Oceanair Distribution Ltd has been acquired by an investment group for an undisclosed sum. The deal does not affect Oceanair (UK) Ltd, the Nottingham-based distributor, which continues as a separate stand-alone company.
Following the sale, Oceanair Distribution’s owner and Managing Director Bob Cowlard has left the company to take up a new senior position as Business Planning Manager at Sanyo’s air conditioning business, with responsibility for overall strategy and product development.
Oceanair Distribution Ltd, which handles Sanyo, LG and Fujitsu equipment, becomes part of Cripps Trust Corporation, under the day-to-day management of the existing senior team. Richard Tyson becomes Managing Director, Giles Pratt Sales Director and David Livingstone Operations Director.
Bob Cowlard said: “I have no doubt I am leaving Oceanair in good hands. They are an experienced and enthusiastic team, and under their leadership the company is well positioned to move forward to its next stage of growth.
“I have enjoyed building the business tremendously over the past two years. My return to Sanyo in this new role, however, is a great opportunity and I am excited about the challenge. I am looking forward to helping take the company on in the air conditioning and related markets.”
Oceanair Distribution has grown solidly in recent years. From its original base in Horsham it has expanded to Bristol, the location of its new state-of-the-art training centre.
The company’s recent pioneering initiative with Calor Gas, for the roll-out of ground-breaking lpg-powered heat pump chillers, is bearing fruit. The systems, aimed at applications where electrical power is maxed out and mains gas unavailable, have been specified in a number of high profile applications.
Richard Tyson, Managing Director, said: “Oceanair is in good shape and the team excited about the challenge of developing the business further.
Giles Pratt, Sales Director, added: “We have a great range of brands and products, and major plans to target larger projects on the consultancy side. There are some substantial projects in the pipeline. The combined experience and knowledge of the team are second to none in this area, and key to success.”
