The Melville family-run Tropical Battery is close to securing the product line of Caribrake Limited, a subsidiary of the Gordon "Butch" Stewart-run Gorstew Limited.

Caribrake, a company specialising in motor vehicle lubricants, has operated in Jamaica for over forty-six years. Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, The ATL Group and The Observer newspaper, Butch Stewart acquired the company some 30 years ago. It is now based in Hagley Park Road and is the main distributor of Castrol Lubricants, Rocket Batteries, Armor-all, WB 40, and Gunk.

Caribbean Business Report understands that negotiations are now at an advanced stage. The sale should see a seamless transfer of the business with Stewart now focused on concentrating on his core businesses.

The sons of businessman Danny Melville - Marc and Alexander Melville-run tropical Battery. This likely acquisition is in keeping with an aggressive strategy to grow the business. The brothers are credited with building Tropical Battery into a market leader and taking the adventure tour company Chukka Adventures into the Caribbean. In April of this year, Chukka Caribbean Adventures opened up operations in Turks and Caicos. The company is already in Jamaica, Bahamas and Belize.

Last year, the young entrepreneurs sold their gaming interest company, Prime Sports, to Supreme Ventures.

Last night, executives from both sides remained tight-lipped about the details of the sale, but industry analysts said this would be a win- win situation for both parties.

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