Dublin-based distribution company KAL Group has been named as the new distributor of De Dietrich kitchen appliances in the UK, following the closure of De Dietrich Kitchen Appliances earlier this month.
KAL Group, a member of the Gowan Group of companies, are said to be honouring all warranty obligations for the De Dietrich brand as part of the agreement, according to a statement from Groupe Brandt (France), which currently owns the troubled kitchen appliance brand.
It also been reported in various new releases said that key members of staff from De Dietrich Kitchen Appliances Ltd have been appointed and 'a re-stocking project is already underway'.
Of the deal, Groupe Brandt (France) Northern Europe export director Sebastien Cuault said KAL Group's business model “fits perfectly with our ongoing global intentions for the De Dietrich brand”. He added: “We greatly look forward to working with the Group and to re-establishing a strong De Dietrich presence in the UK marketplace.”
De Dietrich Kitchen Appliances Ltd was placed into creditors' voluntary liquidation earlier this month after Cevital Group – which bought FagorBrandt in the Spring – decided not to acquire the UK company, preferring to distribute products via commercial partnerships.
A member of the Gowan Group of companies, KAL Group, founded in 1981 is the leading distributor and supporter of leading brands for Ireland's electrical and kitchen retailers, panelling centres and builder & plumber merchants. In Northern Ireland the group trades under the name AB Distributors.
The company is already a distributor of brand leaders such as the Aga range cookers, Breville small domestic appliances, Dirt Devil vacuum cleaners, Elica cooker hoods, Franke sinks and taps, from Switzerland, Insinkerator waste disposal units, LG home appliances, Neff built-in appliances from Germany, SBOX kitchen solutions, in addition to Sharp appliances and consumer electronics. As such, their experience of distributing domestic is vast but it remains to be seen how KAL Group will handle the premium De Dietrich brand, and whether or not the brand will be re-positioned or have its premium marquee supported further.
In turn KAL Group owner The Gowan Group is a family-owned holding company, directly controlling many successful trading companies as well as significant property holdings and financial investments in public and private companies in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the U.K. and exclusively distributes a number of blue chip brand names in Ireland, including Peugeot and Honda, in addition to those distributed by KAL.
