Polyvine Ltd, the UK’s Trade Varnish Experts, are celebrating 40 years in business, marking four decades of independent manufacturing, innovation and trusted partnerships across the painting and decorating industry.
Founded in 1986 by Peter and Anne Wells in Cheddar, Somerset, Polyvine began with a clear purpose: to develop high-performance, specialist water-based coatings for discerning professionals. Today, still independently owned and family-run, three generations of the Wells family continue to work on site — a rare distinction in modern manufacturing.
From its beginnings as a specialist varnish manufacturer to its position today as a globally distributed brand, Polyvine has remained rooted in its founding principles: quality, integrity, longevity and service.
For 40 years, all Polyvine products have been researched, developed and manufactured at its Somerset headquarters. With an on-site laboratory and dedicated R&D team, innovation has always sat at the heart of the business.
Peter Wells, Founder and Technical Director, still works in the laboratory today alongside his grandson, while Managing Director Ian Wells oversees the continued growth and evolution of the company. The 40th anniversary follows an important milestone in the company’s history: a comprehensive 17-month rebrand completed in Spring 2025.
The refreshed identity strengthened Polyvine’s position as “Trade Varnish Experts”, introducing bold, trade-focused labels, a refined corporate logo and a distinct Decorative Effects identity. Adding to the celebrations, Polyvine has recently been named a finalist in two categories at the Somerset Business Awards ... Family Business of the Year and Manufacturing Business of the Year ... recognising both its heritage and its ongoing contribution to UK manufacturing.
Reflecting on the milestone, Managing Director Ian Wells said: “Reaching 40 years as an independent, family-run manufacturer is something we are immensely proud of. From our earliest customers to our newest global partners, every relationship has helped build Polyvine into the business it is today.
"Our recent rebrand signals the next chapter. confident, focused and future-facing, but still firmly rooted in the values we were founded on in 1986. We are incredibly grateful to our stockists, distributors, suppliers, employees past and present, and the professional tradespeople who trust our products every day. This anniversary belongs to all of them.”
As Polyvine enters its fifth decade, the focus remains clear:
- Continued innovation in specialist water-based coatings
- Investment in UK manufacturing and sustainability
- Supporting trade professionals with high-end, long-lasting finishes
- Strengthening partnerships across the UK and internationally
Forty years on, Polyvine remains proud to manufacture in Britain, proud to be family-run, and proud to support the professionals who demand the very best from their finishes. With a successful rebrand behind it and award recognition affirming its progress, Polyvine looks forward to the next chapter with confidence and gratitude.
