Historic British floorcare manufacturer, Ewbank Products Ltd, has been acquired by electrical appliance company, Bluestem Group.
The origins of Ewbank date back to 1864 when the business, then known as Entwisle & Kenyon Limited, manufactured water meters; later producing washing machines and mangles. In 1889 the first Ewbank carpet sweeper was launched in the United Kingdom.
Bluestem Group licenced the Ewbank brand for the UK in 2019. Since then, they have launched an extended range of corded and cordless vacuums, hard floor cleaners and outdoor appliances. Following the successful partnership with Ewbank to develop the brand in the UK, the two businesses agreed to an acquisition deal for the UK entity and the worldwide trademark, which completed in February 2023.
Rebecca Batchelor, Group Manager of Bluestem Group, says “Julian Baseley and the team at Ewbank Products have done a superb job in growing the Ewbank brand across the UK, USA, and China. We want to continue building upon these strong foundations as we enter the next chapter of Ewbank’s long and rich history”
Ongoing investment will include product development across new categories and increased marketing activity as part of Bluestem Group’s continued strategic growth plans.
The Ewbank range will continue to be distributed under licence in the USA and other countries outside of Europe by Julian Baseley and his team via their business based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Julian Baseley commented “I am extremely pleased that the brand has been handed over to Bluestem Group, as having worked with them for the last 4 years I feel this is a perfect fit. I am very pleased that the relationship will continue with my team based in the USA.”
Bluestem Group is already home to the brands Igenix, specialising in SDA, heating, cooling, and air treatment products; and Statesman Kitchen Appliances for MDA which recently expanded into small kitchen appliances. The Ewbank brand, focusing on the home and outdoor cleaning category is an excellent complement to the group’s portfolio of brands.
