BRUSSELS, Belgium—John-Andrew Ovenstone has been named president of Warwick UK, a new position resulting from the merger of Warwick UK and St. Leger & Viney in South Africa.

Ovenstone came to Warwick from St. Leger & Viney, a South African wholesaler based in Johannesburg which merged with Warwick in August. According to the principals, the merge was a cashless exchange as both companies were strengthened by their convergence. Previously a customer of Warwick's for eight years, St. Leger & Viney has 16 employees while Warwick has 35.

"The merger strengthens Warwick's management," said Cam Warwick, 42-year-old sales and marketing director of Warwick. "Distribution is so competitive that we are able to sharpen our margins with this merger in the South African market. We can share stock in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and take some of the cost out of the products we sell."

Cam, John-Andrew and Gary are all in their 40s which gives the company a young management going forward. Gary Searle will continue as president of the South African firm while Ovenstone has moved to London from Johannesburg. Both Ovenstone and Searle will report to Max Warwick, chairman of Warwick Australia.

Warwick as a company is now 44 years old.