ROCHFORD BOUGHT BY AL-KO GARDENTECH

Rochford Garden Machinery has announced that the acquisition of their company, by German manufacturer AL-KO Gardentech, was completed on Wednesday 1st August.

Rochford have told Service Dealer that 100% of the company has been acquired, with all divisions, staff and product lines remaining unchanged.

Both parties have agreed to confidentiality regarding the financial terms of the arrangement.

Rochford, based in Wincanton, Somerset, is one of UK´s leading garden machinery suppliers, both in imports and sales of domestic and commercial garden machinery. The family run business has been an importer of AL-KO products for almost 15 years.

Elizabeth Rochford, wife of founder Peter Rochford said of the acquisition, "We are pleased to have AL-KO Gardentech, our long time partner, as our new owner, which helps us to take Rochford to a new level of profitability, sales and market penetration.

"With this merger, we have taken the necessary steps and passed our business on to experienced hands to ensure sustainable future development for employees and customers.

"We have every confidence in AL-KO Gardentech that our company will be led into a stable future and that Rochford will remain a professional home for our employees. Furthermore, the management team around managing director, Stewart Anderson, will stay the same."  This management team includes Mark Rochford and sister Kerry Moore.

Managing director of Rochfords, Stewart Anderson told Service Dealer, "The exciting acquisition gives us the opportunity to take our business to the next level and develop our portfolio of brands. The company and its ranges will continue as they are, with the added benefit of developing new product categories from the AL-KO company in new channels.

"We are embarking on 10 dealer shows across the UK in September to showcase our new product ranges, technical updates, and competitive trade terms, details of which will be released shortly.”