Chemical manufacturer expands with acquisition

LAUNDRY chemical manufacturing specialist Christeyns UK has acquired another Yorkshire business.

Huddersfield-based dry cleaning chemical manufacturer, Cole and Wilson, which was launched in 1927, has been bought by Bradford’s Christeyns UK – part of the Chrystens group, based in Belgium.

This latest acquisition follows on from Christeyns UK’s purchase of Leicester-based Alex Reid 18 months ago. Reid is a garment care business, also supplying dry cleaning and laundry chemicals.

Christeyns UK managing director Nick Garthwaite said the acquisition strengthens its position in this specialised industry. He said: “We are keen to continue to lead this important sector through the excellence of our products and services, and the addition of this well-respected company to our portfolio will help us provide additional services to our customers as well as develop the sector.  We’re delighted to have the Cole and Wilson team on board.”

Richard Cole, managing director and great grandson of one of the founding partners of Cole and Wilson, said that joining Christeyns would inject a wider knowledge pool into the company and there were many benefits to come from being part of a global operation. 

“We’ve got the products and a very good reputation in this field; being part of Christeyns will mean we can take the business to a new level and expand into Europe, too.  Building on the product range through Christeyns will give us added strength and the support of a wider team of experts in this field,” he added.