Around the end of the 19th century, Angelus Bossuyt is a carriage maker. He has six sons, each of whom specialises in one of the crafts to make carriages. One of them is Cyriel, a specialist in painting carriages. He later becomes an independent painter and opens a shop with his wife Elisa Feys, the forerunner of the later ‘Huis Bossuyt’ and thus of ‘colora Waregem’.

In the 1930s, Cyriel's son Antoon Bossuyt marries Blanche De Baere (aka ‘grandma Bossuyt’) and becomes an independent painter. They settle in the Holstraat in Waregem and Antoon takes over some painters from his father Cyriel. Even then, Antoon organised demonstration evenings on ‘decorative techniques’. After the war, Antoon starts producing paint for other painters in his studio in the Holstraat, in a very primitive way.

In 1945, Antoon creates his first company logo: ABW (Antoon Bossuyt Waregem) and recruits the first representative, who makes his first customer visits by bicycle.

The first Bolatex paint is produced, followed later by the first lacquer and primer. The company is now known popularly as Bolatex ABW. The factory building is greatly expanded, with a three-storey production hall. Antoon builds a grandstand on the roof of the new building in anticipation of the Cycling World Cup to be held in Waregem in ‘57. He invites his customers there to enjoy the World Cup together. At the end of the 1950s, two more phases of new construction follow: expansion of warehouse, production, offices and loading quay.

In 1960, the first colour consultant is hired, who also designs labels, paints advertising panels and trucks in bold colour combinations, among other things.

The 1963 World cycling championship is held in Ronse. Antoon has good connections with the organiser and manages to hang BOLATEX advertising panels all over the course. The foreign press asks questions, a Dutch magazine headlined: ‘what on earth does BOLATEX mean’. Football club SV Waregem also gets ‘BOLATEX’ on their training suits.

In 1964, the first generational change takes place. After the death of Antoon Bossuyt, the second generation - Jan, Piet and Paul Bossuyt - took over the reins.

‘Bolatex ABW’ becomes ‘BOSS paints’. The name BOSS paints was introduced. In the early 1970s the creation of a whole department of technical support services, machine service, technical advice, colour advice, training, sample service, ... begins.

In 1978, the current site in Beveren-Leie - a weaving mill - is purchased, rebuilt and expanded, and BOSS paints moves from Stormestraat in Waregem to there.

BOSS paints opens its first colora shop in Bruges. This is the starting point for the retailchain's later success.

In the mid-80s, the Colormix system is launched, allowing a much larger colour range to be offered.

The anniversary of 50 years of BOSS paints. The 10th colora shop is opened in Ninove. The company buildings are expanded. Meanwhile, the third generation of Bossuyt (Ward, Toon, Lieve, Koen and Ivo Bossuyt) joins the company.

The colora shop formula is being completely revised. Among other things, a new logo and a totally revamped shop layout are the result. This marks the start of a spectacular growth in colora success.

An Advisory Board is set up, originally with the main priority of properly guiding the succession of management from the 2nd to the 3rd generation.

The Bossuyt family also decides to provide an annual budget for projects to make the BOSS values of ‘Human' and 'Environment' more tangible ('M&M').

Through a number of projects and collaborations with designers, ‘colour and experience’ is gaining prominence at BOSS paints.

In 2003, the lab and paint production are significantly expanded. BOSS paints Antwerp (BPA) is opened in Kontich, a depot for the professional with a collection service, showroom, training centre, machine department, meeting rooms and offices.

In 2005, Jan hands over the management of the company to his nephew Toon Bossuyt.

That year, the first solar panels are also installed. They are gradually expanded over the years: in 2009 they already account for 25% of BOSS paints' total electricity consumption.

• The generational change has been successfully implemented: the 3rd generation of Bossuyten (Toon, Koen, Ward, Lieve and Ivo) now stands completely on its own two feet, and BOSS paints can present very good sales results.

colora gets a new logo, a new house style and a new baseline: ‘colora, The Paint Shop’. The mega-exhibitions of the golden sixties are back: the first P.A.I.N.T. trade fair takes place in Ghent. It becomes a great success.

Besides depot Waregem and Antwerp, a depot opens in Bruges.

Opening colora Eindhoven, our first colora in the Netherlands.

In 2011, our company restaurant ‘Bar ABW’ was opened. It symbolises what BOSS paints stands for: quality, environmentally aware, customer-oriented and with great consideration for society and people. The kitchen with its own company chefs lovingly prepares tasty and healthy food for employees and customers, and the cosily decorated restaurant creates a bond between each other. The darts board, pool tables, reading corner and table tennis table also transform a break into a relaxing moment.

BOSS paints becomes a member of Unifap (Union des Fabricants de Peintures), a purchasing association of family paint manufacturers.

Within the association, evolutions within the market are closely followed, joint research is conducted and specific know-how is shared. As a major player, Unifap can weigh in on negotiations and purchase raw materials competitively. As a result, the association, which has its headquarters in Paris, enables its members to be powerful in the market. L'union fait la force.

BOSS paints celebrates 75 years. Proud of our history. Confident about the future:

Paint and colour are our passion. For 75 years. We are proud of the lasting quality of our paints and services. Because they evolve with your expectations. We know that you too are proud. As a professional of your creations and your craft. As an individual at your results.

As a employee in your job and the company for which you work. As a human being on yourself and the choices you make. We do everything for that. And because we do it together, we succeed. We therefore confidently looking forward to the next 75 years.

We also start exporting to the USA, specifically to Houston, Texas for Domingue Architectural Finishes.

BOSS paints and colora manage not to be weighed down by the Corona pandemic.

On the contrary; we showed agility in an uncertain and turbulent situation. There was confidence from customers, employees and franchisees. Our turnover grew thanks to our webshop, online advice and the importance of Belgian and local, among other things. You don't get more local than BOSS paints/colora.

In a crisis, there are always opportunities too.

The commitment, flexibility, cooperation and determination of our employees really made a difference.

BOSS & colora grows in Wallonia; a merger takes place with Liège-based Belly Color, Décor Center Liège and Sto.Ri.Mous, 3 companies led by Fabian Belly.

BOSS paints and colora aims to support its customers in the best possible way. In the first place with good paint, but also with appropriate advice, a strong team and fast service. BOSS paints and colora also wants to provide this service digitally.
And yes, we are proud of that!
Of course also of the fact that we are a family business with a rich history, with real values and where sustainable entrepreneurship is simply our way of doing business. And that working with us means that every day you can add colour to your job, to great projects and to your professional growth.
We want everyone to know this.
No fewer than 5 new websites go live:
www.bosspaints.bewww.colora.bewww.corporate.bosspaints.bewww.jobs.boss.bewww.colora.be