01732 360 095
01732 360 095
1848
John Newton established the company in 1848 at Verney Road in South London, as a specialist supplier of plasterers' hair and ancillary products for the construction industry. John Newton and Company soon became the largest supplier of plasterers’ hair in England.
Circa 1848 – John Newton founded the company.
1931
On a visit to Germany in 1920 John Newton had seen a corrugated bitumen impregnated fibre board being applied as a damp-proof layer externally to buildings ready for a render to be applied to it.
Believing that with slight modification it could be used internally as a damp proof membrane that could be plastered onto, he pioneered the air gap method of damp proofing in 1931 with the design and production of the first physical damp proof membrane ‘Newtonite’. Fixed to the wall with nails, the corrugations in the membrane itself created an air gap between the Newtonite and the wall therefore allowing the wall to breathe and moisture to evaporate.
1930 – Newton design the first physical damp proof membrane, Newtonite.
1940 to 1983
Business was put on hold during World War II, however in post-war, blitz-damaged London construction began with the upgrading of existing housing to create dry, habitable accommodation using Newton’s Newtonite membrane. During this period over 5 million square metres of Newtonite were installed.
The 1980’s also brought innovation with Chairman Christopher Newton inventing Newlath – the first HDPE dimpled sheet membrane with a heat welded nylon mesh that could be plastered directly onto. Newlath has continued to be the industry-leading damp proof membrane since this time, with over 2 million square metres installed in the UK.
1960s – Newtonite installed extensively throughout the UK.
1986
In 1986 Newton developed and launched our flagship basement waterproofing solution, Newton System 500, a full waterproofing system that can be applied internally in any below-ground structure requiring a completely dry space. Since 1986 Newton System 500 has been constantly developed and improved, with installations in thousands of UK properties. The system also holds BBA certification and is still considered to be the professional’s system of choice.
2003
In 2003 the Newton Specialist Basement Contractor (NSBC) scheme was implemented in response to poor quality contractor schemes infiltrating the UK waterproofing industry, resulting in clients losing faith that the waterproofing contractor was able to deliver the dry basement they required. The Newton Specialist Basement Contractor scheme was the first of its kind, offering peace of mind to both the designer and the client by talking full design liability on the project.
2012
In 2012, due to our expanding product range and staff numbers, Newton Waterproofing Systems moved to Tonbridge, and into the large integrated office and warehouse space that we still call home. In our new facility we are able to offer contractors full training on our systems and services.
2018
Newton Waterproofing Systems are celebrating 170 years and are continually working to improve and expand our product range, sourcing products from a number of suppliers throughout the UK and globally.
As a reflection of this in 2016 Newton introduced our official ‘Guide to Waterproofing’ in order to provide thorough guidance on the different types of structural waterproofing and damp proofing, as well as an introduction to the complete portfolio of Newton waterproofing products.
2020
Formed in 2020, the Newton Specification Partnership was the result of Newton's desire to improve the process of designing and specifying waterproofing systems. The result is a nationwide network of approved architects and specifiers that work directly with Newton to provide high-quality, technically-sound waterproofing solutions for any basement or below-ground structure.
2022
Towards the end of 2022, we opened Newton’s new Northern branch and distribution centre in Leeds, an expansion that gives our customers across the North and Midlands quicker and easier access to our extensive range of waterproofing products, technical services and delivery options.
The new Distribution Centre is an invaluable addition to the existing head office in Tonbridge, enabling Newton to better serve the whole of the UK.
This year, we also expanded our fleet of Newton vehicles across the country, providing guaranteed next-day deliveries.
2023
2023 marks Newton’s prestigious 175th anniversary, an incredible milestone for the company. Looking back, we’re proud of our long and rich history, product developments, prestigious waterproofing projects, the contemporary waterproofing services we’ve introduced, including our design service and ongoing professional training, as well as the many industry awards we’ve won over the years.
We owe a huge thank you to all our partners and valued customers who have joined us over the years for their continued support, and we very much look forward to many more successful decades ahead.
"Having been involved in the company since I started stoking the boiler in 1963, right through to the present day in my position as Chairman, I have always been proud to be able to say that Newton is a family-run company, with a family ethos that remains strong even as we continually expand, grow and improve. Nearly 20 years ago my son-in-law Warren Muschialli took over as Managing Director, supported by his wife, my daughter Lucinda. This family ethos, alongside our independent status, is the foundation for the 21st Century Newton, allowing us to constantly offer the highest levels of service, and source new and innovative solutions to the trickiest waterproofing problems." Christopher Newton, Chairman, Newton Waterproofing Systems
Our staff are able to provide guidance for projects of all sizes, whether you require some general advice about damp or waterproofing, or support with technical drawings and specifications.
We will be closing between Christmas and New Year, with the last day of operations being Friday 20th December. Last orders for delivery before Christmas therefore need to be placed by 2pm on Thursday 19th December, with final deliveries on Friday 20th December. After this, no deliveries will be possible until January 2025. The Newton branches in Tonbridge and Leeds will reopen in the New Year on Thursday 2nd January 2025.
