RAKEM GROUP LIMITED

What RAKEM GROUP LIMITED does

Rakem Group Limited is a privately held UK-based industrial chemical manufacturer and distributor operating through three wholly-owned brands: Rakem (distribution), Maker (toll manufacturing), and Cemkem (performance additives and admixtures for construction). The company self-describes as the UK and Ireland's leading chemical distributor for coatings, inks, plastics, and paper industries, while also serving the UK dry mix mortar and broader construction sector through Cemkem. The Maker division provides end-to-end toll manufacturing services, developing, fine-tuning, and producing custom chemical formulations for business customers, effectively extending their manufacturing capacity.

The company's core technology stack centers on industrial chemical formulation development, blending, and packaging operations rather than software or digital platforms. Its operations are supported by an experienced technical services team that assists customers with product development and quality assurance, particularly in construction and dry mix mortar applications. Rakem Group holds ISO 9001 (valid through August 2028), ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications, providing third-party validated quality, environmental, and occupational health credentials required by enterprise chemical buyers.

The business model is B2B transaction-fee based across three revenue streams: chemical distribution (unit pricing with minimum 25kg orders, flexible from one-off to recurring deliveries), toll manufacturing services (custom formulation development and production fees), and performance additives supply to construction. The go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-based, targeting enterprise and mid-market industrial buyers in UK and Ireland markets through direct field sales, industry trade show participation (Concrete Show 2025, ChemUK 2025), and content marketing. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company is headquartered at Irwell House, Bury, Lancashire, England, operates with 11–50 employees, and has no disclosed parent company, institutional investors, or public listing.

Name

RAKEM GROUP LIMITED

Legal name

Rakem Group Limited

Website

https://rakem.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rakem Group Limited is a UK-based privately held industrial chemical manufacturer and distributor operating three brands (Rakem, Maker, Cemkem) serving coatings, inks, plastics, paper, and construction industries across the UK and Ireland with distribution, toll manufacturing, and construction additives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Chemical Distribution and Manufacturing

NAICS

Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (42469), Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (4246), Paint, Varnish, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (424950)

akta.pro primary industry

Formulation R&D, Scale-Up & Tech Transfer Services (AFABAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Contract Warehousing, Blending & Distribution for Agrochemicals (bulk handling, IBC/drum management) (AFABAIAL), Custom Toll Compounding & Pelletizing Services (IMANABAL)

Keywords

• Industrial chemical distribution
• Toll manufacturing services
• Performance additives
• Coatings and inks
• Construction chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Budy

HQ country

Ukraine

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

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. Chemical Distribution: Distribution of industrial chemicals to coatings, inks, plastics and paper industries across UK and Ireland. Revenue generated through product sales with flexible quantities from 25kg upwards.
2. Toll Manufacturing Services: End-to-end manufacturing service developing and making custom chemical formulations for business customers. Revenue derived from manufacturing fees for custom formulation development and production.
3. Performance Additives and Admixtures: Supply and distribution of performance additives and admixtures for building materials to construction industry customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

RAKEM GROUP LIMITED is a UK-based private company that distributes raw materials and industrial chemicals to manufacturers in the paper, coating, plastics, textile fibers, and chemical industries. It also provides toll manufacturing services and supplies construction additives through its three operating divisions. The group offers formulation development, repackaging, and technical support alongside distribution.

Product overview

RAKEM GROUP LIMITED is an industrial chemical manufacturing and distribution company operating three distinct brands: Rakem (chemical distribution), Maker (toll manufacturing), and Cemkem (performance additives for construction). The three brands function as an integrated portfolio serving different segments of the industrial chemicals market - from distribution to manufacturing to specialized construction materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rakem (Raw Materials Distribution)
• Maker (Toll Manufacturing)
• Cemkem (Construction Additives)

Quantifiable outcome

• Trusted by leading household names in UK dry mix mortar and construction industry

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Manuchar: International chemical distribution group with presence across Europe, Africa, and the Americas, including UK operations serving industrial chemicals, coatings, and construction inputs. Comparable multi-segment distribution model with broader geographic reach.
• Stadex (Stader Group): Smaller UK and European specialty chemical distributor focused on niche industrial segments. Comparable regional mid-market positioning to Rakem, though specific end-market mix differs.

Broad incumbents

• Barentz: European specialty chemical and food ingredient distributor serving similar industrial end markets including coatings, plastics, and construction materials. Comparable business model with broader pan-European footprint.
• Brenntag: World's largest chemical distribution company with global scale, full-line specialty and industrial chemical portfolio, and dedicated coatings/adhesives/sealants business unit. Represents the scale ceiling Rakem competes against.
• IMCD: Global specialty chemicals distributor focused on formulation-supporting segments including coatings, plastics, and personal care. Comparable end-market exposure and technical-services-led model, but at materially greater scale.
• Caldic: Specialty chemical and ingredient distributor with European focus on personal care, food, coatings, and industrial markets. Overlaps with Rakem on the coatings/industrial chemicals axis at a meaningfully larger scale.
• Azelis: European-headquartered specialty chemical distributor with strong coatings, plastics, and personal care portfolios. Comparable specialty focus and formulation-supporting services, though operating at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Cornelius Group: UK-based specialty chemical distributor serving coatings, adhesives, plastics, and personal care end markets across Europe. Directly comparable to Rakem's distribution model, customer profile, and geographic focus.
• Tennants Distribution: UK and Ireland chemical distributor with a multi-division structure serving industrial chemicals, coatings, food ingredients, and construction chemicals. Operates a comparable regional B2B distribution model with similar customer segments.

Others

• Univar Solutions: Large North American and European chemical distributor serving coatings, adhesives, food, and industrial cleaning end markets. Overlaps with Rakem's coatings/paper downstream customers but with far broader geographic and product coverage.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 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 RAKEM GROUP LIMITED