The Huddersfield-based motor importer Kenworth Products has been bought by Universal Motors of Portugal to become its UK arm. The purchase price has not been revealed.

Kenworth – which is keeping its name and its seven staff – will become the UK arm of a €10m group with a €1m stock of AC industrial motors. Universal Motors is owned by the Portuguese fan and pump manufacturer Efaflu.

Kenworth was founded in 1992 by Roger Askey and now specialises in standard and bespoke AC motors from suppliers including the Chinese manufacturer Electromotors and the Italian single-phase specialist, EMG.

In 2005, Kenworth bought the former Efacaec UK operation in Suffolk, to cover the south of England.

Askey believes that, with Universal Motors’ support, Kenworth will strengthen its reputation for holding motors not stocked by its rivals, and that its stockholding will be increased in size, and will be extended up to 250kW. New products, such as high-efficiency Eff1 motors, will also be introduced.

Explaining his reasons for selling the business, Askey says: “It was essential that by the time I reached retirement age that the company was ready to go forward to ensure its long-serving staff were secure and that its loyal customers would receive the same products with the same service that they have always enjoyed under my management. I truly believe that this important change will ensure success into the future.”

But Askey is not retiring yet. He has set up a new business in Doncaster called RAM Industrial Controls, which will specialise in motor control gear and control panels. This was an area in which he was active before the motors business took over his life.