The National Painting & Decorating Show, held in Coventry, UK from 21 to 22 November 2023, was a vibrant showcase of innovation and expertise in the decorating industry, drawing over 3000 visitors from across the UK and beyond.

The show's popularity was evident from the outset, with the first 1000 visitors eagerly securing decorating goody bags on the first day. The arena buzzed with activity as distributors offered equipment at wholesale prices, and some even added an element of fun with games and prizes.

With over 100 exhibitors spanning various sectors of the decorating trade, the event covered everything:

The two theatres hosting a diverse program of innovation and techniques added an educational dimension to the show.

For me, the highlight was connecting with 11 paintbrush and paint roller makers, a significant find for anyone in the decorating business.

Tony Hiscocks, Director of AJ Systems Europe Ltd, shared the success story of Corona Superior paintbrushes and rollers, emphasizing their uncompromised quality and widespread appeal across the UK and Europe.

Sarah Coussens, Head of Marketing (Trade) for Orkla House Care on the Hamilton stand, provided valuable insights into the evolving paint market. She introduced the latest Perfection CleanEdge™ brushes which perfectly mimic natural bristle in their synthetic filament technology as a notable advancement, showcasing their commitment to meeting modern paint requirements.  These CleanEdge™ brushes can be used for high viscosity, thicker paints, whereas the Hamilton Perfection MaxStroke™ brushes are ideal for low viscosity, thinner paints.

Coral Tools, represented by Hanna Woodworth, Creative Design Manager, unveiled their stylish, Maverick brush range that is smooth to the touch and a comfortable fit in the hand, accompanied by the "Work Smarter not Harder" collection of tools and accessories.

Pioneer Brush, showcased by Peter Samuel, introduced the Pioneer Woodcare Applicator, emphasizing their use of sustainable materials thereby keeping a responsible attitude to the environment.

Mike Dickerson of Ciret highlighted the family of manufacturers under the Ciret umbrella: Rota (paint rollers), Kana (paintbrushes), Masq (masking tapes), Prep (scraping and finishing) and Beeline (knives, scrapers and wallpapering tools), each specializing in a specific aspect of the decorating process.

At Prodec, a decorating wholesaler, I spoke to Gary Bent, who impressed me with Prodec Advance Ice Fusion Brush which is designed to provide an ultra-smooth loading and release of paint, resulting in a sharp cutting line. Its Form Recovery Technology maintains the brush's shape after washing, and its seamless ferrule ensures no paint or wash water collects inside the brush. Crafted with a FSC wood handle the Ice Fusion Paintbrush is the perfect tool for professional painting projects.

The founders of Two Fussy Blokes, Chris Pilipczuk and Peter Spychala, drew crowds with their premium microfibre paint rollers from Auckland, New Zealand. Their focus on quality and efficiency resonated with painters seeking top-notch products that even the fussiest painters, including themselves, would be fully satisfied with - no wonder the long queue!

At the Hardware Lane distributors stand I met Ellis Dunning who introduced me to the Monarch Advance range, highlighting their unfinished hardwood handles, fine synthetic filaments with hand formed soft chisel tip and stainless-steel ferrules for a perfect job. Monarch has been one of the leaders in the industry for over 20 years, delivering innovative paintbrushes for professional painters.

In summary, the National Painting & Decorating Show lived up to its reputation as a must-visit for anyone in the decorating business, offering a comprehensive display of products, innovation, and networking opportunities. The event provided valuable insights into the latest trends and technologies, making it a worthwhile experience for professionals in the field.

The next edition of the National Painting & Decorating Show will take place in Coventry from 19 to 20 November 2024. Visit the show website to learn more.

Click here to view photos from the show.