Salt Union buys new company (From Warrington Guardian)

Salt Union buys new company

SALT Union, the company which owns Winsford Rock Salt Mine, has expanded its services after buying a London-based company for an undisclosed sum.

The company has acquired Direct Salt Supplies which has a Winsford-based packing subsidiary and a head office and southern distribution centre in Southall, London.

Salt Union, the UK's leading producer of salt, hopes the acquisition will strengthen its market position in water softening, food manufacture and de-icing and stresses the employment of its 201 staff will not be affected.

Direct Salt's 34 Winsford and Southall-based employees will also keep their jobs and the newly acquired company will continue to trade at its current location and under its existing name.

Salt Union managing director David Goadby said: "This acquisition will enable us to diversify, develop our portfolio and strengthen the core business by increasing our competitiveness.

"It will develop our long term future and move Salt Union closer to many of its existing customers, particularly in the water softening market.

"As the leading supplier to this market, it is essential that Salt Union continues to develop its services to customers and by working as one team with Direct Salt staff, this is what we aim to do."

Mr Goadby added: "Essentially it is business as usual for both companies but where we can learn a lesson from one business to bring improved services to the customers or improve our competitiveness, we will do so."

Direct Salt, which enjoys annual sales of almost £9 million operates throughout the UK, has a long history of distributing Salt Union products and its main market is water conditioning salt, sold to households, small businesses and other traders.

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