KENT, England - Blagden Specialty Chemicals, a leading supplier of chemicals and additives to manufacturers in the UK and Ireland, has launched a fourth sector within its industrial division group.

Focused on graphic arts, the new sector is headed by Phil Randall, former Manager of Blagden Coatings. Michael Austin has joined Blagden to manage the company’s coatings business.

“Our industrial business has grown considerably over recent years,” explained Blagden CEO Graham Turton. “The addition of the Eckart pigment range to our portfolio in 2016, alongside the specialist additives we supply, makes us the ideal one-stop-shop for the digital and printing inks markets. The new sector aligns with our key supply partners’ end markets and ensures we provide the best possible service to our customers.”

Randall, formerly running the Coatings sector and now Business Line Manager for the Graphic Arts sector, commented, “This is an exciting opportunity to substantially develop our business in these markets. Blagden is an established supplier for inkjet and printing inks manufacturers, and the new dedicated sector allows us to direct resources to develop the products and service we offer.”

Austin has joined Blagden as Business Line Manager for the Coatings sector. Austin is a chemist with considerable experience in the coatings and paints industry. He worked for Blagden previously, promoting and selling BYK Additives, and was most recently employed by Perstorp, where he handled a wide range of specialty polyols for coatings, resins and other applications. He has also worked in large multinationals including BP Chemicals and Koch Industries.