Over 100 jobs have been saved after a private equity company snapped up beauty products firm Arran Aromatics from administrators.
Leeds-based Endless said manufacturing and retail operations will continue on the Isle of Arran as well its six retail outlets.
Francesco Santinon, a Glaswegian who led the investment for Endless, added that the new owner planned to announce “more retail stores in the future”.
Arran, established in 1989 by Janet and Iain Russell has grown as a luxury brand in the natural wellbeing space with its range of fragranced soaps, moisturisers and home products. Sales reached £6million per year but the firm experienced “growing pains” that required further investment, Endless said.
William Wellesley, the former managing director of Molton Brown Cosmetics prior to its sale to Kao Corporation, will join the board as non-executive chairman. Allan Caldwell, previously chief executive of Scottish Fine Soaps and an experienced manufacturing and retail executive, has also been appointed as chief operating officer.
Mr Santinon said: “Arran is one of those quintessentially Scottish brands that resonates with consumers around the world. We are delighted to be working with the Russell family to continue the progress of recent years of establishing Arran on a global stage and expect to be announcing more retail stores in the future.
“Due to the growing pains experienced over recent years it became evident that Arran required further investment that has now been secured as has the future for its employees. Its manufacturing and retail operations will continue to operate as normal.”
Andrew Russell, son of the founders and brand director, added: “We are delighted to have received the investment from Endless, which has been delivered at a vital time for Arran.
“The investment in the brand over the past few years has positioned it well for growth across a wide range of geographies and this new investment will help us make this a reality. ‘Arran, Sense of Scotland’ is poised to join the best loved Scottish brands around the world and we are all very excited about the future.”
Endless is an experienced retail investor, having driven the growth of The Works Stores from 200 to nearly 400 stores and includes Bathstore and The West Cornwall Pasty Company amongst its previous investments.