Despite the current climate of uncertainty in the European chemical industry, with the threat of REACH and with many other companies relocating facilities to areas with lower labour costs, one new company is bucking the trend. Eurofinishes, a new entity, has been set up in Stockton-on-Tees in the north of England, making it the first leather chemical company to have been established in Europe in a very long time.

But although the company is new, it is far from inexperienced. It has been founded by two well-known and respected names in the industry, Darren Strafford and Frank Bainbridge. Strafford was formerly research and development and production manager at Earnshaw whilst Bainbridge was sales director at the same company.

Eurofinishes offers a wide portfolio of finishing products, except solvents. It has already secured important accounts in the UK and is actively seeking overseas representatives in order to develop its export market.