...a powerful alliance

As one of the largest painting contractors in the southeast, AC Beck Contracts has recently acquired another big name in painting; Fields, representing a powerful alliance of two highly regarded Thames Valley based firms.

Steve Beck said: "This is an important acquisition in terms of painting and decorating in the south of England. Here we have the merger of two of the best known names in the industry". For many years Fields was 'the' name in painting and decorating in the UK and at its peak the company had a workforce of over 200 across regional offices from Nottingham to Victoria in central London.

Steve Beck said: "Fields has a sound client base and good quality trades people. We envisage that this business will operate as a small-works department within AC Beck, managing contracts to a value of £20,000 while the AC Beck infrastructure incorporates projects from £20,000 to £1 million plus". He added "we are keen to retain the identity of Fields by maintaining its management structure, company philosophy and labour force. We also intend to grow this business, which we believe will benefit from the support of our administrative and Health and Safety structure and the buying power we have with Dulux as one of the largest users of ICI Dulux paint in the UK".

Fields originally started as a sign painting company in Nottingham in 1925. From there the company was bought by William Vaughan and set up as a painting and decorating operation based in Eldon Square, Reading. Further bases were opened in London, Salisbury and Birmingham.