Berner UK in change of owner

Berner UK, the Fife-based subsidiary of the pan-european Berner Group, has signed an agreement that sees its managing director become sole shareholder of the business.

The deal, which includes a sole distribution agreement, was concluded for an undisclosed sum between MD Chris Howe and Berner chief executive Christian Berner, son of Albert Berner, who established the company in Germany in 1957.

Based in Dunfermline, and employing 45 staff, Berner UK services local authorities, agriculture and the utilities markets. It supplies its own range of branded engineering and automotive products, hand and power tools, janitorial and workshop consumables throughout the UK, primarily to customers in the HGV, bus, coach and transportation sectors.

Earlier this year, Berner Europe announced that it would withdraw from the UK automotive industry.

Howe said: “This decision was taken primarily to allow Berner Group to focus on and strengthen its chemical business in the UK.

“I also believe the automotive sector is still a very strong one for us, with as yet, untapped future growth. I believe that it can weather any future political and economic change.

“In the UK we are very fortunate to enjoy strong brand recognition and a high level of procurement for our own product range, particularly within this sector.”

Job losses are said to have been minimised across Berner UK by the buyout deal, with numbers now estimated at 16, rather than the previously estimated 61.

Howe added: “We have future-proofed the business, although there is much work to be done in the coming months.”