German stone machinery makers Kolb, who have been represented in the UK by Combined Masonry Supplies, based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, are being bought by another German company after talks with a major German industrial group fell through.

Martin Kolb and Kolb Managing Director Thomas Spitz have left the oild company and are planning to start a new enterprise of their own. Richard Chandler, Managing Director of Combined Masonry Supplies, says he will continue to support Martin Kolb in the new company. It is anticipated that spares for machines sold in the UK will continue to be supplied by the new company and new machines will be produced by it in due course. These arrangements have yet to be finalised and more news is expected in the coming weeks.