Stuart Wilkinson, chief operating officer of newly merged companies, A. Ronai LLC and Direct Hotel Supplies. Stuart Wilkinson, chief operating officer of newly merged companies, A. Ronai LLC and Direct Hotel Supplies.

Middle East hospitality suppliers A. Ronai LLC and Direct Hotel Supplies (DHS) will be merging to create a focused organisation for hospitality equipment and uniforms in the region, according to a joint statement by both companies.

Ronai, a suppliers for operating equipment and uniforms, will merge with DHS whose speciality is focused on in-room supplies and a "cash and carry" showroom for chinaware.  The merger is expected to generate synergy across all product lines and broaden the brand profile.  Along with the merger, the two companies have appointed Stuart Wilkinson as chief operating officer. Wilkinson will assume the COO position of both Ronai and DHS, having recently left his position as VP of sales at Steelite International   

 “A. Ronai LLC are delighted to be joining forces with DHS, we are confident that together we can provide an enhanced solution to the HORECA market.  It is our hope that with this merger we become the choice supplier to the hospitality industry in the Middle East,” said A. Ronai LLC owner and managing director Gavin Dodd.

Direct Hotel Supplies owner and managing director Manesh Balani said: “I am excited by the opportunities that are being created by our teams operating jointly. Our plans for an increased product portfolio and new sales channels will bring greater convenience to our customers."

Established in the UK in 1947 with expansion in the UAE from 2006, A. Ronai LLC is the Middle East distributor of hospitality brands such as  Steelite International, Oneida, F. Dick Chef’s Knives, Genware, Bonzer, Glass & Co and other products. The company also has its own garment brand, created by an in-house designer and manufactured in the UAE, with fabric sourced from worldwide uniform fabric suppliers. The “Uniforms by Ronai” catalogue features a host of garments suitable for varied job functions, with available stock, and currently counts dnata, Arabian Adventures, Sheraton Hotels, Jumeirah Group and other hospitality outlets as clients.

Direct Hotel Supplies was established in Dubai in 2002, offering a one-stop solution for hospitality operating supplies and catering to the HORECA industry.  With local stock available, DHS has the ability to provide on-demand products and door to door deliveries, promising cost efficiency and a fast turnaround on urgent requirements

The new company will continue to operate both brands in the initial stages. Ronai will concentrate on direct sales, with DHS focusing on the retail side, offering fixed pricing together with services including stock holding and an experienced sales force.

Story continues below
Advertisement