A blinds and curtains group in Lisburn has announced it’s joined forces with a business in England.
The Mzuri Group said it was “delighted” to announce an investment in and partnership with Ilumin8 in Leicester.
Illumin8 makes and supplies window blinds and curtains to the trade, and also online retailers.
Mzuri said the deal was a milestone in its growth and would widen its portfolio to include soft furnishings, while opening up a bigger customer base.
And it welcomed illumin8’s expertise in fabrics, digital printing, manufacturing and routes to market.
illumin8 was set up nearly 50 years ago by Harun Heangora and started out selling furnishing fabrics and net curtains to the community.
It later set up its first factory in the UK, then more facilities in UAE and India, growing into a second-generation business with more than 230 people.
John Davison, chairman of the Mzuri Group, said: “Illumin8 is a well-known and highly respected business particularly in the area of soft furnishings, which will complement our existing portfolio and expand our reach into new geographical regions.
“We are pleased to welcome Shakil, Moe and Kumar and their team to the Mzuri Group and look forward to delivering industry-leading products and service together with them.”
Shakil Heangora, Illumin8 Group chief executive, added: “I am delighted to announce our partnership with the Mzuri Group.
“This alliance, supported by a significant investment, will help illumin8 reach a wider customer base both across the group and internationally.
“Our strategically located production facilities both in UAE and India will serve as a platform to expand our joint efforts into the worldwide soft furnishings arena.”
Mzuri Group, formerly known as Decora Blind Systems and founded by the Dickson family, reported turnover of £197m and pre-tax profits of £3.6m in 2023, according to its most recently-published results.