Leeds-based supplier of surface materials and complementary products, CDUK, has announced a change of ownership that sees Managing Director, Andy Noble, acquiring the business from Gary Baker.
Founded over 40 years ago by Geoff Baker and business partner Toni Hibbert, CDUK has built a strong reputation as the exclusive distributor of Corian® Solid Surface in the UK and Ireland.
Mr Baker, as he was known at work, discovered Corian® Solid Surface on a business trip in 1976 while on the hunt for a product that could be used to create an integrated basin for bathroom vanity units. In Hong Kong, he learned about Corian®, the material manufactured by US materials giant DuPont, which set Geoff firmly on the path to success. Since then, CDUK has become one of the world’s largest purchasers of Corian® Solid Surface and has been a key player in creating the UK and Ireland solid surface market.
Business ownership was passed to Geoff’s son Gary, who joined the CDUK family in 2006. Geoff held the role of chairman until his passing in 2021.
The new owner, Andy Noble, joined CDUK as national sales manager in April 2013 and was appointed Managing Director in 2020. Andy carries over 17 years’ experience working in the surface industry and, working closely with Gary Baker, has contributed to changing the perception of the business from a material supplier to a trusted design partner for architects, designers and fabricators.
Under his direction, CDUK has continued to expand its offering. This has resulted in a series of exclusive partnerships with innovative brands including PaperStone®, The 1810 Company and, more recently, The Good Plastic Company, as well as in a stronger and successful relationship with DuPont as the sole distributor of Corian® Solid Surface in the UK and Ireland.
Gary Baker, outgoing owner and chairman at CDUK, says: “Since CDUK was founded nearly 45 years ago by my father and Toni Hibbert, we’ve prided ourselves on offering great service to our customers as well as being at the centre of the solid surface industry through distributing Corian®.
“I am proud to be handing on the business to Andy with whom I have worked closely now for over 10 years. Over the last couple of years, Andy and his senior management team have taken on more and more responsibility for leading the business.
“It was really important to me to have a succession plan involving people who understand where CDUK has come from and who will maintain the values we have always held dear. At the same time, the company is in a great place to thrive and adapt to new challenges. I look forward to seeing how Andy and his team grow and develop the business in the future.”
CDUK secured a £3 million finance facility from Lloyds Bank plc which was implemented as part of the management buyout.
Andrew Gaunt, business development director at Lloyds Bank, says: “CDUK is a long-standing and valued client of Lloyds Bank plc. As such, we were incredibly pleased to support Andy with the management buyout of the business, as we have no doubts that he will be able to take it to the next stage of its growth journey.
“Over the last couple of months, we have seen growing confidence from Yorkshire businesses with an emphasis on growth and expansion, so we are looking forward to standing alongside CDUK as it enters the next phase of its development.”
Andy Noble, Managing Director at CDUK, says: “I’m incredibly proud and lucky to have been given the unique opportunity to continue the market leading work established by Gary and his father Mr Baker over the last 44 years.
“We work with some excellent supply partners, not least Corian® Solid Surface with whom we have a long-lasting and fruitful partnership, as well as some world class designers, fabricators and manufacturers who turn our surfaces into the outstanding applications and projects.
“Added to that is an enthusiastic, forward-thinking team at CDUK who I thoroughly enjoy working with. Having worked with them for 10 years, taking ownership of the company is a great opportunity and I’m very much looking forward to connecting with new communities and markets with a wider portfolio of surface solutions in the future.
“I’ve been extremely privileged to have spent many years working with Gary and Mr Baker. I thank them for everything that they have taught me and the opportunities they have given me. As we look to the future, we won’t forget our history. I’m certainly very optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead.”
