HISTORY

1884 – The Donald Macpherson Group is founded in Manchester by its namesake to manufacture paints varnishes and Chinese lacquers. Donald Macpherson soon leaves but the company survives and grows steadily.

1920s and 1930s – Mr R P Chester joins and rises to position of MD, leading the company into a period of rapid expansion.

1940s – The company moves to Bury to a former POW camp in an old textile factory.

1950s, 60s and 70’s – Through organic growth and numerous acquisitions the group becomes the leading supplier of wood finishes in the UK and eventually the market leader in general industrial finishes and powder coatings.

Early 1980s - The Donald Macpherson Group is the 4th largest coatings company in the UK with significant overseas manufacturing interests and export sales. It employs over 2000 people

1984 - The Group is acquired by Tikkurila, a subsidiary of the Kemira Oy, a major Finnish state owned chemical corporation.

Mid –late 1980’s - Kemira disposes of powder coating businesses and concentrates on decorative and industrial paint manufacturing

1991 – Kemira sells Macpherson Paints, its decorative business, to Akzo Coatings plc

1994 – Akzo merges with Nobel Industries to become Akzo Nobel.

2007 – Akzo Nobel acquires ICI and as a result is required to dispose of a major part of its decorative coatings business as it now controls over 50% of the UK paint market

2008 – A management buyout secures the future of Crown Paints – which includes the Crown, Sandtex, Permoglaze, Sadolin and Macpherson coatings brands.