Cumbrian candle and reed diffuser supplier Pintail Candles has been acquired by Cheshire-based GBJ Services, which runs homewares business Avalon Home.
Pintail Candles was formed in 1993 by husband-and-wife team James and Fiona Long and employs 15 people. It currently supplies its instantly recognisable candle tins to gift retailers across the UK.
The two family-run brands have come together with the joint aim of keeping supply chains and jobs local to the North of England, and providing quality bespoke British products.
Formed in 1925 and run by 32-year-old Samantha Johnson, Avalon Home provides bespoke homewares such as quality table linens to retailers across the country.
Samantha and her team will now build on Pintail’s heritage, continuing to use local suppliers in Cumbria and the North, but providing more options in terms of new scents and bespoke packaging. Through technology and automation, they will be able to offer more product innovation and a superior product, while bringing down prices.
The products will also have more of a focus on the environment and sustainability, in terms of the packaging choices and production methods.
Samantha said: “Candle-making has a long and proud history in this country, and we saw a huge potential in Pintail as a business with a loyal fan base and recognisable brand. We are really excited about providing contract candles to new venues and retailers whose customers are keen for fresh new scents and a more premium product, sustainable packaging options, and a faster turnaround.”
John Pearce, CEO of Made in Britain (of which Avalon Home is a member) commented: “The team at Avalon Home has impressed all of us at Made in Britain with its dynamism, and passion for creating bespoke homewares in the UK, and we are thrilled to see the business grow through this acquisition and create wealth for the local economy.”
Avalon Home will now build on creating a more premium Pintail brand, and new bespoke candle options in time for the lead-up to Christmas.
www.avalonhome.co.uk
