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Sherwin-Williams Announces Deal to Acquire UK-based Leighs Paints

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

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The Sherwin-Williams Company announced a definitive agreement to acquire Leighs Paints, a UK-based manufacturer of high-performance coatings.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Leighs Paints FIRETEX brand has been used on more than 400 projects around the world.

Established in 1860, Leighs Paints offers a comprehensive line of passive fire protection intumescent products. The company’s FIRETEX brand has been used on more than 400 projects around the world protecting offshore platforms, chemical plants, refineries, airports, and hospitals.

A news story in Durability + Design (www.durabilityanddesign.com) reported that the company’s intumescent coating was used on the steel trusses of the new retractable roof over Centre Court at the All England Lawn Tennis club at Wimbledon, England. See Leighs Paints Aces Wimbledon Roof Protection.

Sherwin-Williams Chairman and CEO Chris Connor said the acquisition represents “another positive step in our strategy of steady growth and expansion through quality products and people who provide excellent customer service. This acquisition reaffirms our strategic commitment to growing globally.”

“Combined, our two companies have nearly three centuries of experience in coatings innovation,” Connor said.

Leighs Paints has 260 employees and maintains one manufacturing facility. The company’s sales and technical support centers are located in the UK, Germany, Canada, India, and United Arab Emirates. The company distributes products in 47 countries.

Leighs Paints Chairman Brian Leigh-Bramwell said the company “has been a part of my family for the past 151 years. Sherwin-Williams shares many similarities with Leighs Paints both in terms of history, culture and customer focus. I am confident this decision will be of great benefit to both companies and our customers well into the future.”