Behind the brand
About Us
Our ambition is to be the UK's leading manufacturer of advanced timber coatings, providing our customers with innovative products that protect, preserve, and beautify wood with minimal environmental impact.
Founded in 1980, Protek has grown from an industrial sector specialist to a nationally recognised brand. Our family-run ethos ensures a commitment to quality and customer service that has been our hallmark for over 40 years.
We take pride in our UK manufacturing, combining generations of expertise with cutting-edge science.
Our Heritage
The Vision
Husband and wife team Eric and Janet Thornborough founded Protek in Somerset's Mendip Hills with a revolutionary vision - to create quality timber coatings that were effective, long-lasting, yet kind to the environment. While the industry relied on harsh, toxic chemicals like creosote, they pioneered water-based wood preservatives from their Somerset factory. Starting with just browns and greens, they developed products that gave excellent coverage and lasting protection while being environmentally responsible. This wasn't just good business - it was the foundation of everything Protek would become.
Leading the Change
For decades, Protek has chosen the harder path - perfecting water-based technology while competitors continued using harmful chemicals. Our commitment to low-VOC, low-odour formulations put us years ahead of industry trends. During this period, we established our reputation with timber merchants and the shed manufacturing industry, proving that environmental responsibility and superior performance could go hand in hand. Our Somerset factory became renowned for innovation, developing concentrated treatments and expanding our customer base to include major timber merchants across the country. Every product bore the hallmark of our founding principles: effective protection without compromise.
Expanding Horizons
The new millennium brought dramatic transformation. Our customer base expanded beyond timber merchants to include garden leisure companies, architects, and eventually high-profile TV productions like ITV's Love Your Garden and Channel 4's Great Garden Plot with Prue Leith. Innovation accelerated across every area - our colour palette exploded from simple browns and greens to over 100 stunning shades, capturing contemporary trends with blacks, anthracite greys, and vibrant blues. We launched our premium Royal range during this period, establishing Protek as the go-to choice for discerning professionals. Environmental leadership continued with our pioneering move to recyclable metal tins and plastic buckets, proving sustainability and performance could advance together.
AWARD Winning
Daughters Becky and Harriet took the helm, bringing fresh energy while honouring family values. Their leadership has elevated Protek to new heights with breakthrough innovations including ESP Panels and ESP Timber for the construction industry. Recent accolades include Ideal Home's Best Exterior Paint 2024 for our Royal Exterior range, and prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show 'People's Choice' and 'Silver-gilt' awards for the 'Bees For Development' garden collaboration. Our debut at RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival 2025 showcased a Somerset-inspired interactive garden, complete with pear tree symbolising our cider country roots. Today, we're prouder than ever of our heritage and excited about our sustainable future.