Gardening equipment supplier Hozelock has been bought by French spraying specialist Exel Industries, but will continue to manufacture in the UK.
The acquisition will mean "a formidable proposition in the market for gardening products," said Hozelock. When DIY Week asked the company whether it would mean any changes to headcount, ceo David Algar replied: "We foresee no major changes to the business - essentially [it is] business as usual for all our customers, suppliers and employees."

In a statement, he added: "It is unsurprising, yet flattering, that a business the scale of Exel Industries would wish to bring Hozelock on board. We're confident that our horticultural expertise, technical innovation and knowledge of our customers' requirements will provide a perfect fit to Exel's own considerable heritage and commercial ambitions, and it all points towards an exciting future for Hozelock.'

Exel Industries' md Guerric Ballu added: "We welcome Hozelock Group into Exel Industries with great pleasure. The strong reputation of its brand names, its large distribution networks and the wide variety of its supply are important factors in continuing our growth in consumer markets."