Tableware manufacturer Arc International has sold Arc International Tableware UK Ltd (AITUK) for an undisclosed sum. The Pyrex brand is unaffected.
Brian Thorp has purchased the UK distribution arm, which for the past year has concentrated activity soleley on the food service market. He becomes managing director.

Arc International ceo Guillaume de Fougieres said: "I am pleased to have come to such an agreement with Brian, whom I know well and who has many years experience in the UK catering trade. He has built up a reputation for service excellence, flexibility of supply and a strong loyalty and support of his customers.

This will definitely put the company in a position to build on its current role as the largest and most professional stockist of Arcoroc, Chef & Sommelier and Initial branded products in the UK, and adapt further to the changing needs of the market.

Arc International, whose portfolio of brands includes Pyrex, Luminarc and Arcoroc, also divested itself of its Spanish manufacturing facility earlier in the year, selling it to the management who were in place. The decision was described as "difficult" by the company and ascribed to falling demand in the European tableware market.