New ownership a refresh for Wilsonart in New Zealand

In late 2021 New Zealand Panels Group acquired the New Zealand distribution for Wilsonart HPL with its purchase of Acero.

With a history dating back to 1956 when it was founded in the US by Ralph Wilson, Wilsonart has built a reputation for high quality, high pressure laminate that brings long-lasting style, on-trend designs and trusted performance for both residential and commercial interiors.

With the change in ownership, distribution for Wilsonart has moved from Acero to the joinery merchant network owned by NZ Panels Group; Impey’s and Anthony Shearer. At the same time the range has been refined, a new website has been launched at wilsonart.co.nz and new sample boards and folders are now appearing in the market.

Four ranges offering plenty of options

The range of 66 decors is split into four ranges. The High Definition range has 11 decors, all featuring AEON™ Enhanced Performance Technology and anti-microbial protection. The Gloss range has seven popular decors with the darker colours also featuring AEON ™ . The Standard range is anything but with an array of 46 stunning decors and a variety of finishes, many also featuring AEON™

Specifically designed for highly corrosive environments, the Chemsurf decors in the Specialty range provide exceptional chemical resistance. Ideal for health and hospitality applications where harsh cleaning agents may damage surfaces. This Specialty range also includes some metallic options.

Declare label boosts interest from architects Group Marketing Manager for NZ Panels Group, Desiree Keown, said the news that US decors from Wilsonart have the Declare label had been met with great enthusiasm from local architects, especially those working on Living Building Challenge projects.

Her specification team had all reported a surge in interest in Wilsonart from architects and designers and the reputation of the brand and its quality was a key factor in that, as much as the appeal of having Declare.

In April this year, Wilsonart was the first laminate manufacturer to receive the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) Declare label. Declare labels operate similar to food ingredient labels, detailing the material health composition of building products to help inform consumers about the safety of the products they use every day. www.wilsonart.co.nz

With 2X more post-consumer recycled content than any other laminate brand, it’s one of the most innovative and environmentally friendly decorative surface materials available and is ideal for a wide range of vertical and horizontal applications.

Wilsonart HPL is also GREEN GUARD Gold Certified to meet low chemical emission limits for better indoor air quality.