Who Owns Krylon?
Krylon is an aerosol spray paint brand owned by The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW). Founded in 1947 in Philadelphia, Krylon pioneered consumer spray paint and remains the category's leading brand. Sherwin-Williams acquired Krylon in 1990 and sells it through mass retailers, hardware stores, and craft outlets.
Parent Company
Acquired
1990
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Krylon Timeline
Who Owns Krylon?
- Parent Company: The Sherwin-Williams Company
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 1990
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: SHW
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Krylon | The Sherwin-Williams Company | Wholly owned |
Where to Buy
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Krylon on AmazonHistory of Krylon
- Founded: 1947
- Founders: Howard Kester
- Acquired by The Sherwin-Williams Company: 1990
Howard Kester founded Krylon Inc. in Philadelphia in 1947 and is credited with bringing spray paint to the consumer market. Kester adapted aerosol technology developed during World War II (originally for insecticide delivery) into a paint delivery system, and Krylon's aerosol cans transformed how consumers and businesses applied paint.
Krylon's early spray paints found immediate demand for furniture, automotive touch-up, and industrial marking. The brand became synonymous with spray paint in America, a category it effectively created and dominated for decades.
Borden Chemical acquired Krylon in the 1960s and operated it within its consumer products division. In 1990, Sherwin-Williams acquired Krylon along with other Borden brands, integrating it as the company's aerosol specialist.
Under Sherwin-Williams, Krylon expanded its line beyond traditional spray paint into specialty coatings: ColorMaster, Fusion for Plastic (paint that bonds to plastic without primer, a genuine technical advance), chalkboard paint, outdoor fabric paint, craft paints, and industrial marking paints. The brand's COVERMAXX and Dual lines added premium features.
Krylon's positioning has endured through categories that expanded around it: from utility spray paint to DIY craft applications, furniture refinishing, and the maker culture. As of 2026 it remains the leading consumer spray paint brand in North America.
About The Sherwin-Williams Company
Who owns Valspar paint?
Valspar is owned by Sherwin-Williams, which acquired Valspar Corporation in 2017 for approximately $11.3 billion. Valspar is sold through Lowe's stores in the United States under an exclusive retail partnership. The Valspar brand also includes industrial coatings businesses that serve packaging, coil, and wood coating markets globally.
Is Sherwin-Williams publicly traded?
Yes. Sherwin-Williams trades on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker SHW. The company is a component of the S&P 500 and has a market capitalization of approximately $60 billion as of mid-2026. No controlling shareholder exists, with ownership distributed among institutional investors including Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street Global Advisors.
Who owns Dutch Boy paint?
Dutch Boy is owned by Sherwin-Williams. The brand dates to 1907 and is positioned in the value and mid-market segments of architectural paint. Dutch Boy products are sold through mass retail channels including hardware stores and home improvement centers.
Who owns Krylon spray paint?
Krylon is owned by Sherwin-Williams. Krylon is the leading spray paint brand in the United States and competes with RPM International's Rust-Oleum in the protective coatings and spray paint segment. Krylon products are sold through hardware stores, home improvement centers, and mass retailers.
What is Sherwin-Williams' revenue?
Sherwin-Williams reported consolidated net sales of $23.7 billion for FY2025, an increase from $23.1 billion in FY2024. Diluted net income per share was $11.13 for FY2025. The Paint Stores Group generated $15.3 billion in net sales, the Consumer Brands Group generated $5.8 billion, and the Global Performance Group generated $2.7 billion.
How many Sherwin-Williams stores are there?
Sherwin-Williams operates approximately 4,900 company-owned paint stores across the United States, Canada, and other markets. This network is the largest company-owned paint retail operation in the world and is the primary distribution channel for the Sherwin-Williams branded product line. The company continues to open new stores in high-growth markets.
- Founded: 1866
- Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: SHW
- Revenue: $23.7B (FY2025)
- Employees: ~64,000
Where Is Krylon Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States
Krylon Categories & Tags
Krylon Sustainability & Ethics
Aerosol products face inherent environmental questions around propellants and VOCs. Krylon operates under Sherwin-Williams' sustainability commitments including VOC-reduced formulations compliant with California's CARB standards, among the strictest in the industry.
Krylon's aerosol cans use non-ozone-depleting propellants, standard for the industry since CFC bans. The brand holds no independent sustainability certification.
Krylon Recalls & Controversies
Krylon's association with graffiti and vandalism has been a long-standing reputational complication, though the brand is sold for legitimate DIY and professional use and is no more implicated than competing spray paints. Some retailers restrict sales of spray paint to minors in jurisdictions with anti-graffiti ordinances, a category-wide compliance matter.
The brand has had occasional product recalls for can pressure or nozzle defects, consistent with aerosol product norms, but no major safety controversies.
Brands Owned by The Sherwin-Williams Company
Household Consumer GoodsCabot
Owned by The Sherwin-Williams Company
Premium exterior wood stain brand founded in 1877, acquired by Sherwin-Williams through the 2017 Valspar merger.
wood-stainexterior-staindeck-stain
Household Consumer GoodsDutch Boy
Owned by The Sherwin-Williams Company
Consumer paint brand founded in 1907, owned by Sherwin-Williams and sold primarily through Walmart, Menards, and independent retailers.
painthome-improvementconsumer-goods
Household Consumer GoodsMinwax
Owned by The Sherwin-Williams Company
Wood finishing brand founded in 1904, owned by Sherwin-Williams and the leading consumer wood stain brand in North America.
wood-stainwood-finishinghome-improvement
Household Consumer GoodsSherwin-Williams
Owned by The Sherwin-Williams Company
Flagship paint and coatings brand of The Sherwin-Williams Company, founded in 1866 and sold through approximately 4,900 company-operated stores.
paintcoatingshome-improvement
Household Consumer GoodsValspar
Owned by The Sherwin-Williams Company
Premium paint brand founded in 1806, acquired by Sherwin-Williams in 2017 and sold primarily through Lowe's and independent retailers.
paintcoatingshome-improvement
Krylon Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Category-creating brand synonymous with spray paint
- +Distribution across more retail channels than liquid paint brands
- +Fusion for Plastic and specialty lines add premium differentiation
- +Benefits from Sherwin-Williams aerosol manufacturing scale
- +Craft and maker segment keeps brand culturally relevant
Considerations
- -Duopoly competition with Rust-Oleum is direct and entrenched
- -Aerosol category under environmental and regulatory pressure
- -Association with graffiti creates reputational complications
- -Mature category with limited growth in unit volume
- -Value pricing limits margin potential
Frequently Asked Questions About Krylon
Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Krylon
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joann Inc | USA | 1943 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Home Depot | USA | 1978 | Market leader | United states | All-consumers | |
| Sherwin Williams | USA | 1907 | Mass market | United states | All Genders | |
| Sherwin Williams | USA | 1904 | Market leader | United states | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Retail EcommerceJoann
Owned by Joann Inc.
American fabric and craft supplies retailer offering sewing, quilting, and DIY materials and supplies.
fabriccraftssewing
Retail EcommerceThe Home Depot
Owned by The Home Depot Inc.
The flagship big-box home improvement retail brand of The Home Depot Inc., founded in 1978 and operating about 2,350 orange-box warehouse stores across North America.
home-improvementretailbig-box
Household Consumer GoodsDutch Boy
Owned by The Sherwin-Williams Company
Consumer paint brand founded in 1907, owned by Sherwin-Williams and sold primarily through Walmart, Menards, and independent retailers.
painthome-improvementconsumer-goods
Household Consumer GoodsMinwax
Owned by The Sherwin-Williams Company
Wood finishing brand founded in 1904, owned by Sherwin-Williams and the leading consumer wood stain brand in North America.
wood-stainwood-finishinghome-improvement
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Krylon competes with 4 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Independent Alternatives to Krylon
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by The Sherwin-Williams Company, giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Household Consumer GoodsBetter Homes & Gardens
Owned by Dotdash Meredith (IAC)
Licensed home goods brand available exclusively at Walmart, offering stylish furniture, decor, kitchenware, and garden products inspired by the iconic lifestyle magazine.
home-decorfurniturekitchenware
Privately Owned
Better Homes & Gardens is privately owned, unlike Krylon which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Household Consumer GoodsKraftMaid
Owned by Cabinetworks Group
American semi-custom cabinetry brand owned by Cabinetworks Group, offering kitchen and bathroom cabinets through dealers and home centers.
cabinetrykitchen-cabinetsbathroom-cabinets
Privately Owned
KraftMaid is privately owned, unlike Krylon which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Household Consumer GoodsThe Pioneer Woman
Owned by Ree Drummond
Licensed kitchenware and home decor brand created by Ree Drummond, featuring rustic-inspired products available exclusively at Walmart.
kitchenwarehome-decorlicensed-brand
Privately Owned
The Pioneer Woman is privately owned, unlike Krylon which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Household Consumer GoodsTupperware
Owned by Party Products LLC
American brand of plastic food storage containers founded in 1946 by Earl Tupper, known for the airtight "burping" seal and the Tupperware party direct selling model. Now owned by Party Products LLC after the 2024 bankruptcy of Tupperware Brands Corporation.
food-storageplastic-containersdirect-selling
Privately Owned
Tupperware is privately owned, unlike Krylon which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Household Consumer GoodsWindex
Owned by S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
American brand of glass and surface cleaning products, known for its distinctive blue color and streak-free cleaning performance. Owned by S.C. Johnson & Son.
glass-cleanercleaninghousehold
Privately Owned
Windex is privately owned, unlike Krylon which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Household Consumer GoodsZiploc
Owned by S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
American brand of resealable zipper storage bags and containers developed by Dow Chemical in 1968, now owned by S.C. Johnson and Son, Inc. since 1998. Dominates the US zipper food storage bag market by sales volume and share.
storage-bagsfood-storagezipper-bags
Privately Owned
Ziploc is privately owned, unlike Krylon which is under a publicly traded parent company.
The Sherwin-Williams Company Stock Information
Jobs at The Sherwin-Williams Company
Latest News About Krylon
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