Al-Ko Gardentech acquires New Zealand manufacturer Masport

Al-Ko Gardentech, a subsidiary of the German Al-Ko Group, has taken over the New Zealand manufacturer of garden and outdoor equipment, Masport. The deal went through in August 2017. According to Al-Ko, Masport is the market leader in New Zealand and number two in Australia in the development and production of high-quality garden appliances. The products are marketed under the Masport and Morrison brands. The Auckland-based company, which was established in 1910, also offers a wide range of barbecue equipment. Steve Hughes, the managing director of Masport for the last ten years, will continue to oversee operations and will report directly to Dr Wolfgang Hergeth, CEO of Al-Ko Gardentech, in future.
It is expected at Al-Ko that the anticyclical nature of the garden season will boost sales growth as well as profitability. "We will carefully examine the extent to which mutual product and market integration takes place," says Hergeth.