Sherwin-Williams

Corporate brand

A global paints and coatings company serving architectural, industrial, automotive, marine, flooring, and consumer markets.

Last updated October 27, 2026

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Overview

Sherwin-Williams is an American paints and coatings company headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Founded in 1866 by Henry Sherwin and Edward Williams, it developed from a regional paint distributor into one of the world's largest coatings businesses. The company manufactures, distributes, and sells architectural paints, industrial coatings, automotive finishes, floorcoverings, stains, sealants, application tools, and related products. Its operations extend across more than 120 countries and are organized principally into the Paint Stores Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group. The company was established during a period when paint was commonly sold as separate ingredients that customers mixed themselves. Sherwin-Williams helped popularize ready-mixed paint, beginning sales of such products in 1875. Its early growth came through manufacturing expansion, retail distribution, brand development, and acquisitions. The company incorporated in Ohio in 1884 and became the largest coatings manufacturer in the United States by the early 1920s. Its iconic Covered Bridge logo and extensive color catalog helped establish a recognizable consumer-facing identity, while its professional distribution network connected the company to contractors, builders, manufacturers, and institutional customers. Sherwin-Williams has repeatedly broadened its portfolio beyond conventional house paint. Its architectural business supplies interior and exterior coatings, primers, stains, sealers, and related tools through company-operated stores and other channels. Consumer brands have included Valspar, Minwax, Krylon, Purdy, Thompson's WaterSeal, Dutch Boy, Cabot, Dupli-Color, Ronseal, Geocel, and other regional or category brands. The Performance Coatings Group supplies specialized finishes for automotive refinishing, wood products, industrial equipment, packaging, marine uses, and other demanding applications. The company faced economic and strategic pressure in the 1970s, including an unsuccessful takeover attempt by Gulf and Western Industries. It subsequently recovered through a focus on coatings, divestitures of non-core businesses, expansion of its store network, and acquisitions. Important transactions included Paint Sundry Brands and Duron in 2004, Leighs Paints in 2011, the United States and Canadian operations of Comex in 2013, and Valspar in 2017. The Valspar transaction substantially increased Sherwin-Williams' international reach and industrial-coatings capabilities. Later additions included Sika's European industrial coatings business and German distributor Gross & Perthun. Sherwin-Williams remains a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under SHW. Its Cleveland-area headquarters and research facilities reflect the company's long connection with northeastern Ohio, while its stores, factories, laboratories, sales operations, and brand portfolio give it a multinational footprint. The company has also faced serious criticism and litigation involving historic lead paint, environmental contamination, labor practices, and the handling of a viral employee-created social-media channel. These controversies form an important part of the brand's public record alongside its technological and commercial development.

History

Sherwin-Williams traces its origins to 1866, when Cleveland bookkeeper Henry Sherwin invested in Truman Dunham & Co., a paint distributorship. After that partnership ended, Sherwin formed Sherwin, Williams, & Co. with Edward Williams and A. T. Osborn. The new company established manufacturing operations and in 1873 acquired a Cleveland cooperage formerly associated with Standard Oil for its first factory. In 1875 it began selling ready-mixed paint, an important convenience at a time when many customers purchased raw ingredients and mixed paint themselves. Osborn sold his interest in 1882 while retaining retail operations, and the company was incorporated in Ohio in 1884. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Sherwin-Williams expanded through new plants, distribution, retail outlets, and acquisitions. By the early 1920s it had become the largest coatings manufacturer in the United States. The company developed a strong consumer identity through branded products, color systems, packaging, and its Covered Bridge emblem. Its headquarters moved to Cleveland's Midland Building in 1930, remaining there for more than seven decades. A notable product milestone arrived in 1941 with Kem-Tone, a fast-drying water-based interior paint, together with the Roller-Koater applicator. The product helped demonstrate the commercial potential of water-based interior coatings and was later recognized by the American Chemical Society as a National Historic Chemical Landmark. Over subsequent decades, the company extended its technologies into architectural, industrial, automotive, marine, wood, packaging, and protective coatings. Sherwin-Williams encountered a downturn during the 1970s and successfully resisted an attempted takeover by Gulf and Western Industries. During the 1980s and 1990s it refocused on coatings, acquired complementary businesses, and divested non-coatings operations. Its store network and professional distribution model became central to the business. Acquisitions such as Paint Sundry Brands and Duron in 2004 added products and distribution capacity, while later purchases broadened its international and industrial portfolio. The company acquired Leighs Paints in 2011 and Geocel in 2012. It purchased the United States and Canadian operations of Comex in 2013 after Mexican competition authorities rejected the broader proposed transaction; PPG acquired Comex's Mexican business. Sherwin-Williams then agreed to acquire Valspar, completing the transaction in 2017. Valspar strengthened the company's position in consumer, architectural, packaging, automotive, and industrial coatings and made the combined organization more international. In the 2010s and 2020s, Sherwin-Williams continued to invest in specialized coatings and facilities. It brought an EPA-registered microbicidal paint to market in 2016 and later acquired Sika's European industrial coatings business and agreed to purchase Gross & Perthun. The company also committed to a new Cleveland headquarters and a research center in Brecksville. The headquarters project was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and was planned as a roughly $600 million regional investment. The company's history also includes significant legal and reputational challenges. Lead-paint litigation in California resulted in a 2019 settlement after a trial court found Sherwin-Williams and other companies liable for funding abatement. Other lawsuits and investigations have concerned alleged lead contamination, industrial waste, wage practices, and product-performance claims. In 2020, criticism followed the firing of employee Tony Piloseno, whose TikTok videos attracted substantial public attention. These episodes illustrate the tension between Sherwin-Williams' long industrial history, regulatory responsibilities, and modern expectations around transparency, workplace practices, and digital marketing.

2022
Sika industrial coatings business acquired
[1]Sherwin-Williamsen.wikipedia.org
Sherwin-Williams completed the purchase of Sika's European industrial coatings business.
2020
Cleveland headquarters project confirmed
[1]Sherwin-Williamsen.wikipedia.org
The company confirmed a new downtown Cleveland headquarters and began work on a regional research center.
2017
Valspar acquisition completed
[1]Sherwin-Williamsen.wikipedia.org
Sherwin-Williams completed its major acquisition of Valspar.
2016
Microbicidal paint brought to market
[1]Sherwin-Williamsen.wikipedia.org
The company marketed a paint described as the first registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency as microbicidal.
2013
Comex United States and Canadian businesses acquired
[1]Sherwin-Williamsen.wikipedia.org
Sherwin-Williams purchased Comex operations in the United States and Canada after the wider transaction was blocked in Mexico.
2011
Leighs Paints acquired
[1]Sherwin-Williamsen.wikipedia.org
The acquisition added United Kingdom-based intumescent and high-performance industrial coatings capabilities.
2004
Paint Sundry Brands and Duron acquired
[1]Sherwin-Williamsen.wikipedia.org
The company expanded its retail, professional, and paint-accessory businesses through two acquisitions.
1941
Kem-Tone launched
[1]Sherwin-Williamsen.wikipedia.org
Sherwin-Williams introduced Kem-Tone water-based interior paint and the Roller-Koater applicator.
1884
Ohio incorporation
[1]Sherwin-Williamsen.wikipedia.org
The company was incorporated in Ohio.
1875
Ready-mixed paint introduced
[1]Sherwin-Williamsen.wikipedia.org
Sherwin-Williams began selling ready-mixed paint, simplifying paint use for consumers.
1873
First manufacturing facility acquired
[1]Sherwin-Williamsen.wikipedia.org
The company acquired a Cleveland cooperage for use as its first factory.
1866
Company founded in Cleveland
[1]Sherwin-Williamsen.wikipedia.org
Henry Sherwin and Edward Williams established the business that became Sherwin-Williams.

Products and positioning

A vertically integrated, professional-oriented global coatings company combining company-operated distribution, architectural paint brands, consumer products, and specialized industrial technologies.

Architectural paint
Sherwin-Williams Architectural Coatings
Interior and exterior paints, primers, stains, sealers, and related products sold through Sherwin-Williams stores and other channels. The range serves homeowners, professional contractors, builders, designers, and institutional customers, with products differentiated by durability, sheen, application requirements, and surface.
Architectural and consumer coatings
Valspar
A major paint and coatings brand acquired through the 2017 Valspar transaction. It serves consumer, architectural, industrial, packaging, automotive, and other markets, giving Sherwin-Williams a broad international portfolio beyond its core company-store identity.
Wood finishes
Minwax
A consumer brand focused on wood stains, finishes, preparation products, and maintenance products. It is associated with do-it-yourself woodworking, furniture finishing, cabinetry, and interior wood projects.
Spray paint
Krylon
A consumer spray-paint brand serving craft, household, repair, hobby, and general-purpose applications. The brand forms part of Sherwin-Williams' consumer products portfolio.
Paint tools
Purdy
A professional-oriented brand of brushes, rollers, and related paint-application tools. Purdy complements Sherwin-Williams' coatings by addressing the application needs of contractors and serious do-it-yourself users.
Industrial coatings
Performance Coatings
Specialized coatings and finishes for industrial equipment, wood products, automotive refinishing, marine applications, packaging, transportation, and other commercial markets. The business emphasizes performance characteristics such as corrosion resistance, appearance, durability, and process compatibility.

Controversies

2020
TikTok employee dismissal controversy
The firing of employee Tony Piloseno, who had built a large audience through paint-mixing videos, drew criticism from commentators who believed the company had mishandled a valuable organic marketing channel.
Source
2020
California wage-and-break settlement
Sherwin-Williams agreed to pay $3.6 million to settle claims by California workers alleging wage underpayment and failures involving required meal and rest breaks.
Source
2019
California lead-paint litigation settlement
Sherwin-Williams and other paint manufacturers faced litigation alleging that historic marketing and sale of lead paint contributed to hazards in older housing. A reported $305 million settlement was reached in 2019 after an earlier court ruling concerning abatement funding.
Source
2019
New Jersey industrial-waste lawsuit
New Jersey sued Sherwin-Williams over alleged industrial discharges from three sites and alleged failures to disclose pollution to state environmental authorities.
Source
2019
New Jersey sues Sherwin-Williams over pollution damage
New Jersey sued Sherwin-Williams for monetary damages connected to alleged longtime pollution in three Camden County municipalities. The state alleges that company operations released hazardous wastes and that Sherwin-Williams failed to timely disclose or notify the state about contamination. Sherwin-Williams said it has a longstanding environmental commitment and is actively remediating areas of the site.
Source

2014Angels home run paint-can promotion
United States
Sherwin-Williams promoted a possible $1 million donation to the Angels Baseball Foundation if a home-run ball entered a giant paint can at Angel Stadium on the fly. In 2017 a ball reached the can after bouncing, and the technical qualification led to criticism when the donation was not made.
Outcome. The promotion generated renewed public attention and reputational criticism over the distinction between the billboard wording and the promotion's technical condition.
Source

Brand decisions

2022
Acquire Sika's European industrial coatings businessM&A
Background
The transaction was intended to strengthen Sherwin-Williams' European industrial coatings capabilities.
Action taken
Sherwin-Williams completed the acquisition in April 2022.
Aftermath
The acquired business expanded the company's European industrial-coatings operations.
Source
2020
Commit to new Cleveland headquarters and research facilitiesStrategy
Background
Sherwin-Williams sought larger facilities while maintaining its long-term connection to the Cleveland area.
Action taken
The company committed to a new downtown Cleveland headquarters complex and began work on a Brecksville research center.
Aftermath
The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the originally projected headquarters opening.
planned facilities investment. $600 million (2020 announcement)
Source
2016
Agree to acquire ValsparM&A
Background
Sherwin-Williams pursued a large-scale combination to broaden its consumer and industrial coatings portfolio and international reach.
Action taken
The company announced an acquisition of Valspar and completed the merger in 2017.
Aftermath
Valspar became a major part of the combined company's consumer and performance-coatings portfolio.
announced transaction value. $9.3 billion (2016 announcement)
Source
2013
Purchase Comex businesses in the United States and CanadaM&A
Background
Sherwin-Williams sought to expand through Comex, but Mexican regulators rejected the broader transaction on competition grounds.
Action taken
The company acquired Comex's United States and Canadian divisions, while the Mexican division was acquired by PPG.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded Sherwin-Williams' North American presence without transferring the Mexican business.
Source

Recent events

2022-01-14
Sherwin-Williams announces 12% Americas Group price increase[5]Sherwin-Williams 宣布 Americas Group 涨价 12%prnewswire.com
Reported: 2022-01-14
Sherwin-Williams announced a 12% price increase in The Americas Group, effective February 1. The source reports this as a planned increase, not a completed change.
2022-01-14
Sherwin-Williams announces preliminary 2021 results[5]Sherwin-Williams 宣布 Americas Group 涨价 12%prnewswire.com
Reported: 2022-01-14
The Sherwin-Williams Company announced preliminary unaudited sales and earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021.
2021-09-08
Sherwin-Williams lowers third-quarter sales guidance[6]Sherwin-Williams下调第三季度销售指引finanznachrichten.de
Reported: 2021-09-08
Sherwin-Williams lowered its third-quarter consolidated net sales guidance to be up or down by a low-single-digit percentage over the prior year. The company said raw-material availability, including the impact of Hurricane Ida, would negatively affect third-quarter sales.
2021-08-19
Sika agrees to sell European industrial coatings business to Sherwin-Williams[7]Sika同意将欧洲工业涂料业务出售给Sherwin-Williamsfinanznachrichten.de
Reported: 2021-08-19
Sika agreed to sell its European industrial coatings business, based in Germany, to The Sherwin-Williams Company. The transaction was expected to close in early 2022.
2021-07-01
Sherwin-Williams announces new coating system in China[8]宣伟宣布在中国推出全新涂料体系prnasia.com
Reported: 2021-07-01
Sherwin-Williams announced that its Coil and Extrusion Coatings business unit was introducing a new white, ultra-low-gloss polyester coating system in China.
2021-04-27
Sherwin-Williams completes Wattyl divestiture[9]宣伟完成Wattyl业务剥离prnewswire.com
Reported: 2021-04-27
Sherwin-Williams said it completed the previously announced divestiture of its Wattyl business in Australia and New Zealand during the quarter.
2020-10-20
Encore Coatings announces national program with Menards and Sherwin-Williams[10]Encore Coatings宣布与Menards和Sherwin-Williams开展全国性项目prweb.com
Reported: 2020-10-20
Encore Coatings announced a new national program with Menards and Sherwin-Williams to feature its GermaFobe products.
Unconfirmed
Sherwin-Williams launches Powdura ECO coatings[11]宣伟推出Powdura ECO涂料pfonline.com
Reported: 2020-04-23
Sherwin-Williams launched the first products from its Powdura ECO platform, a line of powder coatings made with polyester resin containing 25% pre-consumer recycled plastic.
Unconfirmed
New Jersey sues Sherwin-Williams over pollution damage[4]New Jersey sues Sherwin-Williams over pollution damagecourierpostonline.com
Reported: 2019-12-24
New Jersey sued Sherwin-Williams for monetary damages connected to alleged longtime pollution in three Camden County municipalities. The state alleges that company operations released hazardous wastes and that Sherwin-Williams failed to timely disclose or notify the state about contamination. Sherwin-Williams said it has a longstanding environmental commitment and is actively remediating areas of the site.
2019-10-22
Sherwin-Williams reported third-quarter 2019 financial results[12]宣伟公布 2019 年第三季度财务业绩prnewswire.com
Reported: 2019-10-22
The Sherwin-Williams Company announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019, including consolidated net sales of $4.87 billion and diluted net income of $6.16 per share.

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