Historic Stroud paint manufacturer acquired by expanding Welsh decorating merchant

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A Gloucestershire business that has been manufacturing paint in Stroud for more than 120 years has been acquired by an expanding decorating merchant in Wales.

SG Bailey Paints Ltd, trading as Bailey Paints, has been purchased by Merthyr Tydfil-based home goods firm Rabart Decorators Merchants for an undisclosed sum.

Rabart is a family-run business with 10 trade and commercial sales centres across South Wales and the South West. It’s addition of Bailey Paints to its portfolio follows the opening of its branch in Warminster, Wiltshire in November last year.

Bailey Paints was established in Stroud in 1896 and operates out of Griffin Mill trading estate in the town. The company specialises in paint finishes and associated finishing accessories and makes paint for many engineering firms throughout the South West

As part of the Rabart deal it’s owner Richard Townsend, who has been running the business since 1989 will continue to work alongside the new owners as the group’s production manager.

Commenting on the deal, Mr Townsend said: “I am delighted to sell the business to fellow decorator merchants who truly value the skills and expertise we have built-up over the years.

“The team are excited to become part of The Rabart Group and we are looking forward to growing and developing our already successful business.

“We are confident that all of our customers will benefit from the transaction and we are excited to see what the future holds.”

Rabart owners Alan and Stuart Bush said that when the opportunity to purchase Bailey Paints arose, the company’s “prime location”, expertise in industrial paints, and ability to manufacture paint on- site were “very exciting”.

The pair added: “We are really looking forward to working alongside Richard Townsend and the highly-skilled workforce at Bailey Paints, and we are confident that the group as a whole will benefit from the team’s specialist skills and knowledge”.

The company said that it would prioritise maintaining a “high level” of customer service to decorators, contractors and retail customers in the Stroud area.

It also said it intended to expand its product lines and introduce industrial coatings, as well as work alongside Mr Townsend to develop products of its own.

International law and professional services firm Ince advised Rabart on the purchase while WSP Solicitors acted for Bailey Paints. Accountancy and tax advice was provided by Azets.

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