Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin-Williams manufactures and distributes paints, coatings, and related products globally through nearly 4,900 company-owned stores and direct industrial sales channels, serving homeowners, professional contractors, and industrial customers across more than 120 countries.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1866
- HeadquartersCleveland, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sherwin-Williams does
Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE: SHW) is a Cleveland-headquartered, publicly traded paints and coatings manufacturer founded in 1866. The company develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells architectural paints, industrial coatings, and related products across consumer, professional contractor, and industrial end markets in over 120 countries. Its product portfolio spans premium interior and exterior architectural paints (Emerald, Duration Home), stains and sealers (WoodScapes, SuperDeck, Minwax), and a large industrial coatings offering organized into Protective & Marine, Automotive Finishes, General Industrial, Industrial Wood, Coil & Extrusion, Aerospace, Packaging, and High Performance Flooring lines. Proprietary technologies include the OneCure dust-on-dust powder coating system, MIL-Spec defense coatings co-developed with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, AI-enabled color tools (Color Expert App, ColorSnap Precision, SherMatch+), and the Collision Core Pronto XL automated paint dispenser.
Sherwin-Williams generates revenue through a hybrid go-to-market model: nearly 4,900 company-owned retail stores and an e-commerce storefront serve homeowners and DIY consumers directly and through the free PaintPerks loyalty program; the PRO+ program delivers volume discounts, QuickBooks integration, and color tools to professional painters and contractors; and dedicated field sales teams serve specification-driven industrial, infrastructure, oil and gas, marine, aerospace, and U.S. Department of Defense accounts via direct sales. Brand portfolio assets include Valspar, Minwax, Purdy, Krylon, Thompson's WaterSeal, Cabot, Dutch Boy, Dupli-Color, House of Kolor, and the recently acquired Suvinil (Brazil). Customers span general consumers, residential and commercial contractors, automotive OEMs and refinishers (Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, Mercedes), John Deere (over 35 OEM locations), General Motors, and U.S. defense agencies.
In FY2025, Sherwin-Williams reported revenue of approximately $23.6 billion (up 2% YoY), net income of $2.6 billion at a 10.9% net margin, and $2.7 billion of positive free cash flow, with 47 consecutive years of dividend increases. The company has pursued an active M&A and capacity expansion strategy, completing the Suvinil acquisition (Feb 2025, $1.15B), expanding Bowling Green coil coatings capacity by 60% (April 2026), launching the OneCure powder coating portfolio (June 2026), entering a long-term manufacturing partnership with Do it Best (June 2026), and submitting — before withdrawal — a joint €12.5 billion proposal with Nippon Paint to acquire AkzoNobel in April 2026.
Sherwin-Williams firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sherwin-Williams
- Legal name
- The Sherwin-Williams Company
- Website
- https://sherwin-williams.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1866
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Sherwin-Williams manufactures and distributes paints, coatings, and related products globally through nearly 4,900 company-owned stores and direct industrial sales channels, serving homeowners, professional contractors, and industrial customers across more than 120 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sherwin-Williams industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Paints and Coatings
- NAICS
- Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510), Paint and Wallpaper Retailers (444120)
- SIC
- Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial & Protective Coatings (IMAEAGAB)
Keywords
Where Sherwin-Williams is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cleveland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Sherwin-Williams business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Architectural Paint Sales: Sale of paints, stains, and coatings through company-owned retail stores and e-commerce channels to homeowners, contractors, and professional painters for residential and commercial applications.
- Industrial Coatings: High-performance coatings for aerospace, automotive, marine, protective, general industrial, industrial wood, coil and extrusion, packaging, and floor coatings sold directly to manufacturers and applicators.
- Brand Portfolio: Revenue from owned brands including Valspar, Minwax, Purdy, Krylon, Thompson's WaterSeal, Cabot, Dutch Boy, and Dupli-Color through retail and professional channels.
- Military/Government Coatings: High-performance, MIL-Spec-approved coatings supplied to U.S. Department of Defense for military platforms including aircraft carriers, submarines, armored vehicles, and aircraft.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | PaintPerks membership for homeowners |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | PRO+ program for professional painters |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Emerald premium interior paint |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Sherwin-Williams product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sherwin-Williams develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells paints, stains, coatings, and related products through a network of nearly 4,900 company-owned retail stores, e-commerce, and direct field sales channels. Its portfolio spans architectural paints for homeowners and contractors under brands including Sherwin-Williams, Valspar, Minwax, Krylon, and Dutch Boy, alongside high-performance industrial coatings serving automotive, aerospace, marine, packaging, coil and extrusion, protective, and general industrial end markets.
Product overview
Sherwin-Williams is a global paints and coatings company offering a comprehensive portfolio spanning consumer paints, professional contractor products, and industrial coatings. The consumer offerings include premium interior paints (Emerald, Duration Home), exterior paints, primers, wood stains (WoodScapes, SuperDeck), concrete & masonry products, and aerosols. The company operates well-known sub-brands including Valspar, Minwax, Krylon, Purdy, Thompson's WaterSeal, Cabot, Dutch Boy, Dupli-color, and House of Kolor. Professional offerings are supported by the PRO+ program with QuickBooks integration and PaintPerks loyalty program. Industrial coatings serve diverse sectors including Protective & Marine, Automotive Finishes, General Industrial, Industrial Wood, Coil & Extrusion, Aerospace, Packaging, and High Performance Flooring. Recent innovations include Emerald Symmetry (zero-VOC plant-based paint), Forte Urethanized Acrylic, OneCure powder coating technology, and Collision Core Pronto XL automated paint dispenser. AI-powered tools include the Color Expert App for personalized color recommendations and ColorSnap Precision for professional color matching.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Valspar: Paint and coatings brand for consumer and professional use
- Minwax
- Purdy
- Krylon
- Thompson's WaterSeal
- Cabot
- Dutch Boy
- Dupli-Color
- House of Kolor
- Suvinil
- Emerald
- WoodScapes
- SuperDeck
- PRO+
- ColorSnap
Products and services
- Emerald Interior Acrylic Latex Paint Premium interior paint from the top-tier Emerald line offering excellent coverage and durability for professional and homeowner use across residential interiors.
- Emerald Symmetry Interior Acrylic
Quantifiable outcome
- Delivered fourteenth quarter of year-over-year gross margin expansion in last fifteen quarters
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Sherwin-Williams
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Sherwin-Williams technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability4 records
Feature6 records
Sherwin-Williams partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Do it BestcoreLong-term manufacturing partnership where Sherwin-Williams will produce EasyCare and Best Look paints while Do it Best retains brand ownership and quality standards. The partnership includes assumption of a paint manufacturing facility lease in Cary, Illinois, allowing Do it Best to expand its paint program while maintaining quality control through Sherwin-Williams' manufacturing capabilities.
- LeBron James Family FoundationminorPartnership for 'Loneliest Color 2026' campaign featuring Offbeat Green SW 7606. The color will be used on a home education center being built in Akron, Ohio through the PROMISE Project, supporting first-time homebuyers with education, resources, and color-inspired spaces designed to build confidence.
- ITS LogisticscoreStrategic partnership to improve transport capacity from Sherwin-Williams' Nevada distribution center, aiming to move paint and coatings products more efficiently during peak demand periods in U.S. construction and home-improvement market. The collaboration helped Sherwin-Williams move 11% more outbound freight during last year's peak season, targeting greater supply chain resilience and more consistent service levels for retailers.
- Nippon Paint GroupminorJoint proposal submitted to acquire AkzoNobel, with Nippon Paint targeting Decorative Paints and Industrial Coatings businesses and Sherwin-Williams targeting Marine & Protective Coatings, Automotive & Specialty Coatings and Powder Coatings. The proposal was rejected by AkzoNobel's Boards following an earlier offer on April 16, 2026, with AkzoNobel instead pursuing its existing merger agreement with Axalta. Both companies are considering their next steps.
- John DeerecoreSherwin-Williams supplies coatings to over 35 John Deere OEM locations globally. Recognized as 'Partner-level supplier' for 2025 (Deere & Company's highest supplier rating) and named 'John Deere Indirect Global Supplier of the Year' in the Achieving Excellence Program. Suppliers are evaluated annually in key categories including quality, delivery, process alignment, value creation, and relationship under a program John Deere Supply Management created in 1991.
- Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One TeamminorNew partnership driven by technical innovation and next-level performance. The partnership positions Sherwin-Williams as an innovative coatings partner in the high-performance automotive racing sector.
- U.S. Department of DefensecoreSherwin-Williams Protective & Marine has partnered with the U.S. Department of Defense to supply high-performance, MIL-Spec-approved coatings for military platforms including aircraft carriers, submarines, armored vehicles, and aircraft. The company has over two decades of collaboration with Naval Sea Systems Command, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, naval shipyards, and contractors, providing corrosion-resistant technologies, technical service support, and global distribution.
- Naval Research Laboratory / Naval Surface Warfare CenterscoreInnovations developed with the Naval Research Lab and Naval Surface Warfare Centers, including single-coat rapid-cure ballast tank coatings and copper-free antifoulants, supported by just-in-time delivery to naval shipyards within 24-48 hours.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Sherwin-Williams competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Masco Corporation: Home improvement products manufacturer owning Behr Paint, Kilz, and KILZ primers, directly competing in architectural paint through The Home Depot channel; also owns plumbing and cabinetry businesses.
- RPM International: Specialty coatings and sealants company owning Rust-Oleum, DAP, and Stonhard. Competes in specialty consumer coatings, sealants, and protective coatings with overlapping distribution through home improvement and hardware channels.
- BASF Coatings: Division of BASF SE providing automotive OEM coatings, refinish, and industrial coatings globally. A major broad incumbent competitor with deep automotive OEM relationships that overlaps with Sherwin-Williams' Automotive Finishes and General Industrial segments.
Direct peers
- Benjamin Moore: Premium architectural paint manufacturer sold through independent retailers; a direct competitor in the North American DIY and professional contractor segments with strong brand equity.
- PPG Industries: Global paints and coatings manufacturer with comparable portfolio across architectural, industrial, automotive, aerospace, and protective coatings. PPG is the most direct competitor to Sherwin-Williams in North America and a direct rival in industrial and decorative segments.
- AkzoNobel: Owner of Dulux, Sikkens, and International Paint brands; competes directly with Sherwin-Williams in architectural decorative paints (especially Europe and Latin America) and industrial/marine coatings globally. Subject of Sherwin-Williams' rejected 2026 acquisition attempt.
- Nippon Paint Holdings: Asia's largest paint manufacturer with growing global decorative paints footprint; partnered with Sherwin-Williams on the rejected AkzoNobel bid and competes in architectural and automotive coatings internationally.
- Axalta Coating Systems: Specializes in automotive refinish and industrial coatings with strong positions in collision repair, light OEM, and powder coatings. Plans to merge with AkzoNobel, creating a more formidable rival to Sherwin-Williams in industrial coatings.
Regional players
- Hempel / Jotun: Norwegian coatings company with strong positions in marine, protective, and powder coatings across Europe, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. Direct competitor to Sherwin-Williams in marine and offshore protective coatings, especially in EMEA and APAC regions.
Emerging players
- Hempel A/S: Danish coatings company focused on marine, protective, and container coatings globally; competes with Sherwin-Williams' Protective & Marine division and has been expanding into decorative paints in select markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sherwin-Williams social profiles
Digital presenceSherwin-Williams financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sherwin-Williams leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Sherwin-Williams subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Sherwin-Williams funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sherwin-Williams M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A12 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sherwin-Williams
What does Sherwin-Williams do?
Sherwin-Williams develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells paints, stains, coatings, and related products through a network of nearly 4,900 company-owned retail stores, e-commerce, and direct field sales channels. Its portfolio spans architectural paints for homeowners and contractors under brands including Sherwin-Williams, Valspar, Minwax, Krylon, and Dutch Boy, alongside high-performance industrial coatings serving automotive, aerospace, marine, packaging, coil and extrusion, protective, and general industrial end markets.
Is Sherwin-Williams a public or private company?
Sherwin-Williams is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Sherwin-Williams founded?
Sherwin-Williams was founded in 1866. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Sherwin-Williams based?
Sherwin-Williams is headquartered in Cleveland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sherwin-Williams make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Architectural Paint Sales are the primary driver. The others are industrial Coatings, brand Portfolio and military/Government Coatings.
Who are Sherwin-Williams's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Masco Corporation, RPM International and BASF Coatings. Direct peers are Benjamin Moore, PPG Industries, AkzoNobel, Nippon Paint Holdings and Axalta Coating Systems. Hempel / Jotun is listed as a regional player. Hempel A/S is listed as an emerging player.
Does Sherwin-Williams have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sherwin-Williams.
What industry is Sherwin-Williams in?
Sherwin-Williams's product category is Paints and Coatings. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAGAB, Industrial & Protective Coatings. Its NAICS code is 325510 and its SIC code is 2851.