Manufacturer paints optimistic future with export success

Paint manufacturer Brouns & Co, which specialises in traditional paints based on linseed oil made from West Yorkshire-grown flax, expects to see six figure of US exports in 2022 after a year of growth in the market.

The firm noted it expects to top £100,000 in exports to the United States after the founder and CEO Michiel Brounswork worked with advisers from the Department of International Trade (DIT) and has seen interest in the Yorkshire flax-based products soar.

Brounswork said: “Linseed paint has been used for hundreds of years to protect and coat wood both inside and outside, and the US architectural heritage means there are enormous numbers of timber-build buildings, hence we have been working to raise awareness of the products Stateside.”

As one of only a few manufacturers of linseed paint in Europe, Brouns & Co fulfils its US orders from its Leeds warehouse.

The CEO explained that the business has focused on specific regions in the USA such asNew England and much of the east coast including South Carolina where the maintenance and preservation of historic wooden buildings is a major conservation issue.

H explained that the DIT had helped fund projects to identify the best potential markets for the business and as a result of working with the department the business was “even hosting events with the British Consulate in Boston” in April when they go to meet conservation bodies and heritage professionals in person.

Brounswork added: “The US is our biggest potential market, particularly among owners and custodians of the historic wooden properties typical of the East Coast and other historic areas of America that were settled in the 18th and 19th centuries.

“People are now specifying products that are environmentally sustainable and long lasting, as well as performing very well, and linseed paint is ideal. We had a series of really good meetings when we travelled out to New Orleans, North and South Carolina and we’re returning to New England in April, with the expectation that we will open a US base in 2022.”

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