Our History
With more than 50 years of experience developing world-class synthetics for the print market, Kernow Coatings has taken pride in a long history of quality, precision, and innovation built into every one of our products. Learn about our history and key milestones over the past 50 years below...
Our founding year
Sensitisers (Western) Ltd was incorporated in 1973. We began trading in the coating of mill reels in 1974. Our first products were Drafting Film, Sepialine Diazo Tracing Paper, Double Matt Sepialine Diazo & Double Matt Blackline Diazo. Although we only had one coating machine, demand for work was high and more buildings were quickly constructed to cope with the quick growth!
The decade of growth
Kernow Coatings Ltd was incorporated in 1980 and began to trade in the conversion of mill reels. Diazo Redline and Blackline aluminised speciality films and card stock were introduced.
By 1981, the company had 50 full time employees, demonstrating incredible growth. This expansion required another building to be purchased.
In 1986, the company made the brave venture out of reprographics and into studio light filters which proved a huge success!
The decade we celebrated our 25th birthday
This decade marked a major shift for Kernow Coatings as it moved toward aqueous chemistry and launched its first water-based product, Kernowplot. The company introduced several innovations - including new inkjet-receptive surfaces, Kernow DesignJet films, HydroCopy White, and Inkjet Gloss and Satin papers - while adding two new coating machines and developing its unique Window Cling adhesive. The year ended with the celebration of Kernow’s 25th anniversary.
The decade we expanded into North America
This decade saw Kernow Coatings launch new desktop inkjet papers and films, expand its wide-format inkjet range and introduce its first UV inkjet product. We rebranded internationally, opened a new research facility in Penryn and installed a high-capacity coating machine alongside new sheeter and slitter equipment. Growth accelerated with new solvent-ink technologies and the start of North American operations.
The decade of further expansion and innovation
This decade marked major global growth and technological advancement for Kernow Coatings, with key product launches, including HydroPrint 3rd and 4th generation chemistries and KernowPrint MetaliK.
Significant R&D investment, new pilot coaters and a full rebrand strengthened operations, while international expansion reached North America, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Leadership evolved, staff numbers grew to 100 and the company celebrated its 40th anniversary, cementing its market presence.
The decade of cutting edge products & global showcasing
In this decade, we led the market by launching KernowPrint Antimicrobial Synthetic for dry toner, offering proven microbe inhibition of up to 99.94%. We significantly expanded our KernowJet Wide Format range, introducing new printable wallcoverings, window graphics, and floor graphic films.
Leadership strengthened with the appointment of a new CEO, Steve Gulliford, bringing 30 years of industry experience along with him. Kernow continued to showcase its innovations globally, exhibiting at FESPA in Europe and Printing United in the U.S several times.