Brouns & Co, the producer of natural linseed paint and stain products, has expanded with a new warehouse in Katwijk, the Netherlands to enable easier purchasing and deliveries to a growing number of customers across Europe.
Michiel Brouns, founder of Brouns & Co, is Dutch and has been based in Yorkshire for the last 20 years, where the firm now makes the linseed paint that is exported all over the world.
“We’ve seen a growing flow of orders from the EU as a renewed understanding of the benefits of linseed paint become more widely appreciated,” said Brouns.
“The origins of the paint can be traced back to Scandinavia and central Europe as early as the seventh century, but the credit for its use is widely given to Flemish painter Jan van Eyck who first used it in oil painting in the 15th century, and its renaissance in Europe means we needed to open a base here to meet the growing demand.”
He explained: “The Netherlands is a great location to trade freely with all of the EU and ensures we can deliver swiftly and efficiently from a central location, which is crucial to ensuring our products have the lowest possible carbon impact.”
Brouns works closely with architects and organisations specialising in the restoration and preservation of many historic buildings and properties across Europe and the UK. Increasingly the firm also supplies paints for low carbon and sustainable new construction projects.
The company has targeted the European market as a key area for growth, driven by a heightened awareness of the negative impact of polymer-based coatings on the environment, and a proactive regulatory drive to encourage sustainable products in many EU countries. Brouns & Co has seen a 150% increase in demand from the EU since it began shipping orders internationally in 2013.
