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History |
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One of the most readily recognised trade names in the world is Dulux.
Today the Dulux brand of paints is manufactured by AkzoNobel, which
acquired ICI in January 2008. |
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Based in Amsterdam, and tracing its corporate history back to 1777,AkzoNobel makes and supplies a wide range of paints, coatings and
speciality chemicals such as the internationally noted Sikkens brand. |
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It was in 1919, at the end of the First World War, and long before the
days of DIY, non-drip paints and the Dulux Dog, a long-established
varnish maker set up a factory in Slough, UK on a 30-acre former
brickfield which had previously been used for the American Corps of
Engineers’ stores. |
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Dulux paint was first sold to the building trade in 1932 and was met
with some suspicion because it was so obviously different from the
lead based paints which decorators were accustomed. It was thinner,
went further, and dried more quickly. It was also much more durable,
but although this last fact was known in theory, decorators being
practical people, were reluctant to believe it. Fortunately, architects
and specifiers were more disposed to place their faith in theory, so
the decorators whom they contracted were compelled to use the new
product, and Dulux was able to begin proving itself. By 1939 it was
being stocked by a small but growing number of merchants. |
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