What Tilemaster Adhesives does

Tilemaster Adhesives, now legally Kerakoll UK Ltd as of 1 June 2024, is a UK-based manufacturer of professional tile adhesives, grouts, self-levelling compounds, and surface preparation products, founded in 1990 by Paul Kelly in Chorley, Lancashire, and relocated to its current Leyland headquarters in 2011. The company was acquired in 2017 by Italian construction materials multinational Kerakoll Group — founded in 1968 in Sassuolo, Italy — which committed approximately £30 million over four years to expand the Leyland production plant, identify an additional UK production site, and build a new R&D centre. The Leyland facility produces approximately 2.5 million bags of product per year across the full tiling and flooring preparation workflow: polymer-modified cement-based adhesives (the Setaflex range with EN 12004 C2 certification and S1/S2 flexibility classifications), self-levelling and smoothing compounds (Levelflex, Proflow, Rapid Level 30, Super Flow 30 with foot-traffic times as short as 30 minutes), grouts (Grout 3000 in 18 colours), primers and damp-proof membranes (notably FAST One Coat DPM curing in 4-5 hours on substrates up to 98% RH), silicone sealants (Silicone 3000+ in 14 colour-matched shades), and ancillary construction products including anti-fracture matting, boards, shower enclosures, and spa structures. Post-2024 reformulation under the Kerakoll GreenBuilding rating system has migrated multiple ranges to GEV Emicode EC1 Plus low-VOC specifications.

The company operates a strictly distributor-led B2B go-to-market, selling exclusively through a network of seven named UK independent flooring distributors — DMS Flooring, Kent Flooring, Lee Floorstok, McMillan Flooring, Nutlands Accessories, Pennine Flooring Supplies, and Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd — supplemented by tile stockists and merchants, with a UK-wide distribution centre in Chorley. Field coverage is delivered by regional Area Sales Managers across England, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland (where Lenny Morrow jointly represents Tilemaster and Kerakoll), backed by an in-house technical team staffed with former tilers and flooring contractors, dedicated Development Chemists, Quality Control Technicians, and a Technical Support Manager. Trade exhibitions (The Flooring Show, The Tiling Show, STS and DHS trade evenings), TTA Awards sponsorship, free training days at Leyland and the Kerakoll Campus in Bromsgrove, and showcase project PR (London Zoo, Blakes Hotel, Thruxton Race Track, Manchester Grammar School) form the marketing core.

Pricing is unit-based on pack sizes (typically 15-20 kg bags for adhesives and levellers) with pay-as-you-go billing through the distributor channel and no publicly disclosed price list. End customers are professional tilers, flooring contractors, and specifiers in commercial, hospitality, public-sector, and high-end residential projects (including projects such as the £3 million Masjid e Salaam Mosque redevelopment and the Le Petit Chateau 1,400 m² flagstone installation), with the Kelly family — founder Paul Kelly, Rhona Kelly, and Managing Director Mark Kelly — retaining operational leadership under Kerakoll Group ownership.

Name

Tilemaster Adhesives

Legal name

Tilemaster Adhesives Limited

Website

https://tilemasteradhesives.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Tilemaster Adhesives (now Kerakoll UK Ltd) is a UK manufacturer of professional tile adhesives, grouts, self-levelling compounds, and surface preparation products, selling exclusively through independent distributors to tilers and flooring contractors across the UK and Ireland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Chemicals (Tile Adhesives, Grouts, and Floor Levelling Compounds)

NAICS

Adhesive Manufacturing (32552)

SIC

Adhesives & Sealants (2891)

akta.pro primary industry

Tile Setting Materials (Mortars, Mastics & Grouts) (IMADAOAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Flooring Installation Materials & Accessories (Adhesives, Grouts, Trims, Transitions) (IMADAJAL), Flooring Adhesives & Underlayments (IMADAOAE)

Keywords

• Tile adhesives
• Floor levelling compounds
• Construction grouts
• Surface preparation products
• Silicone sealants

Headquarters

HQ city

Leyland

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tile Adhesives Sales: Manufacture and sale of cement-based tile adhesives for ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiling applications. Products include flexible, rapid-setting, semi-rapid, and standard-setting formulations in grey and white colours. Sold in 20kg pack sizes through distributor network.
2. Floor Levelling & Smoothing Compounds: Sale of self-levelling compounds, smoothing compounds, and floor screeds for subfloor preparation. Includes rapid-setting, ultra-rapid setting, moisture-tolerant, and fibre-reinforced formulations.
3. Grouts, Primers & Preparation Products: Sale of grouts (Grout 3000 range in 18 colours), primers (Prime Plus, Prime + Grip, Flexmaster), damp proof membranes (FAST One Coat DPM), tanking systems, and silicone sealants.
4. Specialist Construction Products: Sale of uncoupling/decoupling mats, construction boards, shower enclosures, shower trays, spa elements and spa structures for the ceramic and flooring sectors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Tilemaster Adhesives manufactures and supplies a comprehensive range of professional tile adhesives, grouts, floor levelling and smoothing compounds, surface preparation products, silicone sealants, and construction products for the ceramic and flooring sectors. Products are formulated in the UK at the Leyland production facility, covering the entire tiling and flooring preparation workflow from primers and damp proof membranes through to grouts and silicones. The range is sold exclusively through a UK and Ireland network of independent flooring distributors and tile stockists, serving professional tilers, flooring contractors, and commercial specifiers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tilemaster Adhesives Range (Tile Adhesives) Cement-based polymer-modified tile adhesives covering standard, semi-rapid, and rapid-setting formulations in flexible (S1/S2) variants, designed for ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone wall and floor tiling on varied substrates including timber overlay, underfloor heating, and wet areas. For professional tilers and tile contractors.
• Grout 3000 Flagship highly efflorescence-free, fast-setting flexible wall and floor grout with mould and water resistance, available in 18 colour shades including a 'greige' palette for wood-effect tiles, suitable for joints from 1mm to 20mm. For professional tilers and tile contractors.
• Floor Levelling and Smoothing Compounds Range Self-levelling compounds, smoothing compounds, and floor screeds for subfloor preparation, including rapid-setting, ultra-rapid setting, moisture-tolerant, fibre-reinforced, and external-use formulations. Conforms to BS EN 13813 standards. For flooring contractors and subfloor preparers.
• Super Flow 30 Ultra-rapid setting two-part self-levelling floor compound; walkable in 30 minutes, decorative floor coverings after 90 minutes, ceramics within 45-60 minutes. Moisture tolerant, suitable for all substrates including timber and underfloor heating, protein-free. For flooring contractors needing fast-track subfloor preparation.
• FAST One Coat DPM Solvent-free, epoxy-based two-component damp proof membrane; single-coat application curing in 4-5 hours, effective on surfaces up to 98% relative humidity. Reduces product quantity and carbon footprint versus multi-coat systems. For flooring contractors requiring moisture management prior to floor covering installation.
• Preparation Products Range (Primers, Tanking, Hygrometer) Primers (Prime Plus, Prime + Grip, Flexmaster), Tanking Kit and Tanking Paste (fast-drying single-coat waterproofing for wet areas, ready to tile after 3 hours), and Digital Hygrometer for moisture testing, supporting subfloor preparation and wet-area waterproofing workflows. For professional tilers, flooring contractors, and installers.
• Silicone 3000+ Premium neutral-cure mould-resistant silicone sealant, anti-mould formula suitable for acid-sensitive stone, porcelain, and ceramics, available in 14 colour-matched shades complementing the Grout 3000 range. Solvent-free, non-staining, suitable for internal and external use. Conforms to BS EN 15651-3 Class XS 1. For professional tilers finishing ceramic and natural stone installations.
• Anti-Fracture / Uncoupling Mat
• Construction Products Range (Boards, Shower Enclosures, Shower Trays, Spa Elements, Spa Structures) Range of construction products including boards, shower enclosures, shower trays, spa elements, and spa structures, complementing the tile adhesive and flooring preparation product lines for the ceramic and flooring sectors. For tile contractors, bathroom installers, and spa/leisure projects.
• Kerakoll Proflow Range (Phase 1 and Phase 2) Kerakoll-branded successor range to Tilemaster's smoothing compounds, with EC1-Plus GEV Emicode low-VOC certification and GreenBuilding rating, replacing Tilemaster products under the parent company's brand. For flooring contractors requiring environmentally certified smoothing compounds with rapid-set properties.
• Kerakoll Levelflex Range (Gel, External, Rapid, Fibre) Kerakoll-branded redeveloped self-levelling compound range with four products covering gel technology, external use with frost protection, ultra-rapid setting, and fibre-reinforced applications. All products carry GreenBuilding rating and GEV Emicode EC1 Plus. For flooring contractors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Walk-on and grout time of 3 hours for Rapid Setaflex
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Kerakoll GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Kerakoll Group, a multinational construction materials company founded in 1968 in Sassuolo, Italy (the heart of the world's most important ceramic district), acquired 100% of Tilemaster Adhesives in 2017. The two brands continue to operate separately. The Kelly family, including founder Paul Kelly and Managing Director Mark Kelly, remain at the helm. Kerakoll announced plans to invest £30 million over four years to expand the Leyland production plant, identify an additional UK production site, construct a new R&D centre, and extend product ranges. Kerakoll is a Benefit Corporation and B Corp certified (2023), with 45% of Group revenues generated internationally.
• Kerakoll UK LtdflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFollowing brand alignment, Tilemaster Adhesives Ltd changed its company name to Kerakoll UK Ltd on 1 June 2024. The change signifies a new era of quality, innovation, and sustainability under the Kerakoll banner, while maintaining the same registered address, company number, bank details (except account holder name), and telephone number. Contact email addresses changed to @kerakoll.co.uk domain.
• DMS FlooringcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDMS Flooring is one of seven UK distributors participating in Tilemaster's pre-Christmas promotional campaigns, including a bike draw where customers purchasing 50 products were entered to win GT hybrid Transeo bikes.
• Kent FlooringcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKent Flooring participated in Tilemaster's pre-Christmas promotional campaigns as one of seven UK distributors, including promotional bike draw competitions for trade customers.
• Lee FloorstokcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLee Floorstok is one of seven UK distributors participating in Tilemaster's promotional campaigns, including pre-Christmas promotional draws.
• McMillan FlooringcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMcMillan Flooring is one of seven UK distributors in Tilemaster's promotional programme, including the pre-Christmas bike draw promotion.
• Nutlands AccessoriescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNutlands Accessories participated as one of seven UK distributors in Tilemaster's promotional campaigns including the pre-Christmas bike draw.
• Pennine Flooring SuppliescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPennine Flooring Supplies participated as one of seven UK distributors in Tilemaster's pre-Christmas promotional campaigns including promotional bike draw competitions.
• Provincial Floorcoverings Ltd (PFL)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvincial Floorcoverings Ltd (PFL) participated as one of seven UK distributors in Tilemaster's pre-Christmas promotional campaigns including the bike draw promotion.
• STS (Trade Event Organiser)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSTS organised the 50th Anniversary Trade Evening and Exhibition in Watford (October 2015), where Tilemaster exhibited and officially launched Pro Flow and Trade Flow smoothing compounds alongside adhesives, grouts, and screeds from its growing product range.
• DHS (Domestic Heating Services Wholesale Ltd)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDHS is a long-standing distributor of Tilemaster products, notably supplying materials for the 'Swim Alderney' community project at Alderney Community Sports Centre. DHS also hosts an Annual Trade Exhibition in Guernsey where Tilemaster exhibits.
• Alder Hey Children's CharityminorOthersTilemaster's Stuart Forkin completed the Liverpool Half Marathon raising funds for Alder Hey Children's Charity, a cause close to his heart as both his children needed operations at the hospital at a young age.
• Tile Superstores RingwoodcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTile Superstores Ringwood specified five Tilemaster products for the Thruxton Race Track hospitality building installation (1000m² wall and floor porcelain tile installation).
• Roccia (formerly Tile Mart)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRoccia is a key distributor partner for Tilemaster, having co-nominated the stunning Accrington Mosque and Community Centre and the Willow Gate luxury development for TTA Awards. Zabir Patel, founder of Tile Mart (now Roccia), was heavily involved in the Preston Mosque design.
• Penrith Tile CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPenrith Tile Centre is a key distribution and installation partner for Tilemaster, completing multiple projects including Carleton Manor Park luxury apartments and The Fitz Hotel, both nominated for TTA Awards. John Williams from Penrith Tile Centre provides project management and design services.
• Tiled SpaceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTiled Space uses patented technology to print custom designs onto fully vitrified weather-resistant ceramic tiles. They have partnered with Tilemaster on multiple high-profile public art installations including the Cannock Council underpass transformation (200m² art gallery) and ZSL London Zoo's Land of the Lions (1024 tiles over 23.5m²).
• Kerakoll Campus (Training Facility, Bromsgrove)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKerakoll offers free of charge training on flooring installation at the Kerakoll Campus in Bromsgrove, covering subfloor preparation including moisture testing, primers, repairing imperfections, selecting and applying smoothing compounds, and the use of adhesives. Mixture of hands-on and technical training.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Kerakoll Group: Italian parent company of Tilemaster Adhesives; manufactures and sells tile adhesives, grouts, finishes and construction chemicals globally, overlapping with Tilemaster's UK product portfolio.
• Ardex UK: UK subsidiary of Ardex Group, manufacturing tiling and flooring preparation systems including waterproofing, levelling and adhesives; overlaps materially with Tilemaster's full-system positioning.
• Saint-Gobain Weber: UK arm of Saint-Gobain's Weber tile fixing systems, offering a comprehensive tile adhesive, grout and façade portfolio; competes with Tilemaster in commercial and residential tiling.
• Sika UK: Global construction chemicals group with UK presence in flooring, sealing and bonding including tile adhesive-adjacent product ranges; competes for large commercial and infrastructure specifications.
• Bostik UK: UK operations of Arkema's Bostik adhesives business, supplying tile adhesives, sealants and construction adhesives through distributors and merchants; competes in the same professional tiling channel.
• Mapei UK: UK arm of Italian multinational Mapei S.p.A., offering a much broader portfolio of tile adhesives, grouts, levellers and construction chemicals; competes directly with Tilemaster on commercial specifier-led projects.

Direct peers

• Building Adhesives Ltd (BAL): UK manufacturer of tile adhesives, grouts and floor preparation products; frequently cited as a former employer of Tilemaster's sales hires and the closest like-for-like competitor in the British tiling trade.
• Dunlop Adhesives: UK-focused range of tile adhesives, grouts and floor levellers sold through merchant and DIY channels; competes head-to-head with Tilemaster at the professional tiling counter.
• Norcros Adhesives: UK adhesives manufacturer (part of Norcros plc) supplying tile adhesives, grouts and building chemicals through merchant channels; operates in the same professional tiling category as Tilemaster.
• Ultra Floor (Instarmac Group): UK-based manufacturer of floor levelling compounds, smoothing products and tiling materials under the Ultra Floor brand; competes most directly with Tilemaster's floor preparation range.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tilemasteradhes

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tilemaster Adhesives