Meet the CEO
Company founder and industry expert Peter Chapman has a rich background in Art & Design, spanning several decades. In the early years, his studies led him to Germany where he worked at a furniture factory, later returning to the UK as a gifted cabinet maker.
In 1985, Peter took this trade to Greece, where he relocated with wife Gianna and worked as a bespoke cabinet maker until 1994. During his time in Greece, through his day-to-day work as a master craftsman he would encounter the highly reputed Salchi Wood Coatings.
Peter would go on to play a significant leading role in wood coatings by bringing this pioneering brand to the UK. So impressed with the quality of Salchi products, in 1996 he set up UK-based Woodfinishes. Salchi was eventually acquired by BASF who later sold the product range to ICA. Woodfinishes continued importing and distributing the premium quality range of wood coatings under the ICA Group brand.
History
Salchi Wood Coatings becomes ICA
1930sSalchi is established as a joint venture company between Lorilleux (Paris) and Clark Hartog (London) with one production unit in Milan (Italy).
1950sSalchi is the first company to introduce polyester coatings to the furniture industry, alkyd melamine coatings for car bodies and epoxy coatings for heavy duty uses.
1960sLorilleux and Clark Hartog sell Salchi to Glidden Corp (Cleveland – USA) and go on to develop the industrial coatings for metal and wood furniture coatings.
1980sSalchi is the first company to introduce polyester coatings to the furniture industry, alkyd melamine coatings for car bodies and epoxy coatings for heavy duty uses.
1990sIn 1998 Salchi was acquired by BASF.
2000sAs a market leader in producing specialised coatings for wood, during 2004 ICA Group acquired Salchi from BASF and rebranded it as ICA.
About Woodfinishes
1990s Based in Yeovil Woodfinishes become a leading UK supplier of Salchi products and BASF automotive grade polyesters.
2001 Peter’s brother Michael establishes a Midlands depot trading as Technicoat Ltd. Woodfinishes becomes incorporated, with Gianna and Peter as Managing Directors.
2011Collaboration with sub-distributor, Romford-based Car Colour Services.
December 2020Woodfinishes is acquired by Eguchi Iwao, one of the world’s top coatings distributors.
Applications
Metal Coatings
We deliver high-quality coatings for metal and steel with our trusted partner ICA Group. Our collection of metal coatings has been manufactured to the highest standards ensuring a strong resistance for your products.
Stains
We have an extensive range of water-based and solvent-based wood paints and stains. Our special finishes for wood include a selection of the finest wood stains to create a variety of practical and stunning effects.
Fire Retardant Coatings
Our fireproof coatings for wood are manufactured using flame retardant properties to limit the spread of flames in the event of fire.