CHARLESTON -- Folbot Inc., a manufacturer of folding kayaks and accessories, has been acquired by a business partnership that seeks to grow the company’s market share and expand its current offerings of six models.

The announcement was made recently by Phil Cotton, long-time owner and president, who will now assume a full-time position as chief designer.

“My partners and I bought Folbot in 1983 because I loved the product, and I admired its design. Thanks to our new owners, I can focus my attention fully on our product, and let other, very capable individuals handle the day-to-day business and long-term strategy.”

The Folbot brand was launched nearly 75 years ago in England and has been located in Charleston since 1955.

The new owners, David AvRutick, who will serve as president and CEO, and Tony Mark, who will serve as chairman, have entrepreneurial and corporate experience managing and growing businesses. AvRutick was founding president of the American College of the Building Arts. Mark has been an executive at publicly traded technology firms Avid Technology and Centra Software.