Company Origins
In 1883, Benjamin Moore created a wall coating called “Calsom Finish.” He focused with his older brother, Robert Moore, to develop this product in Brooklyn, NY. The siblings saw profits the initial year on their operations and their business expanded fast. Their Corporation was born in New York in 1889 and their current New Jersey Corporation started soon afterward.
While in the start-up process, Benjamin Moore identified a personal philosophy that grew into the first credo of the business. He felt the company should comply with “The application of Intelligence to Industry based upon Integrity.” “Intelligence, Integrity and Industry,” has become the hallmarks of Benjamin Moore’s core values.
The business' Internal Vision describes these values currently as “Leadership, Innovation and Performance.” This is the philosophy that serves as the founding principle of the company policy.
Did you know that the current logo of the “Triangle M,” originated in 1925 and designed by L.P. Moore to showcase the “Integrity, Intelligence and Industry,” concept? Signifying the “3 I's,” it is still worn proudly on their service pins by Benjamin Moore staff. This stands for how business thrives with its suppliers, customers and employees.
Benjamin Moore refined his Calsom Finish product in 1892 and created MURESCO, a new item. This all-in-one ceiling and wall finish was revolutionary for its time. This product was so popular, it earned a spot in Webster’s Standard Dictionary since it was a popular household name.
The company remained committed to creating innovative paint solutions as the years passed. A flat-finish, lead-free, decorative item called SANI-FLAT was sought after since it could sustain frequent washing. UTILAC was the next amazing invention. It replaced dangerous lacquers at the time as a fast-drying enamel product that was widely used.
The company continued to expand in 1897 as Benjamin Moore and Co. saw repeated success with their innovative products. Optimal service was delivered to expanding clients through a specific expansion program. Over the following decade, the business created a factory and a subsidiary in Chicago, bought a Cleveland factory and built a New Jersey plant.
Canadian roots were formed on September 7, 1906. At the first shareholders’ meeting, Benjamin Moore was elected as company president on September 11, 1906. Benjamin’s half-brother Fred Moore became Treasurer in 1911. Fred was the first residing Canadian company president in 1937 after being the managing director of the Canadian branch. His occupancy created the basis for the current Benjamin Moore & Co. Limited.
Toronto was where the business first put down its roots. They bought the plant on Lloyd Avenue on January 14, 1907. This endeavor was extremely successful and allowed the Montreal warehouse to open in 1923. Additional warehousing buildings were set up in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Halifax and Vancouver in the 1920s. Shipments from Toronto to Vancouver were sent via an all-water route at times through the Panama Canal for a route approximately 8,500 miles!
In 1953, a complete factory was constructed in Montreal. In 1962, Burnaby, BC became home to the company’s third Canadian plant. By 1991, this plant was relocated to Aldergrove. In the year 2000, the North American company updated their manufacturing.
The Aldergrove plant stopped being a manufacturing facility and became the main office and distribution centre for the West. The Toronto plant was also done after running for 94 years. The Montreal plant underwent an expansion and transitioned into an all-latex facility.. The Technical Coatings Co. Ltd. plant in Burlington, Ont. grew to become the location for central solvent-based production..
In December 2000, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. purchased Benjamin Moore & Co. This business owns subsidiaries and acts as a holding company with a variety of interests in different businesses. The Chairman of Berkshire’s Board of Directors is Warren Buffet.
Over 275 employees are committed to delivering stellar service at Benjamin Moore & Co. They work at a variety of independent retailers all across Canada to deliver their best items to consumers and contractors.
During these changing economic days, the business remains focussed on its strategy and vision of strengthening and supporting the independent retail channel while protecting, leveraging and enhancing the Benjamin Moore Brand. The company has created many programs such as The Painting & Decorating Services Initiative, The Strategic Training Triad for the Retailer and the Signature Store Program.
This company continually evolves to remain at the forefront of the competitive and progressive paint market by relying on the success of these programs. In the 1950s, Betty Moore initiated branding as “The Color Experts,” and was the company’s first spokesperson.
Benjamin Moore has grown to be the most recognized Canadian paint company. This recognition came via public opinion polls from Ipsos-Reid Canada (one of North America’s trusted public opinion and independent research firms), and Readers Digest and independent research.
Research and Development
Continuous scientific testing and ongoing product testing allows Benjamin Moore & Co., Limited to deliver the consistent paint products customers have grown to admire.
There are more than 100 chemical engineers, technicians, chemists and support staff working hard to maintain strict product standards. This crew also creates new items. There are 10 team-based laboratories operated by technical staff at the eighty-thousand square-foot Technical & Administrative Centre.
Every lab features state-of-the-art technology. Each instrument focuses on certain expertise. Every lab works together to develop the formulations for Benjamin Moore products. The labs work close to the marketing and manufacturing facilities to ensure demands are met across the different industries including industrial, DIY, professional and commercial markets.
The Analytic Laboratory relies on state-of-the-art technology and instruments to analyze paint formulations for Benjamin Moore and other products.
The Competitive Evaluations Laboratory has two testing stations dedicated to testing Benjamin Moore’s exterior items and competitive brands. There are over 20,000 painted or stained exposed test panels to test different weather issues for up to 15 years. The panels develop new formulas and undergo analyzing tests to create better products or maintain existing items. To ensure their competitors’ products hold up to their advertising claims, Benjamin Moore regularly tests them too.
The Central Process Lab is responsible for auditing Benjamin Moore’s product quality. This is on top of the daily batch testing for products on the production line of the Benjamin Moore Plant.
The Latex Coatings Lab and the Solvent Coatings Lab are where these new products are made and tested for enhanced performance. These items are repeatedly tested to ensure that they pass the stringent company expectations for clients, environmental stands and company regulations.
The Industrial Maintenance Finishes Laboratory designs specific corrosion-fighting coatings for high-performance for industrial use including factories, military tanks and similar applications.
The Polymer Laboratory is the location of the majority of Benjamin Moore’s research. Here is where the binders utilized in the products are created or improved. Many paint businesses purchase their polymers from exterior sources. The company is dedicated to maintaining quality assurance by developing in-house production. Specific requirements can be tailored to meet binder formulations.
Factory standards are created and consistency is checked at The Colour Assurance Laboratory. These high standards are distributed through all of the paint plants. The chip accuracy on each of the Benjamin Moore colour cards is monitored by this lab too. This tool helps contractors and homeowners find the perfect shade.
The Colour Technology Laboratory invented the first colour-matching computerized system and this has become the industry standard across the board. Benjamin Moore uses this intricate machine to enhance their colour-matching endeavors. The scientists working at this lab are in charge of reviewing and evaluating the latest technologies and colour matching equipment.
The place where all of the paint colour prescriptions live is at the Colour Development Laboratory. It examines formulas to ensure consistency for existing shades and creates new formulas for different colours.
The Exterior Testing Facility also called the Testing Farm is the place that 25,000 coating samples are evaluated and studied after extreme element exposure. This colour data is used by the daily research and development teams. This farm is very accessible and located near where the paint is tested and created in Benjamin Moore labs.
Every staff chemist can utilize the lab as a place for research and development. Chemists are invited to visit the facility throughout the day to visit their coatings and monitor how they perform under various conditions. The marketing and sales employees also utilize the farm to learn specific information on Benjamin Moore items.
The Technical & Administrative Centre is home to the company’s Corporate Engineering, Product Information Centre, Management Information Services, Regulatory Affairs Departments and Information Resource Centre.
