Ladder manufacturer Werner has bought access products business Abru from Vaillant.

Ladder manufacturer Werner has bought access products business Abru from Vaillant Group.

The deal, which was for an undisclosed sum, was negotiated by Catalyst Corporate Finance on behalf of Vaillant.

German-based Vaillant acquired Abru in 2000 as part of another deal, and having identified it as a non-core asset, approached Catalyst to seek a buyer for the company.

Derbyshire-based Abru produces access equipment such as ladders and platforms for the UK DIY and home improvement market, with customers including Homebase and Argos.

Private equity backed Werner manufactures and distributes climbing products such as ladders, and has an annual turnover of a $600 million (£406 million). The Pennsylvania-based company sees the acquisition of Abru as a base for growth into the UK and European markets.