UK DIY News

PaintWell Buys Kent Blaxill, Extending Branch Network

PaintWell Limited, the North West’s largest independent paint distributor and decorators merchant, is pleased to announce its acquisition of Kent Blaxill Group Limited. The new enlarged group will have 46 branches stretching from Cumbria to Kent, with 250 employees and combined revenues of £55m.

Established in 1838, Kent Blaxill is an independent family-owned decorating, glass and building products distribution company. Headquartered in Colchester, Essex, it has 23 decorating and builders’ merchants across the East of England and the South East, serving a diverse range of trade and retail customers.

The acquisition enables the shareholders from the Kent and Blaxill families to exit the business. Members of the Kent and Blaxill families are re-investing in the enlarged PaintWell business, remaining important and supportive shareholders, as it continues to build on their legacy. Kent Blaxill’s management team, led by managing director, James Park, will remain with the business, working with Stuart Slocombe and the PaintWell executive team to integrate the two businesses and realise the potential that this partnership brings. In addition, Andrew Cope joins PaintWell’s board as a Non-Executive Director, bringing considerable experience of the building supplies sector. Andrew founded Chandlers Building Supplies and was CEO of Independent Builders Merchants Group (SE) until he stepped down in 2021.

For PaintWell, this move extends its branch network beyond its traditional markets, building its national presence and creating opportunities for its e-commerce business and industrial paints offering. It confirms PaintWell’s position as the UK’s fastest growing independent, omni-channel decorating merchant and aligns with its ambitious growth strategy, which has seen nine1 new additions to PaintWell’s branch network, investment in its e-commerce platform. Following its recent acquisition of specialist paints and surface coatings distributor, Promain, , PaintWell has also established a new industrial paints division.

Stuart Slocombe, PaintWell’s Managing Director, said, “I am delighted to welcome James and everybody at Kent Blaxill to PaintWell. Our shared values, vision and commitment to customers make this an obvious partnership and Kent Blaxill, a welcome addition to our company. PaintWell is at a really interesting point in its development. We have ambitious plans to fulfil but we are fortunate to be able to benefit from strong investor support, exceptional products, first-rate employees and a well-deserved reputation for superior service. We are excited about the next phase of growth.”

James Park, Managing Director of Kent Blaxill, added, “This partnership is exciting and I am confident will deliver great things. I am looking forward to working with Stuart and his team to advance the strategy and future direction of the Group. We are completely aligned in our ambitions for the company and how we achieve them, as well as having a shared approach to product excellence and outstanding customer service.”

In a letter to customers, James Park, the Managing Director of Kent Blaxill said:

Dear Valued Customer,

We would like to share some exciting news with you.

Simon Blaxill and the rest of the Kent and Blaxill families have made the very difficult decision to sell the business. They would like us to thank you on their behalf for your custom and loyalty over the years. It has contributed to the success and growth of our company but more importantly, has also allowed us to support the local communities we operate in, in many different ways.

We are pleased to announce that we have been acquired by PaintWell Limited. PaintWell has a very similar heritage and independent ethos to us and recently rebranded from its legacy brand, Bromborough Paints, a name you may be more familiar with. It has 23 specialist stores across the North West, Yorkshire and the Midlands and an impressive online service, which delivers quality paint and decorating supplies nationally.

We are excited about this partnership and believe the expansion in our branch network and product range will greatly benefit our customers. As there is no overlap in our locations, you will reap the immediate benefit of a larger branch network – 46 branches from the Cumbria to Kent, all providing the consistent service that you know and trust across a wider territory. In addition, our builders merchants in Bury St Edmunds and Colchester will continue to provide the same great service as you have come to expect.

PaintWell is also implementing an ambitious growth and investment plan that we will all benefit from. So far this has resulted in a programme of new branch openings, improvements to others, investment in its online service and following its recent acquisition of specialist paints and surface coatings distributor, Promain, a new industrial paints division.

Kent Blaxill has made this business decision carefully, with our main aim to grow and futureproof our successful business. Members of the Kent and Blaxill families are re-investing in the enlarged PaintWell business, remaining important and supportive shareholders.

Other than the positives, we envisage that very little will change for you and your dealings with us will stay the same. Your contract and current terms of trade will remain unchanged and your local Kent Blaxill team will continue to provide you with the high levels of customer service and product quality you have come to expect. I am joining PaintWell’s senior management team, working to ensure the successful integration of our two businesses and to realise the growth opportunities that this partnership will deliver.

There are exciting times ahead and as our valued customer, we look forward to sharing them with you. We would like to take this opportunity to reassure you that the service and standards, on which Kent Blaxill has always prided itself, will continue and to thank you for your continued business.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss our future plans, please call me or send an email using the contact details below.

Yours sincerely,

James Park
Managing Director
Kent Blaxill