Bodyshops will now be able to source all their paint from the Morelli Group after the UK's largest independent distributor snapped up rival firm Car Paints Group for an undisclosed sum.

The move adds the DuPont range of coats to Morelli's extensive line-up, which already includes Spies Hecker, Glasurit and PPG.

The acquisition adds more than £3m to the Morelli Group's £30m turnover and extends its strong national coverage further into Oxford and London. It follows the group's acquisition of Bancrofts in 2000 and consolidates its business with DuPont Performance Coatings.

Morelli Group managing director John Moring says it will allow the company to grow its business base in existing territories.

“The refinish market in the UK is changing rapidly and we must take every opportunity to expand both our customer base and our product offering,” he says. The company plans to merge the group activities into its existing branch structure but will not be taking over the Waltham Abbey and Didcot premises currently operated by Car Paints Group.

Morelli has not bought the Car Paints properties and staff will now be based at Morelli's headquarters in Enfield, Essex.