Two major domestic lighting distributors join forces to create the £35m-strong Associated Lighting Group.
Leeds-based Ring Lighting and Manchester-based Trident have today merged to create the Associated Lighting Group (ALG) - forming a group with a turnover in excess of £35m and becoming the 2nd largest player within the market.

Former Trident executive chairman, David Gutfreund will take up the role of ALG chief executive. He explained the reason behind the move: "The merger of Ring Lighting and Trident allows the combined group to emerge extremely strong, and places us in an excellent position to take full advantage of the recovery.

"[It] represents a major consolidation within the industry, and we will be aiming to strengthen ALG's position over the short term as we look to acquire smaller competitors and increase our market share. Moreover, this move has substantially reduced Ring Lighting's debt."

Both Ring Lighting and Trident are major suppliers to DIY, grocery and high street retailers, supplying leading chains including B&Q, Argos, Focus DIY, Pagazzi Lighting, Homebase, Tesco, Asda, Wilkinson and Next.

According to the company, current trading relationships will remain unaffected by the creation of ALG, with both Ring Lighting and Trident still managed as two separate entities with their own client base, overseen by teams of senior personnel.

The newly formed ALG board will comprise of five main board directors. Chaired by Nicholas Jeffrey, it will include David Gutfreund as chief executive, Bruce Davidson, md of Ring Lighting, Brom Dixon, md of Trident and David Green as group finance director.

Mr Gutfreund commented: "As a senior management team, we are very well placed to hit the ground running with ALG - between us we have many years of corporate experience within lighting and other commercial sectors."