A BRIEF OVERVIEW
OF OUR HISTORY

KUPSA started out in 1969, the result of its founder’s entrepreneurial spirit and initiative.

Land covering a surface area of 50,000 m2 was acquired, upon which were constructed Factory I, laboratory, an office building and a product warehouse.

Factory II was constructed and Resins Warehouse 1.

Large scale extensions to the Production Plant were undertaken and a large Central Warehouse for Finished Product was built.

We exhibited at the Maderalia trade fair in Valencia, presenting a complete range of products for ULTRAVIOLET DRYING for wood and related products, with these being applied on the stand; a real first, and thereby confirming Kupsa’s wish to consolidate itself as a leading firm in the market for wood varnishes.

Further extensions and improvements to the production and distribution area. Factory IV, Factory VI and Resins Warehouse II and the Raw Materials warehouse were built and the existing raw material warehouse was duplicated and revamped. Commercial operations in Portugal commenced.

First industrial applications achieved internationally for LACQUERING processes WITH ULTRAVIOLET DRYING and ROBOT application:

• Topcoat Ultraviolet lacquering: Second industrial application on a world level for a White topcoat with ultraviolet drying on an in-line installation using Robot.

• Basecoat Ultraviolet lacquering: First industrial application on a world level for a White topcoat with ultraviolet drying on an in-line installation using Robot.

Construction of Sales Offices and Laboratory.

Rollout of new laboratories for Research and Development, and  Applications, in harmony with the company’s commitment to innovation and service. Sales activities in France commenced.

An extensive segmentation of the production area is undertaken creating specific units for the manufacture of the different products according to their nature. Start-up of Factory V for the production of polyesters and varnishes and ultraviolet drying lacquers.

Rollout of the new resin production plant, which represents a solid guarantee of continuity for KUPSA in the market. That same year the ISO 9001 Certification was achieved.

With the aim of offering sustainable solutions and lowering environmental impact a team for waterborne products is created within the technical department that would culminate in the start-up of a specific plant for achieving such products, Factory VII. Also, an intermediate product manufacturing area is constructed, as are the resins warehouse 3, and a new building for packaging covering 1,000 m2.

A subsidiary in Poland is opened and the Project for internationalisation of the company is initiated. This is not a concluded relationship, rather it continues to grow through new projects which bring concrete results on a daily basis.

Thanks to the technical developments required by new needs in the furniture manufacturing industry regarding special coatings, a differentiation is achieved in Kupsa’s usual product line. Varnishes and lacquers suitable for surfaces other than wood. These materials, suitable for use on metal, plastics, glass, composites… ultimately generate a distinct product line themselves, leading to the creation of the company Abehon Recubrimientos Industriales, under whose brand finishes intended for a wide variety of industries will be marketed.

A new line of products is launched: Can-Coatings, materials for the lacquering and varnishing of metallic surfaces employed in the manufacture of packaging, both for foodstuffs and industrial products. This new line would soon contribute to the continuation of the business in a clear way at a moment when the economic crisis was hitting the traditional Kupsa markets hard.

Opening of the subsidiary in India.

After nearly a decade working with importers to the Mexico market, it was decided to bet firmly on a direct presence there. Kupsa Coatings México S. de RL. CV started its activity that year.

Kupsa Coatings increases its presence in the national market through the acquisition of the goodwill belonging to Alavesa de Barnices (Alaba), a company with a wide experience in the sector for wood finishes. Since 2016 Kupsa manufactures its products and maintains the Alaba brand name in its traditional markets.

New facilities at Kupsa in Poland.

Kupsa celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The Covid19 pandemic becomes global early in the year and despite restrictions Kupsa continues to operate (not without difficulties)  both in Spain and countries where Kupsa is present. In India, Kupsa Coatings Private Limited commences operations despite the strict restrictions in that country, at a new headquarters.

We achieve the ISO 14001:2015 certification

A year that sees great difficulties in the supply for raw materials, which compromises ordinary production activity… Constant price increases, shortages of critical materials, maritime shipping challenges…Despite this, the company continues to bet on its growth and towards the end of the year commences the takeover process of Isolack S.A., a company also focussed on the segment of wood finishes and boasting a long, solid presence in specific areas of the domestic market.

At the beginning of this month of May, an agreement has been reached whereby BARNIPOL S.L. joins the group of companies led by INDUSTRIAS QUIMICAS KUPSA S.L.

BARNIPOL is a Murcian company specializing in wood Coatings that has nearly 30 years experience in this sector.

Through said agreement, KUPSA wil use the BARNIPOL facilities in Lorqui in the near future as a warehouse and headquarters from which to consolidate and increase its presence throughout the Southeast.

At he same time, BARNIPOL will continue its activity, serving its customers and working in the usual way, but with the difference of being reinforced by the range of products and technical assistance from KUPSA where necessary.

At the beginning of April, Industrias Químicas Kupsa S.L. acquired 100% of the shares of the Portuguese company Tintas Lacca S.A., specialized in the segments of wood varnishes, decorative and industrial paints.  With this operation, Kupsa Coatings wants to consolidate its presence in the Portuguese market, and to improve its customer service.  Tintas Lacca will continue with its own commercial activity, which we hope it will strengthen due to the synergies offered by the range of Kupsa Coatings products.

Industrias Carpo is acquired, a respected company with a long history in the coatings market, particularly in wood varnishes and metal paints for industrial and professional use.With this operation, Kupsa manages to improve its presence in Andalusia, having greater logistics capacities and offering additional services to its current clients.

Abehon launches a range of products (primers, varnishes, solvents...) for the vehicle refinish sector. The products begin to be marketed through a distribution network that is gradually covering the entire national territory.

In the month of June, Kupsa acquires the entirety of the company Pinturas Ordesa S.A., located in Cadrete (Zaragoza). This is a reputable company with a strong presence in Aragon and specialized in industrial paints, floor and pavement coatings, as well as decorative paint. In this way, the Kupsa Group strengthens and expands its catalog of finished products beyond its original activity of wood varnishes. This diversification began with the creation of Abehon, continued with the launch of the metal printing range and the acquisition of Tintas Lacca in Portugal, which brought the first decorative paints. With Ordesa, this commitment is significantly reinforced, and its products will reach other geographic markets through the Group’s entire distribution network.

Much to imagine, to do, to improve... All the events that have taken place since the company’s founding in 1969 are memory and remembrance. We do not want to forget, and we will not, but stagnation is not an option. Kupsa’s greatest milestones are still yet to be written.