GLEN DIMPLEX GROUP INTEGRATES THREE LEADING BRANDS IN NEW GAS FIRE DIVISION
A new Gas Fire Division has been created by the Glen Dimplex Group following the recent acquisition of two of the UK’s leading fire brands - Valor and Wonderfire. Alongside Robinson Willey, the brand that was acquired in 2010 by the group, these three foremost brands now form part of the largest and most powerful portfolio of gas fire names in the UK.
Targeting both trade and retail sectors, and headed up by newly-appointed Commercial Director, Richard Beaman, who brings over 20 years experience in the gas fire industry to his new role, the division will benefit from over £2million investment in state-of-the-art R&D facilities to develop the next generation of fires.
Comments Richard Beaman: “This latest development will help breathe fire into these celebrated brands. Plus, the access that we now have to the valuable resources and investment from the Glen Dimplex Group will facilitate untold product development and innovation and help create a spring board for future growth.”
The new Gas Fire R&D Facility will be managed by the well-known industry figure for fires, Technical Director Willie Byrne. Formerly with Valor and with over 25 years experience in the fires industry, Willie is charged with new product development and raising the technical excellence of this expansive portfolio of gas and electric fires.
Richard adds: “Willie brings a wealth of high level experience and personal enthusiasm to his role and will be an invaluable asset to the Division’s future growth. Indeed under his guidance, the new product development programme is already well underway with several channel-specific product designs ready to be showcased at forthcoming events.”
Within the new Division, each brand will also provide an electric offering. Whilst Valor and Wonderfire will target the retail trade, Robinson Willey and Valor will present an electric offering exclusively for the contract sector.
To support the Division’s ambitious growth plans, a new multi-branded sales team has been established to provide national coverage of both trade and retail sectors. Leading the team are two new National Sales Managers - Chris Featherstone and Phil Wing – who each assume the position of National Sales Manager for the retail and contract sectors respectively.
In addition, under the guidance of new Product Marketing Manager, Tracey Falshaw – formerly of Robinson Willey – the Division is rolling out several powerful marketing initiatives to further raise the profile of the brands, including a unified presence at several high profile exhibitions.
Richard concludes: “The creation of this new Division not only opens up endless opportunities to stimulate the growth of these much-loved brands, it will help support the longevity and prosperity of the UK fire industry as a whole. We are all delighted to be part of this exciting development.”
-ENDS-
PRESS CONTACT: Julie A. Garrido - Wentworth Communications Ltd - Tel: 0161 973 6763 Fax: 0161 969 6813 Email: julie@wentworthcomms.co.uk
PHOTO-CAPTION:
Pictured here; Commercial Director, Richard Beaman who heads up the new Gas Fire Division that has been created by the Glen Dimplex Group and that includes the largest and most powerful portfolio of gas fire names in the UK including Valor, Wonderfire and Robinson Willey.
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