1968
Damar Coatings founded in New Zealand.
About us
QUIETLY BRILLIANT PAINT MANUFACTURE, COATINGS, CHEMICALS AND SO MUCH MORE
Our journey of amazing product development and manufacturing since 1968
Our New Zealand and Australian based operations service local markets and export our product ranges throughout Asia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Through strategic growth and continuous improvement, we have expanded our capabilities, diversified our product range, and built lasting partnerships with leading brands across a range of industries.
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Decades of expertise in manufacturing of niche coatings, chemicals, and aerosol products
Damar Industries is proudly owned and operated by Scott and Bev Thomson, with major facilities in Rotorua, New Zealand, and Sydney, Australia.
The journey began in 1986 when the Thomsons purchased The Paint Factory, a small paint manufacturer with three retail outlets. In 1989 they acquired Damar Coatings, founded in 1968 by Ken Darragh and Tony Martin. From a converted cowshed in Tauranga, the company has grown into two large, modern facilities, including a purpose-built 18,600m² laboratory and manufacturing hub in Rotorua, employing more than 200 people.
Damar’s success has been fuelled by acquisitions, investment in technology, and state-of-the-art operations. The Rotorua site houses a fully accredited lab for R&D and contract manufacturing, aerosol and coatings production, warehousing and distribution systems, and onsite tank farms storing over 600,000L of liquid and gas. Together with the large Sydney facility, these enable safe, large-scale operations across both countries.
Diversification remains central to Damar’s growth. The company offers end-to-end services from concept development through to manufacture, branding, distribution, and third-party logistics. With decades of experience and a strong client focus, Scott, Bev, and their team continue to expand locally and offshore, building their reputation as quietly brilliant makers of amazing things.
QUIETLY BRILLIANT
Our commitments
Innovation is in our DNA. In addition to developing our own brand products, our paint and research chemists help our clients realise their product vision too. Our team loves to develop client ideas, and experiment with the latest materials and technology to give our clients an edge on their next product launch.
Quality control is key to everything we produce at Damar Industries. Our comprehensive quality management systems ensure that every product we manufacture or distribute meets the highest standards of performance and reliability. Our dedicated quality assurance team and fully accredited laboratories enable us to maintain rigorous testing protocols throughout the testing and production process. From raw material selection to final product testing, we maintain strict quality controls that give our customers confidence in using Damar Industries for their next project. Our facilities have been built to Dangerous Goods compliance requirements in both New Zealand and Australia.
Our R&D laboratories are fully accredited. Each has highly-trained and experienced chemists that ensure all products that are manufactured by Damar, conform to our exacting standards for quality, safety and durability. Our accreditations include:
- Internationally recognised Quality Standards of ISO9001:2015.
- Laboratory Accreditation of ISO17025:2018.
- ACVM Certification – Veterinary Medicines.
- Food Grade Certification.
APAS (Australian Paint Approval Scheme) for roadmarking paints.
We’re committed to reducing the environmental impact of our consumer products through responsible formulation, efficient manufacturing, and sustainable packaging choices wherever possible.
The team
Our brilliant team
We couldn’t create amazing things without a team of passionate experts. From chemists to production specialists, machine operators and health and safety managers, we have a talented team creating our products and supporting our customers. We take pride in helping our customers to keep our roads safer, our farms more efficient, and our houses more comfortable. Think you've got what it takes to be part of the Damar Industries team?
