The Wooster Brush Company

What The Wooster Brush Company does

The Wooster Brush Company, founded in 1851 in Wooster, Ohio, is a US-based, privately held manufacturer of paint applicators and related tools. The company employs 501-1000 people and operates from a single headquarters and manufacturing facility at 604 Madison Avenue, Wooster, Ohio — the same site the company has occupied since 1909. Its product portfolio spans paintbrushes (economy to professional grades under brands such as Softip, Ultra/Pro, Alpha, Chinex FTP, GripTech, Silver Tip, Gold Edge, Pro Classic, Shortcut, and Yachtsman), roller covers (Pro/Doo-Z, Super/Fab, Cirrus, Microfiber, Mohair Blend, Wooster Wool, Pro Tiz, American Contractor, Golden Flo, and others), roller frames (Sherlock, Shergrip, Magikage, Wide Boy, Big Ben, Jumbo-Koter), buckets and trays, painting kits, surface preparation tools, extension poles, and the Painter's Backpack. The company differentiates through proprietary material technologies including FOSS-SET bristle-bonding cement (a trade secret since 1926), Pro/Doo-Z FTP woven fabrics, Micro-Tip filament blends, Fiberlock microfiber locking, GripTech rubberized handles, and NylonPlus filaments for hot/humid conditions. Wooster's customers are split between professional painters/contractors and DIY consumers; the company does not sell directly but distributes through five major North American retail channels — Home Depot, PPG Paints, ACE Hardware, True Value, and Do It Best — plus regional hardware and independent paint retailers. The company generates revenue from one-time unit-priced sales of physical paint applicators and accessories, with pricing not publicly disclosed and varying by retailer and product line. There is no public listing, no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no documented private equity or institutional ownership; the firm appears to remain family- or locally-controlled after more than 170 years of continuous operation.

Name

The Wooster Brush Company

Legal name

The Wooster Brush Company

Website

https://woosterbrush.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1851

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Wooster Brush Company, founded in 1851 and headquartered in Wooster, Ohio, is a privately held US manufacturer of professional and consumer paint applicators — including brushes, roller covers, frames, buckets, kits, and surface preparation tools — distributed through major North American retailers such as Home Depot, PPG Paints, ACE Hardware, True Value, and Do It Best.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Paint Applicators and Painting Tools

NAICS

Broom, Brush, and Mop Manufacturing (339994)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)

akta.pro primary industry

Paint, Stain & Finishes Retail (Coatings, Sundries) (CRAIADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Crafting Tools & Equipment Retail (Cutting, Adhesives, Heat Tools) (CRALACAC), Arts, Crafts & DIY Hobby Supplies Distribution (CRAOAMAE)

Keywords

• Paint applicator manufacturing
• Professional paintbrushes
• Roller covers frames
• Painting tools accessories
• Surface prep equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Wooster

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Paint Applicator Sales: Manufacturing and selling of professional-grade paint brushes, roller covers, frames, buckets, trays, and accessories through retail distribution channels. Products sold as one-time purchases with wide price points across consumer and professional segments.
2. Product Catalog Sales: Physical and digital product catalogs with comprehensive product lines available for professional painters, contractors, and consumers

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Wooster Brush Company manufactures and sells a complete ecosystem of paint applicators and tools, including paintbrushes, roller covers, roller frames, paint buckets and trays, painting kits, extension poles, surface prep tools, and mobile storage accessories. The product range spans economy to professional-grade tiers, with proprietary filament, fabric, and handle technologies tailored to professional painters, contractors, and DIY consumers. Products are sold primarily through major North American retail chains and the company's website.

Product overview

The Wooster Brush Company is a manufacturer of paint applicators and tools founded in 1851, headquartered in Wooster, Ohio. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of paint brushes, rollers, roller frames, buckets and trays, kits, tools and accessories, and extension poles. Brush products range from economy options like Softip® and Craft & Hobby brushes to professional-grade lines including GripTech™, Alpha®, Chinex® FTP®, Ultra/Pro® (Soft, Firm, and Extra-Firm variants), Gold Edge®, Silver Tip®, Super/Pro™, Pro Classic®, Bravo Stainer™, and Yachtsman®, each designed for specific finishing requirements. Roller offerings include Pro/Doo-Z® FTP®, Super/Fab® FTP®, Cirrus X™, Micro Plush™, Microfiber, Mohair Blend™, Wooster Wool™, Lambswool 100™, 50/50™, Pro Tiz™, American Contractor®, Super Doo-Z®, and Golden Flo™ lines, available in various nap depths and fabrics for different surface types. Roller frames include Shergrip®, Sherlock®, Magikage®, and Big Ben® lines with specialized designs for different applications. Accessories include the Painter's Backpack for mobile storage, LockJaw tool holders, Surface Prep tools, and Sherlock GT® and Sherlock® extension poles. Products are organized across multiple quality tiers from economy to professional, with specialty lines for specific applications like staining, marine finishing, and textured surfaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GripTech Paintbrush Line Paintbrush line with built-in rubberized GripTech grips and firm CT polyester filaments, designed for high production, enhanced control, and reduced painter fatigue for professional and DIY users.
• GripTech MAX Paintbrush Line Enhanced GripTech brush line with composite handle and rubberized grip providing maximum comfort and control for professional and DIY painters.
• Hook & Hold Paintbrush Paintbrush with a built-in swivel hook for hanging on paint cans, trays, or buckets, featuring a soft polyester blend for convenient use by professional and DIY painters.
• FLEX & FIT Paintbrushes Soft-grip paintbrush line with flexible handle designed to flex for comfort and fit any project, available in soft polyester blend and soft synthetic white China bristle options.
• Alpha Paintbrush Line High-production paintbrush line using Wooster's proprietary firm filament blend with Micro-Tip technology, enabling paint to be carried farthest and held longer for better release, targeted at professional high-production painters.
• Chinex FTP Paintbrush Line Most durable Wooster brush with extra-firm 100% Chinex filaments offering excellent cleanability, ideal for fast-drying and low-VOC coatings in professional applications.
• Ultra/Pro Soft Paintbrush Line Smooth finish brush with soft blend of 100% nylon filament, providing durable and easy-to-clean performance for fine finishes, especially in low-humidity and cooler temperatures.
• Ultra/Pro Firm Paintbrush Line All-purpose professional brush with a firm mix of nylon and polyester filaments, trusted by professional painters for over 35 years for control and time-tested durability in indoor and outdoor applications.
• Ultra/Pro Extra-Firm Paintbrush Line Maximum control brush with extra-firm blend of Wooster-exclusive NylonPlus and nylon filaments, maintaining control even in hot and humid conditions for easier cuts and sharp lines.
• Gold Edge Paintbrush Line High production brush with a firm blend of 100% CT polyester filaments that easily applies thicker-bodied coatings and delivers a smooth finish with excellent coverage and cut-in control.
• Silver Tip Paintbrush Line Smoothest finish brush with soft blend of 100% CT polyester filaments that virtually eliminates brush marks and provides ultra-thin filament for excellent leveling.
• Super/Pro Paintbrush Line All-purpose professional brush with firm blend of nylon and polyester filaments, providing pro performance, production, and control in all climates indoors and outdoors.
• Production Painter Brush Line Fast coverage brush designed for quick painting and quick cleanup in production painting applications.
• Pro Classic Black Paintbrush Line Professional brush with firm blend of black China bristle for oil-based paints, stains, and exterior applications, providing coverage and durability for rough surfaces.
• Pro Classic White Paintbrush Line Smooth finish brush with soft blend of white China bristle for oil-based paints, stains, polyurethanes, varnishes, and interior applications.
• Bravo Stainer Brush Line Ultimate production brush for oil-based stains, sealers, and wood toners on flooring, decks, and fencing, available in bristle or bristle/polyester blends with threaded extension pole capability.
• Yachtsman Paintbrush Line Smooth finish brush with synthetic white China bristle for oil-based stains, sealers, polyurethanes, and varnishes in marine and fine finishing applications.
• Shortcut Paintbrush Line Compact paintbrush with soft, flexible Shergrip handle that adds control and reduces fatigue, ideal for small, narrow spaces and trim work.
• Craft & Hobby Brushes Small brushes designed for craft and hobby projects, suitable for all paints, varnishes, paste, and glue applications, targeted at DIY and craft users.
• Softip Paintbrush Line Economy-priced brush with soft polyester filaments for smooth, even finish at accessible price points for DIY consumers.
• Amber Fong Paintbrush Line Fine finish brush with soft blend of brown China bristle for oil-based enamels, varnishes, and stains.
• Pro/Doo-Z FTP Roller Covers Professional shed-resistant roller with Wooster's proprietary FTP woven fabric providing controlled paint release and improved application, suitable for all paints, enamels, primers, urethanes, and epoxies.
• Pro/Doo-Z Roller Covers Highly versatile shed-resistant roller for most applications, providing smooth finish across various surface types.
• Super/Fab FTP Roller Covers High production shed-resistant roller with proprietary FTP knit fabric for fast results in flat, eggshell, and satin paints.
• Super/Fab Roller Covers High production roller with proprietary knit fabric for fast coverage in flat or satin paints, stains, and waterproofing applications.
• Cirrus X Roller Covers Most durable roller for textured surfaces using woven European polyamide fabric, ideal for stucco, masonry coatings, flat, eggshell, and satin paints and stains.
• Cirrus Roller Covers Durable roller for textured surfaces including walls, stucco, and masonry with all flat paints and stains.
• Micro Plush Roller Covers Shed-resistant microfiber roller providing spray-like results for all paints and enamels.
• Microfiber Roller Covers Improved woven microfiber roller covers that hold more paint with advanced shed-resistance and reduced spatter, featuring Wooster's Fiberlock technology for finer finishes.
• Mohair Blend Roller Covers Smooth finish roller with mohair and polyester blend for protective coatings including enamels, varnishes, urethanes, epoxies, and floor coatings, with a polypropylene core that resists water, solvents, and cracking.
• Candy Stripe Roller Covers 100% mohair roller for smooth results with all paints, enamels, urethanes, and epoxies on metal and wood surfaces.
• Wooster Wool Roller Covers Maximum durability hand-sewn lambskin roller for repeat use with all paints including latex, alkyds, enamels, and urethanes, providing smooth, even application.
• Lambswool 100 Roller Covers 100% natural lambswool knitted fabric roller for repeat use in low-sheen or exterior staining applications with flat, eggshell, satin paints, stains, and waterproofing.
• 50/50 Roller Covers Resilient shed-resistant roller with wool and polyester fiber blend for repeated use, featuring increased paint carrying capacity and reduced matting.
• Pro Tiz Foam Roller Covers Guaranteed lint-free foam roller for all paints, enamels, and varnishes.
• American Contractor Roller Covers Fast results roller with exclusive shed-resistant knit fabric that increases paint pick-up and release speed for efficient application.
• Super Doo-Z Roller Covers Value-priced shed-resistant woven roller with dense fibers that reduce dripping and spatter for all paints, enamels, varnishes, satin, semigloss, and gloss finishes.
• Golden Flo Roller Covers Fast coverage knit fabric roller that resists matting for flat, eggshell paints, stains, and waterproofing applications.
• Jumbo-Koter Mini Roller System Mini roller system for corners and tight spaces, available in various nap depths and surface types for precision painting applications.
• Mini-Koter Roller Covers Mini roller designed for use with rod-style frames, providing compact coverage for detailed work and tight areas.
• Shergrip Roller Frames Premium roller frame with ergonomic soft-grip design for standard 5-wire and mini-jumbo cage frames, combining premium performance with premium aesthetics.
• Sherlock Roller Frame Professional roller frame featuring retaining spring to lock the roller in place and prevent slipping, with smooth rolling bearings and heavy-duty construction for hands-free release, the number one choice for professional painters.
• Magikage 90 Angled Roller Frame Angled roller frame designed for reaching difficult areas and providing enhanced control during painting.
• Sherlock Wide Boy Hulk Frame Heavy-duty wide roller frame combining the Sherlock locking mechanism with extended width for covering larger surface areas efficiently.
• Wide Boy Roller Frame Wide-format roller frame designed for covering large surface areas efficiently with enhanced stability.
• Big Ben Roller Frame Large capacity roller frame designed to work with Big Ben trays for professional-grade coverage of large surfaces.
• Sherlock Mini PRO Frame Compact professional mini roller frame with Sherlock locking technology for detailed and precision painting work.
• Jumbo-Koter Pipe Painter Frame Specialized roller frame designed for painting pipes and cylindrical surfaces efficiently.
• Jumbo-Koter Flip Frame Innovative flip frame design for jumbo mini rollers allowing quick direction changes during painting.
• Wide Boy Bucket Wide-mouth paint bucket designed for efficient roller loading and reduced spatter during painting.
• Big Ben Tray Large capacity paint tray designed for professional use with big frames and extended painting sessions.
• Bucket-Tray System Combination bucket and tray system for integrated paint holding and application.
• 4-Gallon Bucket Large capacity paint bucket for extended painting projects without frequent refills.
• Deep-Well Tray Paint tray with deep reservoir for holding more paint and reducing refill frequency.
• Pelican Paint Container Multi-functional paint container and carrier system for transporting paint and tools.
• Speed Bucket Quick-fill paint bucket designed for rapid paint transfer and reduced downtime.
• Snap Screen Paint grid screen for roller cleaning and paint loading efficiency.
• Painting Kits Curated combinations of brushes, rollers, and accessories packaged together for specific painting applications and project types, including contractor kits, jumbo-koter kits, and professional finishing kits.
• Painter's Backpack Mobile storage solution designed for professionals with multiple brush pockets and zippered compartments, rugged backpack design for easy transportation of painting tools to job sites.
• Prep Tools (Scrapers, Putty Knives, Painter's Multi-Tool) Line of high-quality scrapers, putty knives, and painter's multi-tool designed to help prepare surfaces for painting projects.
• LockJaw Tool Holder Tool holder accessory for attaching brushes and other tools to extension poles for extended reach painting.
• Sherlock GT Extension Poles Extension poles with GripTech technology combining Sherlock frame reliability with enhanced gripping for extended reach painting.
• Sherlock Extension Poles Professional extension poles with Sherlock locking mechanism for secure tool attachment during overhead and extended reach painting.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Home DepotcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor national home improvement retail partner for Wooster paint applicator products. Products available in-store and online through Home Depot platform with store locator functionality on Wooster website.
• PPG PaintscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic paint specialty retailer partner offering Wooster professional-grade products alongside PPG paint products. Featured on Wooster website retailer locator.
• ACE HardwarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional hardware cooperative partner with local store presence across North America. Products available through ACE Hardware stores and online search functionality.
• True ValuemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHardware retailer chain partner for Wooster paint applicator distribution. Products searchable through True Value online catalog.
• Do It BestmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHardware and building materials retailer cooperative distribution partner for Wooster products. Products available through Do It Best member stores.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Purdy: Purdy is the most direct competitor to Wooster in professional paint brushes and roller covers. Owned by Sherwin-Williams, Purdy targets the same professional painter and DIY consumer segments with comparable premium applicators and overlapping retail distribution through Home Depot and paint specialty retailers.
• Corona Brushes: Corona Brushes manufactures paint brushes, artist's brushes, and related applicators that compete directly with Wooster's professional and hobby brush lines. The company's overlapping products cover painting, staining, and finishing applications sold through hardware and craft retail channels in North America.
• Linzer Products: Linzer Products manufactures paint applicators including brushes, roller covers, frames, and accessories that overlap with Wooster's core catalog. Both companies serve the professional and DIY painting markets through hardware and home improvement retailers with similar product positioning.
• Shur-Line: Shur-Line is a paint applicator brand owned by Newell Brands specializing in roller covers, paint edgers, and DIY-friendly applicators. Shur-Line competes directly with Wooster in the consumer/DIY segment through mass-market retail distribution including Walmart, Target, and home improvement channels.
• Magnolia Brush: Magnolia Brush manufactures industrial and commercial brushes used in cleaning, maintenance, and surface preparation. While more industrial-focused, the company's brush manufacturing capabilities and material expertise (bristle, filament) overlap with Wooster's core technology stack and surface-prep tools expansion.
• Allway Tools: Allway Tools manufactures painting and surface preparation tools including scrapers, putty knives, and applicator accessories. The company's product range directly overlaps with Wooster's 2024 Prep Tools launch and competes for the same contractor and DIY retail shelf placement.

Broad incumbents

• Sherwin-Williams: Sherwin-Williams is the largest US paint manufacturer and owns Purdy, a direct Wooster competitor. While primarily a coatings company, Sherwin-Williams sells paint applicators alongside its paints and competes with Wooster both as a paint retailer and through its Purdy subsidiary.
• Newell Brands: Newell Brands is a diversified consumer goods conglomerate that owns Shur-Line and other DIY/home improvement brands. While broader than paint applicators specifically, Newell's portfolio competes with Wooster for retail shelf placement in painting tools and adjacent DIY categories.
• Stanley Black & Decker: Stanley Black & Decker is a global tools and hardware conglomerate with brands including DeWalt, Stanley, and Black & Decker. While primarily focused on power tools and storage, the company sells surface preparation tools and accessories that overlap with Wooster's expanding prep tools category.
• 3M: 3M is a diversified industrial and consumer products company whose abrasives, surface preparation, and masking tape products are sold alongside paint applicators at major retailers. While not a direct brush competitor, 3M competes for adjacent shelf space and contractor relationships across the painting workflow.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WoosterBrush
• Facebookfacebook.com/WoosterBrush
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-wooster-brush-company
• Instagraminstagram.com/woosterbrushcompany
• Xx.com/woosterbrush

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Wooster Brush Company