Chemicals company expands with acquisition of brands from failed firm

A Liverpool-based chemicals company focused on the building, construction and DIY sectors has acquired several brands, for an undisclosed sum, after the collapse of Norcros Adhesives.

Palace Chemicals, which operates from Speke in South Liverpool, has boosted its position in the tiling sector with the acquisition.

Norcros, based in Stoke-on-Trent, collapsed into administration earlier this year, with the loss of 70 jobs.

Palace has taken on a number of Norcros Adhesives’ popular brands, including Rock-Tite, Pro Gyp-Base, Ultim8 and NX.

The firm has also ensured brand continuity and client confidence by appointing key former employees of Norcros Adhesives.

Jon Hall, who clocked up 10 years at Norcros Adhesives, joins Palace as a technical sales manager, Rob Kyle, who spent 19 years at Norcros, has been appointed as key account director, while Bethan Bright has been newly appointed with various sales responsibilities across the Palace product range.

The three new recruits will work with commercial director Steve Ball and sales director Simon Clough to help propel Palace Chemicals towards its next phase of growth, particularly its targeted expansion in the DIY market.

Steve said: “The new team members will no doubt help move the business forward, with their unbeatable combination of experience, contacts and knowledge. The move will provide that added bond with clients of the Norcros Adhesives brands that we’ve acquired.

“The new appointees will be joining an already successful and capable customer-facing team and will collectively help us continue to demonstrate the capability and quality that Palace Chemicals has proven to the market for well over 40 years.”

The former Norcros Adhesives brands now under the Palace umbrella will add weight to the Liverpool firm’s stable of products, which already includes more than 250 items.

Rob Kyle, 58, who has spent 44 years in the tiling industry, said: “I’m always up for a challenge – challenges are what makes the world go round. A challenge at 18 is the same as the challenge at 58 – you’ve got to have something to get your teeth into.”