Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
PaintWell Limited, the North West’s largest independent paint distributor and decorators merchant, has bought Kent Blaxill Group Limited (Kent Blaxill), the independent decorating, glass and builders merchant, based in Colchester.
The acquisition of the 184 year old merchant means the enlarged group will have 46 branches stretching from Cumbria to Kent, with 250 employees and combined revenues of £55m.
The acquisition enables the shareholders from the Kent and Blaxill families to exit the business, with some re-investing in the enlarged PaintWell business as 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.
Slocombe 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.”
Park 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.”
