Keylite Roof Windows, part of The Keystone Group, has acquired the Em.glaze and Ray.lux flat glass rooflight ranges from Whitesales.
In parallel to the acquisition, Whitesales and Keylite have announced a strategic partnership. Keylite will take over the servicing of Whitesales’ merchant reseller customer base, including roofing merchants, builders’ merchants and online resellers. This gives merchants a single ordering point through Keylite while maintaining existing products, pricing structures and service standards.
A company statement said the management teams of both businesses have worked together to ensure that this will be a seamless transition for customers. The same products, with the same names and prices, will be available to them and promoted by Keylite’s nationwide field sales team.
Moving forward, Whitesales stated that it will focus on its bespoke roof glazing systems and concept to completion service model. In addition, the Em.dome range will continue to be fulfilled by Whitesales but for merchant customers, ordered through Keylite under this new partnership arrangement.
Jim Blanthorne, managing director at Keylite, said: “Discussions between Keylite and Whitesales regarding an acquisition have been ongoing for several years. It was essential for both businesses that such a move occurred at the right time and for the benefit of both our customers. Having had a long-standing relationship, we understand customer service the Whitesales way, and we are committed to ensuring that this continues.
“Our aim is not to change what Whitesales has done but to strengthen it. By bringing the supply-only flat roof windows part of the business into Keylite, we simplify the supply chain and improve operational efficiency, enabling us to be faster, more agile and responsive to customer needs, while remaining focused on delivering the same quality and care as before.
“The acquisition will help accelerate a multi-million-pound growth strategy for Keylite, enhancing and expanding our manufacturing capabilities. For customers, that translates into greater availability of stock, faster lead times and even better technical expertise.”
Chester White, managing director at Whitesales, said: “We saw in Keylite a business that truly reflects our own values. This is a family-owned, well-managed, high-performing business with deep, established customer relationships and a clear commitment to operating with integrity.
“Much like Whitesales, the team at Keylite takes real pride in providing innovative, high-quality roof light solutions to its customers, matched by a superior level of customer service. This was paramount to the Whitesales team when agreeing on the sale.
“This part of the business (supply-only flat roof windows) has the backing of the whole Keylite machine, and the customer experience will only get better. Though the acquisition has taken place, it is very much business as usual, with very little difference in day-to-day activity for customers – a significant amount of effort has gone into maintaining the status quo from products, pricing and warranties to customer contacts and service levels.
“Ultimately, this acquisition marks a step towards both businesses becoming stronger, more resilient and capable, which our customers can rely on today and into the future.”
