Paint distributor and decorators merchant’s acquisition creates £55m turnover group

PaintWell, the North West’s largest independent paint distributor and decorators merchant, has swooped for Kent Blaxill Group, creating an enlarged group which 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 arange 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 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.

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 (SE) until he stepped down in 2021.

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.”