Upmarket stove maker Aga Foodservice, which acquired Ireland's Waterford Stanley a year ago, said its business had grown strongly in Ireland in the first half of the year.
The group yesterday issued a trading update saying that first-half results would be ahead of last year and in line with market expectations. Chief executive William McGrath yesterday said that, outside Britain, Ireland and France were the company's strongest growth markets.
"We have had a very good first half in Ireland," he said. "All consumer brands have done very well and we are very pleased with the way it has gone with Waterford Stanley, but also the momentum behind our other brands."
Mr McGrath said demand had been particularly strong in Ireland for wood-burning stoves.
Aga bought Waterford Stanley in June last year from managing director Michael Laffan and US venture capitalists Pricoa Capital in a deal worth €13.8 million to enhance its position in the Irish market, where it already sold its own Aga and Rangemaster brands.
On Thursday, Mr Laffan, who had stayed on following the takeover as managing director of Ireland, announced he would step down in September.
Mr McGrath said he was very grateful for everything that Mr Laffan had done for the business and he hoped his successors would continue the good work. Owen Power, currently head of sales at Waterford Stanley, will become commercial director and replace Mr Laffan as Aga country manager.
In the statement, Aga attributed much of the improved performance to a rise in demand for its bakery equipment resulting from increased energy awareness.
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