plans to expand.

The deal to buy the UK business from Swedish parent group Kwintet AB includes the Simon Jersey brand – the leading supplier of corporate wear - as well as Pionér, a fire retardant brand leader within the Oil & Gas and utilities sector.

In addition, the company will still continue to offer garments from the Bragard, Fristads Kansas brands and Wenaas, giving customers the opportunity to clothe employees in the best garments, across the widest range of job roles from one supplier.

Mr Ross’ investment in Simon Jersey, based in Accrington, follows his 2013 purchase of Ballyclare, a leading supplier of protective clothing, which is based in Stockport, and the recent announcement that Ballyclare is expanding through the purchase of Lion firefighter protection.

Speaking of his latest move, Mr Ross said: “The Simon Jersey brand has over 40 years’ experience serving both the UK and international markets, as well as a bespoke design and full service offering, so provides the perfect platform as a namefor the wider business to replace Kwintet.”

Mr Ross added: “This is a great business which has been unable to develop its full potential in recent years. It has a strong reputation for innovative garment design, and with our experience, we believe we can improve the performance of the business further by building on this reputation and allowing the team to be totally committed to putting customers first in every decision.

“Simon Jersey and Ballyclare will operate and trade separately, both being able to prosper and grow by focusing on the specific needs of customers in the respective industries which each business serves, but where opportunities arise and there is a customer need, they will cooperate together to collaboratively deliver a full service one stop shop and even better value.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .