Bartoline Ltd
Bartoline Limited, a privately owned independent family business first established in 1876, is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of a range of decorating sundries for the home improvement industry. Products include pre-packed paint solvents, woodcare treatments, sugar soaps, paint strippers, fillers and wallcovering adhesives.
Originally founded as coal importers/exporters, the company diversified into automotive and industrial lubricant blenders at the turn of the century. The mid 1970’s saw another change of direction into decorating products, where the company sought to capitalise on the burgeoning popularity of home DIY and the proliferation of large multiple DIY retailers.
In May 2003, the company suffered a devastating fire which completely destroyed the whole production facility, offices and warehousing. An extensive recovery programme was implemented resulting in the most modern and safe factory in Europe for packing solvents and associated products. The £5m liquid manufacturing plant was officially opened on 16th October 2006.
The rebuild also enabled investment in highly automated process equipment. Dedicated high volume rotary filling lines ensure costly and time-consuming changeovers are a thing of the past and enable fast moving product ranges to be delivered to customers in full, and within very short lead times.
Investment has continued apace with a new £500,000 filler process system being installed recently. Two new silos, and a computerised dosing arrangement, means accurate formulating down to just a few grams of material.
Products are manufactured and distributed extensively through retail, wholesale and trade outlets throughout the United Kingdom, Europe and an ever-expanding number of countries overseas, including Europe, Middle and Far East, West Africa, South America, Australasia, etc. An ever expanding highly experienced and dedicated export team welcome enquiries from all over the globe and can cater for bespoke formulations where required.
Continual investment is being made in overseas markets with attendance at many high-profile trade fairs. In Europe, Heimtextil and Practical World are regularly attended, as is BIG 5 in Dubai. As more markets are explored, further investment at export exhibitions is being planned, with Mosbuild in Moscow being the most recent.
Bartoline has established a strong brand identity that has become instantly recognisable on retailers’ shelves. This has recently been enhanced further with a complete redesign of the whole range to provide a more modern and streamlined look, providing a powerful and formidable alternative to our competitors.
Customer’s private label requirements also represent a significant part of the company’s business, with most of the UK’s leading multiple DIY retailers being supplied, as well as supermarkets, trade outlets, wholesalers, etc. A service is provided which can include everything from the original design concept to finished product. Toll manufacturing is also a growing speciality with many household blue chip companies in the industry taking advantage of the superior facilities on offer.
The company ensures all raw materials used are the best available and are at the forefront of product and packaging innovation. A continual assessment and improvement programme is in place, developed by our own chemists and technicians. New and alternative ingredients are constantly being sought and tested from all over the globe.
New products are always being developed in-house. Clean Spirit, a new safer alternative to White Spirt and traditional paint solvents, was introduced more recently. Sales have been extremely high, and at the same time contributing to a reduction in VOCs.
The company also strives to meet the exacting standards demanded by the industry. Not only does ISO 9001 certification ensure customers can rely on first class quality and consistency, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 guarantees that safety and the environment are always at the forefront of operations.