NEWS

9th March 2026

Celebrating 80 Years of Technical Paint Services.

In 2026, Technical Paint Services proudly marks 80 years of continuous trading as a family-owned business. From modest beginnings to a respected specialist coatings manufacturer, our longevity is founded on a simple but enduring principle: sound technical knowledge, fast turnaround and genuine customer service.

For eight decades, technical expertise, speed of development, and reliable supply have been the backbone of our business. We have always believed that knowledgeable people, honest advice, and personal service truly matter. We do not push products simply to make a sale. Instead, our priority is ensuring the end user receives the correct coating for the application - even if that means directing them to an alternative supplier when we do not manufacture a suitable solution.

Paint may be one of mankind’s oldest products, but its purpose remains timeless: protection, decoration, identification, and performance in demanding environments. While materials, regulations and tastes have evolved, our core values - technical performance, innovation, and improving environmental credentials - have remained constant throughout our history.

Founded on Technical Excellence: 1946
Technical Paint Services was founded in 1946 by James T. Peacop AMCT FRIC, following a distinguished career as a paint chemist and Head Chemist for a leading paint manufacturer. During his time as a senior MOD Test Chemist, James formulated specialist camouflage and aircraft coatings and later achieved Fellowship of the Royal Institute of Chemistry for his work inventing modern paint strippers.

The business began as a sole trader operation, manufacturing products in a garden shed - where James developed, tested, produced, packed and sold coatings directly to customers. As demand grew, the firm relocated to a small industrial unit nearby.

Post-War Growth and Innovation: Late 1940s-1960s
By 1949, the company had expanded significantly in size and reputation. With post-war construction booming - including the development of the UK motorway network - a large former farm and dairy complex was acquired on the Uxbridge Trading Estate.

During this period, Technical Paint Services pioneered a protective paint system for wooden shuttering moulds, transforming concrete casting by enabling multiple reuses of moulds that were previously discarded after a single pour. For over a decade, this innovation became the company’s best-selling system.

Alongside this, the business supplied a wide range of decorative, industrial and vehicle paints, including varnishes and period-typical lead-based coatings. In 1968, James’s son Robert Peacop joined the business, working alongside his three sisters in what was very much a family enterprise.

A Family Business Endures: 1970s–1980s
Tragically, James Peacop passed away suddenly in 1973 while on holiday in the United States. The business was taken over by his wife Edith Peacop, supported by her family and Bruce Allen, a chemist who had married James and Edith’s eldest daughter, Diana.

In 1975, Technical Paint Services became a Limited Company, with Robert Peacop as Managing Director and Diana and Edith as Co-Directors. This period saw major improvements to trade counter facilities, production efficiency and order fulfilment processes.

In 1981, the company relocated to a modern industrial unit in Horton Bridge Road, West Drayton. As the family gradually stepped back from day-to-day involvement, the company expanded its technical capabilities and became an early adopter of reliable water-based, solvent-free coatings. Demand continued to grow, with staffing increasing to around 30 employees.

Repositioning for a Changing Market: 1990s
In 1994, Robert Peacop was seriously injured in a near-fatal car accident, resulting in a six-month absence from the business. While this temporarily stalled progress, his return marked a renewed period of ambition and strategic change.

Facing increasing competition from large retail “sheds” offering low-cost, mass-produced paints, Technical Paint Services deliberately repositioned itself. The focus shifted to high-performance, niche, specification-led products, supported by bespoke colour matching, special manufacture, fast turnaround and next-day despatch - a strategy that continues to define the business today.

A New Home and a Greener Focus: 2000s
In 2001, the company relocated from West London to Bournemouth, Dorset, securing larger and more cost-effective premises and access to a skilled local workforce.

By this time, the heart of the business had become performance-driven, specification-based coatings, with more than 80% of sales consisting of virtually VOC-free, water-based finishes, reflecting both regulatory changes and our commitment to environmental responsibility.

Specialist Markets and Digital Expansion: 2010s
In 2013, Technical Paint Services launched a dedicated specialist website focused on swimming pool paints and coatings. Drawing on decades of experience, the range supports commercial leisure centres, schools, local authorities, residential pools and specialist installations.

Our coatings have been used in children’s paddling pools, health spas, Olympic venues, lidos, hydrotherapy pools and even aquaria in zoos and wildlife parks - a testament to both performance and durability.

Resilience in Challenging Times: 2020s
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Technical Paint Services continued to trade, manufacture and supply coatings despite unprecedented challenges - demonstrating resilience, adaptability and commitment to customers.

In 2021, we proudly celebrated 75 years in business. Today, we go further - marking 80 years of Technical Paint Services, and looking ahead with the same technical focus and customer-first approach that has defined us since 1946.

Conclusion
As we reflect on our 80-year journey, the last five years have marked one of the most significant shifts in our manufacturing history: a decisive move away from traditional solvent-based paints and coatings towards advanced water-based technologies. This transition has been driven not only by evolving legislation and environmental expectations, but also by the practical advantages these products now offer. Modern water-based systems are generally easier to use, emit far fewer VOCs and produce noticeably less odour - making them particularly well suited to high-traffic environments, sensitive internal areas and projects where downtime must be kept to a minimum. Our continued investment in these formulations reflects both customer demand and our long-standing commitment to technical performance, responsible manufacturing and sustainable innovation.

As we look ahead, this shift will remain central to how we support specifiers, contractors and end users with coatings that meet the challenges of today while anticipating the needs of tomorrow.

From a garden shed to a specialist coatings manufacturer trusted across multiple sectors, our story is one of innovation, integrity and independence. We thank our specifiers, customers, staff and suppliers - past and present - for being part of this journey.

L to R, Alex Rossi - Production & Colour Matching, Robert Peacop - Technical & Managing Director, Chris Broomfield - Sales & Technical Manager.