Mr Fothergill’s Seeds announce the acquisition of Darlac Ltd, the garden tools and equipment company based in Langley, Slough.

Darlac – also a family business – is a long established and well-respected supplier of quality cutting tools, irrigation and niche garden products.

Peter Darban, former owner of Darlac commented: “My wife, Maggie, and I have decided it’s time to retire after 50 years developing our company. We are delighted to entrust our business into the capable hands of Mr Fothergill’s – they too have the family business ethos and a clear commitment to quality and service. We will still offer consultancy services to the company into the future and look forward to seeing the business develop as it undoubtedly will’

David Carey, joint managing director of Mr Fothergill’s said: “The purchase of Darlac is a significant step for our business. We remain committed to being one of Europe’s largest seed houses and focussed on being the best. However, Darlac offers us wonderful opportunities to expand our portfolio in the gardening sector both in the UK and abroad. We are very impressed with the range and quality that Peter and Maggie have put together and our plan is to make that more widely available”.

He continued: “The business will stay located in Slough as a stand-alone venture. The current staff will remain and we will be adding some of our expertise into the mix as appropriate and needed.”