Founded in the City of London in 1877, Coates Brothers were intially general suppliers to the print trade but were soon specialising in printing inks.

Moving their main manu-facture to Cray Avenue in 1936, the business expanded rapidly until it covered over 5 acres.

In the 1970s they took over this second site a short distance to the south, formerly owned by Johnson Riddle & Co., now called Coates Lorilleux and part of the Sun Chemical Corporation.

The company continues to trade from this building, although the original factory has been closed.