Scots aerosol makers aiming for growth after tie-up

Aerosol makers Barony and Sanmex are planning to merge

Two Scottish aerosol manufacturers that have been competitors for years are to combine, creating a business with a combined turnover of £40 million.

Both Barony Universal, which is based in Irvine, Ayrshire, and Sanmex International, from Rutherglen, Glasgow, will continue to trade under their own names “for the foreseeable future”, bosses said yesterday.

It is hoped the combined expertise and track record of the two firms will deliver “a significant competitive advantage”, allowing the single group to pursue larger contracts, both in the UK and globally.

Between them, Barony and Sanmex fill more than 100 million units a year, primarily anti-perspirants, body and hairsprays and household cleaners. The joint operation will employ almost 230 people across the two sites.

Steven Groden is currently chief executive of Sanmex and will take on the same role at the new group. He said: “The enlarged operation will benefit from huge shared wisdom.”