Three suppliers have won the rights to supply about $85 million of paint to the Earthquake Commission (EQC) and Southern Response for Canterbury repairs.

Dulux, Wattyl and Resene make up the panel which will supply the rebuild with an estimated 8 million litres of paint, but also have to pay the Government a rebate on their paint sales.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, which called for tenders in July on behalf of EQC, will not say what the percentage the rebate will be calculated on.

A spokeswoman said five expressions of interest were received, but two were non-compliant.

The successful three are likely to supply between $80m and $90m, she said.

EQC is repairing about 100,000 homes with $15,000-$100,000 of damage and has enlisted Fletcher EQR to project manage the task.

The paint may also be used for the repairs and rebuilds of Southern Response Earthquake Services - the AMI Insurance claims taken on by the Government

The paint will be supplied to contractors through existing trade channels.

The contract for the preferred paint supplier would also extend to the rest of government agencies as part of the All of Government procurement policy.

Dulux national trade manager Tony Leard said the company recently opened a permanent trade centre in Hornby to replace a year-old temporary store.

A second trade centre is being built on Ferry Rd to replace its original earthquake-damaged store. That should be completed by March.

Dulux has also enlisted Waltham Rd paint business Automotive Colours as a Dulux trade outlet.

- © Fairfax NZ News