Bradford-based Flexiform - one of the UK's leading manufacturers of quality office furniture - has been bought by office furniture industry giant Bullough Plc for an undisclosed sum.

The deal - which has been concluded after several weeks of negotiations - is the latest acquisition for Bullough, which has grown in recent years, and now owns other leading market players including Caplan, Asher, Arc and Project.

Flexiform, based in former trolleybus sheds in Leeds Road, Thornbury, will be run as an independent arm of Leatherhead-based Bullough, which has a turnover of over £250 million. There will be no changes to Flexiform's operational and personnel structure.

Ian Darbyshire, managing director of Flexiform, welcomed the acquisition and said: "This is a very exciting time for Flexiform. The sale to Bullough means that we will now have the financial strength, and also strategic leadership, of this very well respected company.

"Over the coming months we will be working together to inject considerable investment into both capital plant and product development to ensure Flexiform remains a leader in metal storage and desking systems.

"We will also be taking advantage of the resources of the other companies within Bullough so we can all enjoy mutual benefits."

The acquisition by Bullough coincides with a number of changes at Flexiform.

The company is introducing a new corporate identity across the whole of its product portfolio to reflect a new approach.

Also, in recent months, the sales team has undergone restructuring, and a new management team appointed.

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