New owner heads east with Polypipe

Polypipe Group plans to enter Chinese manufacturing after owner IMI sold the firm for 293m last week.

New owner Castle Harlan said it will let Polypipe operate as an independent company following the acquisition.

A Castle Harlan spokesman told CJ that the company plans to develop new products through a joint venture with a Chinese manufacturer.

Its first Chinese factory is scheduled to come online later this year to make taps and sink wastes for its range of bathrooms and kitchens.

As part of the sale, Blair Illingworth has stepped down as chief executive of the company. He has been replaced by former managing director of the firm's civils business, David Hall, who has been working with Castle Harlan for several months on the acquisition.