Narva (BWI) Sold For $200M

Our readers use Narva products every day. The name behind Narva is Brown & Watson International (BWI). Another well-known name under the BWI banner is Projecta.

With the acquisition Brown & Watson International (BWI) becomes part of GUD’s Automotive business with the Narva and Projecta brands complementing other leading brands including Ryco filters, Goss fuel pumps and engine management products and Wesfil/Cooper filters.

 Various media reports claim a sale price of around $200 million.

 The purchase of this private Australian company employing around 160 personnel will result in it remaining Australian owned, creating further opportunities for the expansion and development of these major brands throughout Australia and New Zealand and further strengthening the GUD Automotive product offering to its customers.

With the retirement of Brown & Watson’s highly respected industry identity Steve Waterham, GUD Automotive Pty Ltd CEO Bob Pattison will assume the role of Chief Executive of BWI on July 1st.  To ensure continuity for BWI, Tim Miller will continue in his role as General Manager and BWI’s executive team will remain in place ensuring business as usual for the company.

 Distribution of the BWI product range in the New Zealand market will continue under Narva New Zealand Limited under an agreement with Peter Griffiths and the Griffiths Equipment team.

As a major Australian public company GUD Holdings controls a number of leading consumer and industrial brands such as Sunbeam, Oates, Davey Water Products, Dexion and Lock Focus, with each operating as autonomous business units.

Check out the next issue of our trade magazine for further details…