James Walker Airedale and PPS Vulcan Consumables are to end their two-and-a-half year UK distribution agreement from 31 December.


James Walker Airedale technical sales director Steve Lill said: "We granted PPS the sales rights for our products within a defined territory as our company was experiencing increasing demand from our established customers in the south of England."


James Walker Airedale manufactured and supplied rollers direct to customers from either its headquarters at Shipley in Yorkshire or its Hertfordshire site.


Lill said the decision was influenced by the fact that the company had been increasingly called upon to provide technical advice when customers specified new or replacement presses.


PPS marketing director Murray Lock said: "They first came to us to save money on sales, as we already had the sales infrastructure. But, as time has gone on, PPS Vulcan and Airedale have developed differing business models. When the opportunity arose the companies came to a mutual decision."


Lock said PPS Vulcan Consumables would be making announcements about additional consumables agreements, including rollers, in the new year.


Story by John Davies