Housewares manufacturer Thermos has bought Brands Home & Leisure (BHL) Group – the company that has been its distribution partner in the UK since 2001.

Based in Leeds, BHL Group distributes to the UK market through a range of retail channels on behalf of several brands, including Alfi, Luminarc, Cristal D’Arques, and Le Parfait, as well Thermos. The firm was established in the 1930s as a housewares distributor, specialising in glassware.

Thermos makes portable insulated food and drink containers sold under its flagship Genuine Thermos Brand.

As part of the acquisition, the existing BHL senior management team of Nick Kime, Mark Snape and Richard Walker will remain in place. They will work closely with the Thermos team to help deliver the group’s plans to further develop its business in the UK.

Thermos LLC president and CEO Rick Dias said: “BHL Group has been a valuable and steadfast partner for 16 years.

“We are excited to join together in this new alliance and look forward to creating opportunities for expanded growth in the UK market.”

BHL Group MD Nick Kime added: “Thermos and Genuine Thermos Brand products have been at the core of our business since the beginning of our partnership. This is a natural next step in the evolution of our successful union.”