Belling bought by Glen Dimplex

BELLING, the company famed for its legendary Baby Belling tabletop cooker, has been bought by the Irish group Glen Dimplex.

Belling was put into receivership at the end of May after 82 years in business. It now joins a group which includes household brand names such as Dimplex and Morphy Richards.

Terry Goddard, executive chairman of Dimplex UK, said: 'Belling is a great brand name and the company is very much alive and kicking.

'It is up to us to pick up the ball and run with it.'

He said that, while it was too early to make decisions, manufacture of the Baby Belling would probably resume.

Belling also makes a variety of upright electric cookers and Dimplex said it would introduce a number of new products to the range.

The receivers, KPMG Peat Marwick, have already laid off around 1,000 Belling staff including 805 people at the manufacturing site in Enfield, Middlesex.

Paul Jeffery, joint administrative receiver, said yesterday: 'I am hopeful that Dimplex may employ a number of those who were made redundant when production ceased.'

Dimplex intends to rehire 130 former Belling employees with immediate effect to provide after- sales support and servicing. It said further plans for the company would be announced over the next few weeks.

The bulk of the business of Glen Dimplex is based in Britain, where it employs more than 1,000 people and has a turnover of pounds 300m.

The group also has operations in Germany, Ireland, North America and Australia.