East Anglian builders merchants Kent Blaxill have set up a new wholesale company called Global Stone (Colchester) Ltd to import natural stone from around the world.

Kent Blaxill, who have branches in Ipswich, Norwich, Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury, Woodbridge and Frinton, and serve a 50-mile radius from their Colchester headquarters, are in the process of establishing a network of independent merchant stockists nationwide.

Sandstones, slates, granites and travertine are being imported from China, India, Turkey and Holland. Personal contacts have been established in each country, say Kent Blaxill. The stone is being brought in by the container load as finished paving and tiles, as well as rocks and coloured aggregate.

Simon Blaxill, Kent Blaxill\'s managing director, says: "This new subsidiary company has been born following the success Kent Blaxill has had in selling garden materials over the last two years.

"We are making available products that were not previously for sale in this country and at prices that people can afford. We are aiming to use our experience in this market to source and develop new products and ideas."

Julian Wood has been appointed general manager of the new company.

Kent Blaxill will stock 25,000m2 of stone with more arriving from around the world on a monthly basis.

Julian Wood said: "Because we are specialists in natural stone we are offering a wider range and more flexible service than many other large organisations."

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