The acquisition extends its branch network across the East and the South East of England.
PaintWell, the North West’s largest independent paint distributor and decorators merchant, has acquired Kent Blaxill Group for an undisclosed sum.
The new enlarged group will have 46 branches stretching from Cumbria to Kent, with 250 employees and combined revenues of £55 million.
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 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. Cope founded Chandlers Building Supplies and was CEO of Independent Builders Merchants Group until he stepped down in 2021.
For PaintWell, the 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 nine 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: “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.”
