GLASGOW-based BDL Management has been bought by South Africa-listed real estate giant Redefine Property Group eight months after the death of the hotel management company's former chairman and co-founder, Louis Woodcock.

The purchase, for an undisclosed amount, will see BDL merge with Redefine's hotel management business.

BDL's current chairman, Stuart McCaffer will leave the business after 15 years on its board.

Stewart Campbell, managing director of BDL, will become managing director of Redefine BDL Hotels. He said: "We are excited by the prospect of offering new and enhanced services to hotel owners and partners through our specialist knowledge and depth of resources."

BDL was founded in 1997 and owned by Mr Woodcock, Mr McCaffer and other directors. It had a portfolio of 48 hotels with 5200 rooms under management. There were 2400 staff employed at the hotels, run for brands such as Hilton and Best Western. Another 75 people worked at the management company.

After the merger Redefine BDL will have 60 hotels under management, representing 6700 rooms. It aims to expand its portfolio to 100 hotels by August 2016.

Redefine BDL Hotels chairman, Helder Pereira, described the merger as "an extremely positive transaction for both companies".

Mr McCaffer will still manage his own hotel interests. He said: "The merger is ideal for both companies, and will enable the business to accelerate its growth plans."

BDL Management's latest accounts for the year to October 28, 2012 show that it made a pre-tax profit of £42,000 on turnover of £6.1 million.