A family-owned business based in Hampshire has built a solid reputation over the last 23 years for providing a full range of high quality sealants and adhesives to the building trade they have now widened out into new ranges of products that are at the forefront of technology. A.B Sealants was started from home in 1988 By Nick Richmond, using every bit of spare space from his garage to his loft! In 1994, the business – offering sealants and adhesives to the double-glazing sector – had grown to such extent that, he moved into his first industrial unit. Then, just twelve years, later he had to expand again with the result that, today, the company occupies two complete units on the Walworth industrial Estate in Andover.
Jamie Richmond says, “This has always been a family business. My older brother Michael joined my father in the business and then I came on board. Today, there are ten employees supplying an ever-increasing range of sealants, fixings and adhesives to the double-glazing industry. As the range has expanded, we have not sought to go head on against the bigger companies but have sought out niche markets.”
One of the new products that Jamie was mentioning is a range of hollow PVC panels from Decos. These are fully waterproof and can be used, for example, as shower wall panels. They are easier and quicker to install than conventional tiling, are easier to keep clean and are not subject to fungal growth as is the case with normal tiling grout. The company has also taken on other ranges from different suppliers.
Jamie adds, “My younger brother emigrated to Australia and has found a great deal of interest there. As a result, he is now on a dedicated training course in order that, in June or July, we can open a new branch in Sydney, offering shower wall panelling, sealants and adhesives. Another niche market that has been very beneficial for us has been in becoming a centre for coloured silicone sealants. We normally have about 30 different colours in stock but we can produce virtually any colour that the customer requires.
We are now the largest seller of this Belgian manufacturer’s products! They can be used around windows, in bathrooms and as sealants and one of our biggest and most important applications to date has been around the green windows at all of the McDonald’s restaurants.”
“Another product is a two-part insulation foam that is sprayed on to roofs in lofts and attics and which can also be injected into cavities. Finally we have a new range of composite decking made half from plastic and half from wood. This Twinson decking is proving to be very successful and is now being specified by architects across the country. We are continuing to widen our product range and now include guttering, down pipes, polycarbonate roof sheets and fascia and bargeboards. A big part of our business is now being done from our various websites and with trade being developed on a global basis we are changing the name of the company to AB Building Products Limited.”
For further information please telephone 01264 359984 or visit
http://www.expandingfoamkit.co.uk or http://www.abproducts.co.uk
