New paint, old tins

Many of you probably realise that we are an old company.

We’ve occupied our shop in Buckhurst Hill for the past 52 years since 1969.

And while we’re really proud of our heritage we don’t just stand still and wait for the world to go round without us.

Mr Johnson was a paint rep for Manders paints before he started the business.

Manders were the Zinsser of their day, problem solving and innovative paints were their bread and butter.

He instilled this ethos into me when I joined the firm in 1987.

I’ve never stopped looking out for new and better ideas to bring to my customers.

I’ve seen the demise of lead paint and the rise of acrylics.

The death of VOC unfriendly paints and the move to replenishable cleaner solvents.

My son, Ryan, discovered Benjamin Moore paints while he was on holiday in America.

He was the first person I ever heard say the name Tikkurila.

And he brought Graphenstone, the Greenest White paint in the world to our business!

I like to think that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

When I moved into our new premises at Harlow, my daughter created the mural you can see here for me from old paint adverts.

Worryingly, I can still remember a lot of them when they were new!

And my old paint can collection which I have in my office has the first paint I ever used in it, (Aquaseal 77) and the first paint I ever tested, (Dulux Weathershield Gloss Moorland)

Our new showroom at Harlow has my collection of old paint adverts and posters on display.

It’s fair to say, I love a bit of paint history.

However, we’ll always look forwards.

Paint spray technology, dustless sanding, and new site lighting are among the things we’ve brought to you over the past few years and the future will certainly be steered by those…

But what about paint drones, self cleaning paints and whatever sci-fi decorating tech is just around the corner?

Well, we’ll keep a keen eye peeled and keep you informed!

Be well!

Pat.

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