Carron Phoenix has announced the sale of its commercial business to Franke UK, meaning the two businesses will form a single entity for the trading of both brands in the UK and Ireland. Carron Phoenix has been part of the Franke Group for 22 years but, up until now, has traded separately. The merger is due to complete by 1st January 2013. Says Franke UK Managing Director Tracey Bamber The integration of the two businesses is a very positive move for the Franke and Carron brands, giving us a stronger position to serve our customers in a challenging environment. By combining our operations, we can optimise our service levels, share warehousing and logistics capability, as well as satisfy all sectors of the market with a broad product and brand portfolio in sinks and taps. Most commercial functions will be based at the headquarters of Franke UK, based in Manchester. The Carron Phoenix site at Falkirk will focus on the manufacture, warehousing and logistics for coloured granite sinks for the Franke Group worldwide. The two brands of Franke and Carron Phoenix will operate with no disruption to customers. Carron Phoenix customers will have their accounts, together with their terms and conditions, transferred across to Franke UK. Customers purchasing Franke products will continue to be serviced by current Franke distributors. Says Neil Clark, sales marketing director of Carron Phoenix The management teams have been working together for several months and we are confident that this is absolutely the right thing for the UK business. Combining our expertise and resources will bring greater strength and dynamism to serve the market and our customers. Together, we are stronger and it signals a new and positive era for the business and our customers.