Benjamin Moore & Co. is an American manufacturer of paints, stains, and other architectural coatings. The company is headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, and has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway since December 2000.
History
The company was founded in 1883 by Benjamin Moore (1855–1917) and his brother Robert Moore as Moore Brothers in Brooklyn, New York. Benjamin Moore was born in Ballybay, County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1855 and immigrated to the United States in 1872 at age 17. The brothers started the business with approximately $2,000 and a single product, "Moore's Prepared Calsom Finish," sold exclusively through independent retailers. After a fire destroyed the original building at 55 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn within the first year, the brothers relocated and resumed operations within three days.
In 1889, the company was incorporated as Benjamin Moore & Co. in New York, and shortly thereafter a New Jersey corporation was organized. In 1892, the company introduced Muresco, a ready-mix white paint that became one of the most popular products of its era, available in 32 tints and colors. In 1907, Benjamin Moore hired its first chemist and established a research department. The company's Canadian subsidiary, Benjamin Moore & Co., Limited, was incorporated on September 7, 1906.
Benjamin Moore stepped down from leadership in 1917 at age 62, naming his nephew L.P. Moore as his successor. The company's "Triangle M" logo, representing the three core values of Integrity, Intelligence, and Industry, was developed in 1925 by L.P. Moore.
Product Innovations
The company introduced several industry firsts over its history. In 1957, Regal Wall Satin Latex Interior Paint was introduced, catering to the growing do-it-yourself market. In 1972, Regal Aqua Velvet, a low-gloss latex paint with an eggshell finish, was launched as an industry first. In 1976, in collaboration with the National Park Service, Benjamin Moore created its Historic Colors Collection for the United States Bicentennial. In 1982, the company introduced Moore's Computer Color Matching System, another industry first, allowing retailers to match virtually any color by computer.
In 1959, the Moor-O-Matic Color System debuted, and in 1968, Benjamin Moore removed lead from its paint formulations, years ahead of federal regulations.
Acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway
In December 2000, Benjamin Moore & Co. was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway Inc., the holding company led by Warren Buffett, in a deal worth approximately $1 billion. The company continues to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary.
Operations and Distribution
Benjamin Moore products are sold through a network of independently owned retailers, including specialized paint-and-decorating centers, hardware stores, and retailers' cooperatives such as Ace Hardware, Do it Best, and True Value. The company has major manufacturing and distribution operations throughout the United States and Canada, with global sales in more than 75 countries.
Product Lines
Notable product lines include Aura, Regal, ben, Fresh Start, Ultra Spec, SCUFF-X, COMMAND, Corotech, Insl-X, Coronado, Woodluxe, and Super Hide. The company manufactures interior and exterior latex and oil-based paints, industrial maintenance coatings, wood stains and finishes, and primers.
Awards
In 2020, Benjamin Moore was awarded Best in Customer Satisfaction among Interior Paints by J.D. Power, ranking first in durability, application, and offerings.
Controversy
In June 2014, a former employee filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination, claiming he was fired after complaining about the names of two paint colors, "Tucker Chocolate" and "Clinton Brown," which he argued were racially insensitive. The case was dismissed with prejudice. Additionally, a color formerly named "Confederate Red" was renamed "Patriot Red" in 2015.
