Industry News

Leading paints and coatings business – and home of Dulux – AkzoNobel is signalling its intent to continue pioneering innovation in the UK with the news that it is redeveloping its Slough head office to accommodate new research and development facilities.  Work has begun on the construction of state-of-the-art research and development facilities and laboratory space. The development includes the major refurbishment of an entire wing of the three-story AkzoNobel Building on Wexham Road in Slough and construction of two new research and development buildings – a warehouse and a central utilities building. Fiona McLachlan, Technical Director Colour, AkzoNobel, says: “The development opens up a world of possibilities – bringing together our UKI Decorative Paints business and our Slough-based research and development community – to focus on the delivery of pioneering products and innovations and help us set the standard in colour and protection.”

The home of a Solihull dad-of-four left paralysed after a fall at home is set to be transformed thanks to a national construction charity.  Rob Lamb, 58, suffered a severe spinal cord injury when he fainted due to low blood pressure at home in October, leaving him paralysed from the chest down.  The quantity surveyor has been recovering at a rehabilitation centre in Oswestry but his home in Solihull needs specialist adaptations so he can live there safely.

A leading decorating and DIY specialist is preparing to open a new store in Acton, bringing new job opportunities to the area. Leyland SDM will cut the ribbon on its 25th store on March 15. It can be found just off The Vale in Units 5-7 on Cowley Road, W3 7XA. The business is continuing with ambitious expansion plans despite the challenges of the pandemic. Jonathan Jennings, Chief Executive of Leyland SDM, said: “We’re delighted to be opening this new store in Acton, which will be great news for both trade professionals and people carrying out DIY jobs in their homes.

Crown Paints played its part in the addition of four murals across Hull in 2020 by donating paint to local artist Andy Pea. The company, which manufactures some of its most popular products at its facility in Hull, has previously donated paint to numerous deserving local community causes through its Crown Decorating Centre located on Stoneferry Road. Crown was keen to work with Hull-based street artist Andy Pea having already worked with him several times since the company supported the Hull City of Culture campaign in 2017, and so donated Sandtex Trade products in various colours in order to complete the four murals located across the city last year.

Being a woman in the predominately male orientated trade industry can seem like a daunting and often intimidating experience but four women from Derbyshire are challenging these gender-norms and bringing a fresh new look and approach to what it means to work within the trades locally. Sue Ready, founder of This Girl Can Paint in Chesterfield told us that she “had this idea to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th March by showcasing the fabulous work women and girls do in the trade industry as there can still be many misconceptions that only men and boys can pick up a hammer, screwdriver or paint brush.” Sue started her career 20 years ago working behind the trade counter of a local builder’s merchant. She said “back then it was rare for women to be in the industry but quickly learnt how to communicate and interact with the customers. I picked up so much knowledge working there and was given the opportunity by my employer to attend a professional decorators course which ignited my fire for painting and decorating.”