In this issue of Products & Services Review, we are pleased to announce Protek Products as our Specialist Timber Coatings and Treatments Manufacturer of the Month.
As winners of the Family Business of the Year Award at the 2022 Somerset Business Awards, Protek prides itself on its excellent customer service and has done since the company began in 1981. Started by husband-and-wife team, Eric and Janet Thornborough who recognised in the early 80’s that environmentally friendly products could be used to develop a water-based wood preservative. After some extensive R&D, they came up with a range of water-based paints and timber treatments for the shed and fence manufacturing industry, and Protek Products was born.
“We are very proud of the service we give to our customers. We are always available at the end of a phone to discuss colours, projects, and orders. We manufacturer everything at our Somerset factory, ensuring good lead times, and can be highly responsive to colour trends,” stated Harriet Farquhar B.Sc. Joint Managing Director.
Protek currently provide a large range of water-based paints and timber treatments to a varying customer base including large timber merchants, the garden leisure industry, garden buildings companies, architects, and individuals. Many of Protek’s paints over the years have been used on TV programs such as ITV’s Love your Garden and Channel 4’s Great Garden Plot with Prue Leith. Further to these services, the company still also provides concentrated treatments for the shed and fence manufacturing industry across the country.
In recent developments, Protek has just launched two highly performing products for the construction industry. ESP Panels and ESP Timber, both of which are ideal solutions for those working in or as Timber merchants, DIY stores, garden centres, or completing a garden/upcycling project.
ESP is a collaboration between GTC (Gloucester Timber Company) and Protek. The ESP range is designed to prevent the ingress of moisture into timber products, which has been an age-old problem within the timber industry for many years.
Harriet explained more on ESP Panels, “ESP Panels is an edge sealant for panel products such as plywood. The edges are sealed which stops the ingress of water and the delamination of the panel product. They are independently tested and proven to make plywood stronger and last longer.” These are perfect for external use and high-humidity areas as the product ensures that any holes or air pockets are completely covered. The application can be with a brush, stippling the product into any voids and overlapping the corners of the edge/face by around 5mm.
ESP Timber is a water-based end grain timber preservative and is to be applied to any cut, bored, or drilled pressure treated timber to ensure it maintains its user class. The innovative formulation has been designed for use against wood rotting fungi and, mould and other growths on hard surfaces. In order to maintain the integrity of the protection, it is vital to always apply an end grain preservative treatment to freshly exposed areas.
Protek has been transforming gardens for over 30 years and has remained consistently professional throughout. With some personnel changes in 2017 that saw the retirement of Eric and Janet, their two daughters, Harriet Farquhar and Rebecca Rackstraw have since held the sole responsibility for the running of the business.
Witnessing a huge increase from customers who developed an interest in gardening throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, the demand for paint was unprecedented. Fortunately, for Harriet and Rebecca the trend continued and has helped propel Protek to the forefront of the industry as one of the leading timber coatings and treatments manufacturer.
2023 looks promising for the company as it looks to increase its sustainability profile. “By sourcing and formulating with the best and most sustainable products available, we hope to develop further our environmentally friendly product range,” said Harriet.
As the company increases its range, its customer base will also inevitably grow. Ready to welcome new clients and show them the world of Protek, long may customer reviews such as ‘Your company’s approach to your customers shows the true value of your family run business’ continue.
For more information, please see below:
T 01749 344697
sales@protekwoodstain.co.uk
https://www.protekwoodstain.co.uk