Zinsser UK
Zinsser UK is a 175-year-old specialty paints, primers, and sealers brand manufactured by Tor Coatings Ltd in County Durham and distributed across the UK to professional painters, social housing providers, industrial maintenance buyers, and DIY consumers through merchants, hardware stores, and DIY chains.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1849
- HeadquartersGateshead, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Zinsser UK does
Zinsser UK is a UK specialty coatings brand, manufactured and marketed by Tor Coatings Ltd from a County Durham production facility, with a regional head office in Gateshead and a registered office in Bristol. The brand was founded in 1849 by William Zinsser in the United States and is part of the Tor Coatings division of RPM International Inc., a $7.3 billion NYSE-listed specialty coatings group headquartered in Medina, Ohio. The product portfolio centers on problem-solving primers, sealers, and paints built around proprietary shellac-based and water-based chemistry (flagship B-I-N shellac primer, B-I-N AQUA, Bulls Eye 1-2-3 universal primer, PermaWhite mould-resistant paint, and the AllCoat multi-surface exterior range), supplemented by waterproofing, surface preparation, and accessory products. Products are manufactured in ISO 9001-certified facilities.
The company sells to professional painters and decorators, industrial maintenance buyers, social housing providers, architects and specifiers, and DIY consumers, primarily through paint merchants, hardware retailers, DIY chains, and industrial wholesalers in the UK. Go-to-market combines product-led growth (industry-first formulations generating organic pull), channel-led distribution (Stockist Finder tool), and a sales-led specification service that provides on-site advice, training, and technical support to professionals. A free Pro Membership program adds a recurring engagement layer for trade customers.
Revenue mechanics are predominantly one-time product sales through distribution partners, with no publicly disclosed UK pricing, and the Specification Service and Pro Membership function as supporting/loyalty mechanisms rather than standalone revenue streams. Zinsser UK does not disclose revenue or employee figures; commercially sensitive inputs are absorbed within the broader RPM International group reporting structure.
Zinsser UK firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zinsser UK
- Legal name
- Tor Coatings Ltd
- Website
- https://zinsseruk.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1849
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Zinsser UK is a 175-year-old specialty paints, primers, and sealers brand manufactured by Tor Coatings Ltd in County Durham and distributed across the UK to professional painters, social housing providers, industrial maintenance buyers, and DIY consumers through merchants, hardware stores, and DIY chains.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zinsser UK industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Paints and Coatings
- NAICS
- Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510)
- SIC
- Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial & Protective Coatings (IMAEAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Staining & Clear Coating (Wood Trim, Doors, Decks) (HSAPAHAI)
Keywords
Where Zinsser UK is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gateshead
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Zinsser UK business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Specialty Paints and Primers Sales: Revenue is generated from the sale of proprietary paints, primers, sealers, coatings, and related surface preparation products to professional contractors, industrial users, and consumers through distribution channels.
- Professional Specification Services: Free specification service offered to professionals, providing on-site advice, training, and technical assistance that supports product sales and specification wins.
- Pro Membership Program: Free membership program offering professional painters exclusive access to expert advice, offers and benefits to build brand loyalty.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Zinsser UK product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zinsser UK manufactures and supplies a specialist range of paints, primers, sealers, and coatings under long-established brands such as B-I-N, Bulls Eye 1-2-3, Cover Stain, PermaWhite, and AllCoat. The product range is designed to solve common painting problems including stain blocking, mould resistance, and adhesion on difficult substrates, and is sold through trade stockists, DIY chains, and industrial wholesalers for use by professional decorators, specifiers, industrial maintenance teams, and DIY consumers.
Product overview
Zinsser UK is a manufacturer and supplier of specialist paints, primers, sealers, and coatings for the building and construction sector. The product portfolio operates across three main categories: (1) Primers and Sealers — including the flagship B-I-N® shellac-based primer-sealer, B-I-N® AQUA (water-based alternative), Bulls Eye® 1-2-3 universal primer, Cover Stain®, Gardz®, and Peel Stop®; (2) Interior Paints — including PermaWhite® Matt and Satin (mould-resistant), and AllClean® Matt (scrubbable); (3) Exterior Paints — including the AllCoat® range available in Satin, Gloss, and Matt finishes in both water-based and solvent-based formulations, offering up to 15 years protection. Additional specialty products include waterproofing (WaterTite®), multi-function coatings (Drywall Pro 2-in-1, Ceiling Pro 5-in-1), specialty coatings (Write-on Paint®, Wallpaper Cover-Up), wood finishing (SealCoat™), surface preparation tools (Paper Tiger®), and maintenance products (Mould Killer & Remover, Universal Degreaser & Cleaner). The products are designed as problem-solving solutions for professional contractors and DIY users.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Tor Coatings: The parent operating division of Zinsser UK, responsible for manufacturing and marketing the Zinsser range in the UK from County Durham, England.
Products and services
- B-I-N Primer-Sealer Shellac-based interior primer and stain-blocker designed for professional painters, decorators, and DIY consumers preparing surfaces with stains, knots, smoke damage, or odours.
- Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer Water-based all-surface primer for interior and exterior use, providing adhesion on difficult substrates including glossy paints, plaster, and wood; sold through trade and DIY channels.
- Cover Stain Primer Oil-based stain-blocking primer and sealer used by professional decorators and refurbishment contractors to cover water stains, smoke damage, and tannin bleed.
- PermaWhite Interior Paint Mould- and mildew-resistant interior paint for high-humidity environments, targeted at specifiers, housing providers, and facilities managers.
- AllCoat Exterior Paint Multi-surface exterior coating for substrates including metal, wood, and masonry, sold to professional decorators, industrial maintenance teams, and specifiers.
- Zinsser Specification Service Direct technical specification support for architects, surveyors, and refurbishment specifiers selecting Zinsser coatings for built-environment projects.
Quantifiable outcome
- AllCoat Exterior provides up to 15 years protection on suitably primed exterior surfaces
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Zinsser UK
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Zinsser UK technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Zinsser UK partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- RPM International Inc.coreRPM International Inc. is the ultimate parent company of Zinsser. Founded in 1947 and headquartered in Medina, Ohio, USA, RPM is a $7.3 billion multinational company trading on the NYSE. RPM has sales in over 170 countries and over 17,000 employees worldwide. Zinsser is part of the Tor Coatings division within the RPM portfolio.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Zinsser UK competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Crown Paints: Major UK paint manufacturer with broad architectural and trade paint ranges, including primers and specialty coatings. Competes head-to-head with Zinsser for shelf space at UK merchants and specification wins with social housing and trade contractors.
- Rust-Oleum: Specialty problem-solving coatings brand also owned by RPM International. Sells primers, sealers, and protective coatings for DIY and professional users across substrates, directly overlapping Zinsser's category, channel mix, and end customers.
- Blackfriar Paints: UK specialty paints brand focused on problem-solving primers, sealers, and surface preparation products for trade and DIY. Competes directly with Zinsser in niche primer and surface-prep categories at UK merchants.
- Farrow & Ball: Premium UK decorative paint brand with strong heritage, design-led positioning, and professional decorator/specifier relationships. Competes with Zinsser at the premium/specifier end of the UK architectural coatings market.
- Benjamin Moore: Premium North American paint brand known for specialty primers and high-performance architectural coatings. Overlaps with Zinsser on premium primers, problem-solving positioning, and professional contractor loyalty.
- Ronseal: UK specialty coatings brand focused on problem-solving woodcare, primers, and sealers for DIY consumers and trade. Sells through the same hardware and DIY multiples as Zinsser and competes for the same problem-solving positioning.
- Dulux (AkzoNobel): Leading UK decorative paint brand sold through the same paint merchant, hardware, and DIY retail channels as Zinsser, with comparable interior/exterior product lines targeting both professional decorators and consumers.
Broad incumbents
- Sika: Global construction chemicals and coatings company with sealers, primers, and protective surface treatments. Adjacent to Zinsser's sealing and surface-preparation lines, particularly for construction and infrastructure applications.
- PPG Industries: Global paints and coatings manufacturer with architectural and protective product lines. Overlaps with Zinsser in primers and protective coatings but operates at much larger scale across multiple end markets.
- Sherwin-Williams: Global paints and coatings leader with extensive architectural, industrial, and specialty lines. Competes broadly with Zinsser across primers, sealers, and protective coatings via much larger scale and broader portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Zinsser UK social profiles
Digital presenceZinsser UK compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Zinsser UK financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zinsser UK leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Zinsser UK funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zinsser UK M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Zinsser UK
What does Zinsser UK do?
Zinsser UK manufactures and supplies a specialist range of paints, primers, sealers, and coatings under long-established brands such as B-I-N, Bulls Eye 1-2-3, Cover Stain, PermaWhite, and AllCoat. The product range is designed to solve common painting problems including stain blocking, mould resistance, and adhesion on difficult substrates, and is sold through trade stockists, DIY chains, and industrial wholesalers for use by professional decorators, specifiers, industrial maintenance teams, and DIY consumers.
Is Zinsser UK a public or private company?
Zinsser UK is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Zinsser UK founded?
Zinsser UK was founded in 1849. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Zinsser UK based?
Zinsser UK is headquartered in Gateshead, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Zinsser UK make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Specialty Paints and Primers Sales are the primary driver. The others are professional Specification Services and pro Membership Program.
Who are Zinsser UK's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Crown Paints, Rust-Oleum, Blackfriar Paints, Farrow & Ball, Benjamin Moore, Ronseal and Dulux (AkzoNobel). Broad incumbents are Sika, PPG Industries and Sherwin-Williams.
Does Zinsser UK have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zinsser UK.
What industry is Zinsser UK in?
Zinsser UK's product category is Specialty Paints and Coatings. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAGAB, Industrial & Protective Coatings, with a secondary code of HSAPAHAI, Staining & Clear Coating (Wood Trim, Doors, Decks). Its NAICS code is 32551 and its SIC code is 2851.