ONE of Colchester’s longest-serving businesses has been bought out in a landmark deal.
Leading family-owned decorating, glass and building product distributors Kent Blaxill, in Layer Road, Colchester, has been purchased by PaintWell.
PaintWell is one of north west England’s largest independent paint distributor and decorators merchants.
The firm would not disclose how much it paid to acquire Kent Blaxill when approached by the Gazette.
A spokeswoman said: “The new enlarged group will have 46 branches stretching from Cumbria to Kent, with 250 employees and combined revenues of £55 million.”
Kent Blaxill is one of Colchester’s greatest success stories, having opened 23 decorating and builder’s merchants across the east of England and the south east since its inception in 1838.
Its story began in the High Street when John Kent opened an oil and colour shop in the shadow of Colchester Castle.
READ MORE >> Step back in time at one of town’s longest running firms
It soon became Kent and Sons after business boomed and John brought his sons, John and Benjamin, on board.
When he invited son-in-law Edwin Blaxill into a partnership in 1868, Kent and Blaxill was born.
The firm eventually moved out of the town centre after increasing concerns over traffic and parking problems.
Managing director James Park announced the company would be welcoming a new chapter in its history yesterday afternoon.
He said: “This partnership is exciting and I am confident will deliver great things.
“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.”
The major acquisition enables the shareholders from the Kent and Blaxill families to exit the business.
However, they will be reinvesting in the enlarged PaintWell business, remaining as “important and supportive shareholders”.
Kent Blaxill’s management team, including Mr Park, will remain with the business, working with Stuart Slocombe and the PaintWell executive team to integrate the two businesses.
Mr Slocombe said: “Our shared values, vision and commitment to customers make this an obvious partnership and Kent Blaxill, a welcome addition to our company.
“This partnership is exciting and I am confident will deliver great things.”
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