On 9th November 1949 William Reginald Bousfield, known as Rex, founded Rex Bousfield Ltd.

He started the company in 2 small offices in the city of London with his daughter Joan and they were joined soon after by his sons Peter and Ken.

Since these beginnings, the company has built up a reputation for specialising in niche products, and has realised the strength of presenting new, quality products to the UK market.

At the start the company dealt chiefly with hardboards, acting as agents and, if possible, on an exclusive basis. As the company grew so did the variety of products it handled, and Rex Bousfield Ltd became known as suppliers of various special sheet materials. Soon customers required these products to be supplied in a finished form. The company responded by subcontracting to fabrication firms.

Business began to grow to such an extent that it was necessary to take control of this manufacturing element as fast lead times and quality issues were difficult to maintain with third party involvement. In 1978 the company invested in a new production facility in Oxted, Surrey, where it is still based.

With this new manufacturing capability the company was exposed to a much greater number of market sectors into which panels and associated products could be sold. It was decided that to offer specific focus to these diverse markets, the company should divisionalise, the main established divisions created being:

• Marine Furniture
• Mass Transit Interiors
• Laboratory Surfaces and Environmental Equipment
• Office Furniture Components
• Shop-fitting and Construction Components

We hope the above has provided a brief insight into the evolution of Rex Bousfield Ltd