The Glen Dimplex Group has acquired the long established Valor gas fire business from BDR Thermea. Established in 1890 and based in Birmingham, Valor says it is the leading manufacturer and supplier of gas fires in the UK.
Its product range also includes gas heaters and electric fires.

Following the Group's acquisition of the Robinson Willey gas fire business in 2010, the acquisition of Valor will, says Glen Dimplex, make it the leader in the UK gas fire market.

Glen Dimplex is claimed to be the world's largest manufacturer of electric fires and has a strategic objective to build a similar position in the gas fire sector. The Group's other gas fire businesses include Faber, Robinson Willey and ESCEA in Australia and New Zealand.

The group is also investing at one of its two research and development facilities in Dunleer, Co Louth. The next generation of gas fires will be developed at this facility.

The second Research and Development facility in Dunleer is the Group's latest Renewable Energy Centre and was completed in the first half of 2011.