Who Owns Sherwin-Williams?
Sherwin-Williams is the flagship paint and coatings brand of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW). Founded in Cleveland in 1866 by Henry Sherwin and Edward Williams, the brand is sold primarily through approximately 4,900 company-operated stores in North America. It is the best-selling architectural paint brand in the United States among professionals.
Parent Company
Founded
1866
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Who Owns Sherwin-Williams?
- Parent Company: The Sherwin-Williams Company
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: SHW
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams | The Sherwin-Williams Company | Wholly owned |
Where to Buy
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Sherwin-Williams on AmazonHistory of Sherwin-Williams
- Founded: 1866
- Founders: Henry Sherwin, Edward Williams
Henry Sherwin and Edward Williams founded Sherwin-Williams & Co. in Cleveland in 1866, initially as a partnership distributing pigments and then manufacturing paints. The company pioneered ready-mixed paint in cans, receiving a patent for the process in 1880 and making paint a consumer product rather than a trade-mixed material.
The "Cover the Earth" logo, showing paint being poured over a globe, was adopted in 1893 and remains in use. Sherwin-Williams expanded through the twentieth century into a vertically integrated manufacturer-retailer, opening company stores rather than relying on independent dealers, a model competitors including PPG and Benjamin Moore did not replicate at scale.
The company grew through acquisition, adding Martin-Senour, Pratt & Lambert (1995), Minwax (1995), Thompson's WaterSeal, Krylon (1990), Dutch Boy (1980), Cabot (through Valspar), and the transformative Valspar acquisition in 2017 for approximately $11.3 billion, which made it the world's largest paint company.
The flagship Sherwin-Williams brand remains the company's core architectural paint line, spanning interior and exterior paints under sub-lines including Emerald, Duration, Cashmere, and SuperPaint, alongside stains, primers, and painting supplies sold through the store network.
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 Sherwin-Williams Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, China
Sherwin-Williams Categories & Tags
Sherwin-Williams Sustainability & Ethics
The brand operates under The Sherwin-Williams Company's sustainability program, which includes commitments to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity and expand low-VOC and zero-VOC formulations across product lines. Emerald and Harmony lines are marketed around low emissions and indoor air quality.
The company discloses progress in its annual sustainability report. Sherwin-Williams does not hold B Corp certification, and its "Cover the Earth" logo has periodically drawn criticism as incongruous with environmental messaging.
Sherwin-Williams Recalls & Controversies
The company's most significant legacy issue is lead paint litigation. Sherwin-Williams and other manufacturers faced decades of lawsuits over lead-based pigment sold before its 1978 ban; a 2018 California settlement required Sherwin-Williams, ConAgra, and NL Industries to pay approximately $305 million for lead abatement in ten counties. The company continues to face occasional lead-paint claims.
In 2020, Sherwin-Williams faced scrutiny over worker conditions and layoffs, and periodic EPA enforcement actions have addressed VOC compliance at plants.
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 GoodsKrylon
Owned by The Sherwin-Williams Company
Aerosol spray paint brand founded in 1947, owned by Sherwin-Williams and the market leader in consumer spray paint.
spray-paintaerosoldiy
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 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
Sherwin-Williams Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Vertical integration: brand, manufacturing, and retail all under one company
- +4,900-store network provides unmatched professional reach
- +Premium pricing sustained by contractor loyalty
- +R&D resources of the world's largest paint company
- +Emerald and Duration lines command premium margins
Considerations
- -Store channel model limits availability versus Home Depot/Lowe's brands
- -Lead paint litigation legacy remains a financial and reputational factor
- -Premium pricing loses DIY price shoppers to Behr and Valspar
- -Contractor demand tied to housing and renovation cycles
- -Brand concentration on paint limits diversification
Frequently Asked Questions About Sherwin-Williams
Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Sherwin-Williams
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masco | USA | 1947 | Premium | United states | All-ages | |
| Sherwin Williams | USA | 1806 | Premium | United states | All Genders | |
| Sherwin Williams | USA | 1907 | Mass market | United states | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Household Consumer GoodsBehr
Owned by Masco Corporation
American premium interior and exterior paint and coatings brand owned by Masco Corporation.
paintcoatingsinterior-paint
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
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
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Sherwin-Williams competes with 3 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 Sherwin-Williams
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 GoodsEcolab
Owned by Ecolab Inc.
Flagship water, hygiene, and infection prevention brand of Ecolab Inc., serving institutional customers across food service, healthcare, and hospitality in more than 170 countries.
cleaningsanitationhygiene
Publicly Traded
Ecolab operates independently without a large parent corporation.
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 Sherwin-Williams 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 Sherwin-Williams which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Household Consumer GoodsSanino
Owned by Evyap
Turkish personal care brand owned by Evyap, known primarily for toothpaste and oral care products sold in Ukraine and Eastern European markets.
toothpasteoral-carepersonal-care
Privately Owned
Sanino is privately owned, unlike Sherwin-Williams which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Household Consumer GoodsSolo
Owned by Dart Container Corporation
American disposable cups and food service products brand, owned by Dart Container Corporation since 2012.
disposable-cupsfood-servicetableware
Privately Owned
Solo is privately owned, unlike Sherwin-Williams 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 Sherwin-Williams which is under a publicly traded parent company.
The Sherwin-Williams Company Stock Information
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