A global agriculture and horticulture group, based in Kent, has sold a royal warrant-holding manufacturer of stables and livestock equipment.

Camellia, based in Maidstone, has offloaded Loddon Engineering to Molenkoning BV, a Dutch subsidiary of De Swart Group, which designs and manufactures horse walkers and fencing.

No financial details of the transaction were revealed.

Loddon, based in Norfolk, suffered pre-tax losses of £300,000 last year, which is expected to grow to £700,000.

The firm has a royal warrant for the supply and maintenance of equestrian equipment, with customers including the Hyde Park Barracks for the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, Hong Kong Jockey Club and the New York Police Department (NYPD).

Camellia employs 75,000 people globally and has its head office in Linton.

Its agriculture and horticulture division is engaged in the production of tea, edible nuts (macadamias, pistachios and almonds), citrus fruits, avocado, rubber, forestry, viticulture, cattle, other horticultural produce and general farming (maize and soya).

It is one of the largest private tea producers world-wide with a total of 65 tea estates and 60 tea factories.