A CARPET manufacturer is strengthening its position in the marketplace with the purchase of a weaving company.

Brintons Limited, world leaders in the manufacture of traditionally woven carpets, has acquired the share capital of Woodward Grosvenor Holdings.

The Kidderminster-based firm hopes to extend its leadership in Axminster products through the acquisition.

"Woodward Grosvenor will help the Brintons Group extend its leadership in Axminster products, strengthen its positioning in the market place and also provide access to additional products," said John Pilling, managing director of Brintons Limited.

He said Woodward Grosvenor would be maintained as a separate company within Brintons and the current management team would continue in place.

Michael Brinton, chairman of Brintons Limited and the sixth generation member of the founding family, welcomed the acquisition.

"As a weaving company with a great history and an outstanding design archive, Woodward Grosvenor will be a good fit with Brintons," he said.

Brintons supplies high-quality Axminster and Wilton products to both the residential and commercial markets throughout the world including top hotel chains, the Bulgarian Parliament and the Queen Mary II Cunard Line.