The History of Benjamin Moore
It all started in 1883 when Benjamin Moore engineered the “Calsom Finish,” wall coating. He focused with his older brother, Robert Moore, to develop this product in Brooklyn, NY. The siblings saw profits the first year on their operations and their business progressed fast. Their Corporation was born in New York in 1889 and their ongoing New Jersey Corporation was established soon afterward.
During the company’s beginning years, Benjamin Moore crafted a personal philosophy that transitioned into the business’ very first credo. He passionately stated that “The application of Intelligence to Industry based upon Integrity,” ought to be their foundation. “Intelligence, Integrity and Industry,” became the hallmarks of Benjamin Moore’s core values.
The business' Internal Vision describes these values currently as “Leadership, Innovation and Performance.” This philosophy generates the principle foundation for the business policy.
Today’s logo, featuring the “M Triangle,” was created in 1925 by L.P. Moore to represent the concept of “Integrity, Intelligence and Industry.” Representing the “3 I’s,” it is the logo that the Benjamin Moore staff proudly wear on their service pins. This stands for how business thrives with its suppliers, customers and employees.
In 1892, Benjamin Moore tweaked his Calsom Finish formula and developed a new product called MURESCO. This all-in-one ceiling and wall finish was revolutionary for its time. It became a popular household name and even a listing in Webster’s Standard Dictionary.
The company remained committed to creating innovative paint solutions as the years passed. SANI-FLAT was a lead-free, flat-finish, decorative product that could handle frequent cleanings. 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. The expansion program was launched to deliver optimal service to expanding clients. A subsidiary was formed in Chicago over the next decade and a new plant was built in New Jersey along with the purchase of a Cleveland factory.
Benjamin Moore expanded to Canada in 1906. At the first shareholders’ meeting, Benjamin Moore was elected as company president on September 11, 1906. Fred Moore, Benjamin’s half-brother, was elected as 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. Unbelievably, the initial Toronto to Vancouver shipments travelled an all-water route sometimes through the Panama Canal and roughly 8500 miles!
In 1953, a complete factory was constructed in Montreal. By 1962, a third plant was built in Burnaby, BC. However, it relocated to Aldergrove in 1991. By 2000, the company updated its manufacturing processes.
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. Conversely, the Montreal location was expanded into an all-latex manufacturing facility. The Technical Coatings Co. Ltd. plant in Burlington, Ont. grew to become the location for central solvent-based production..
The Benjamin Moore & Co. business was purchased by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. in December 2000. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. owns subsidiaries as a holding company with interests in numerous business activities. The Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is Warren Buffet.
There are over 275 committed Benjamin Moore & Co. Canadian employees offering their best products and services to consumers, contractors and independent retailers.
During these changing economic days, the business remains focussed on its strategy and vision of strengthening and supporting the independent retain channel while protecting, leveraging and enhancing the Benjamin Moore Brand. This business had developed numerous programs including the Strategic Training Triad for the Retailer, the Signature Store Program and the Painting & Decorating Services Initiative.
The company has used the success of these programs to stay progressive and competitive in the paint market. Betty Moore created branding as “The Colour Experts,” in the 1950s, becoming the first spokesperson. In the 1960s, the Moor-O-Matic custom colour range was introduced and Moore’s Colour Matching System was born by 1970.
Benjamin Moore has grown to be the most recognized Canadian paint company. The recognition is from independent research, Reader’s Digest and Ipsos-Reid Canada, one of the most trusted independent research firms and public opinion polls in the country.
Research and Development
The company’s commitment to continuous product testing and scientific development has allowed the admirable and consistent paint products to continually be enjoyed by customers.
There are over 100 chemists, technicians, chemical engineers and support staff working hard to maintain stringent product standards. New products are continuously being developed by these crews. 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. These instruments focus on a particular area of expertise. Each lab works together to build the Benjamin Moore product formulas. The labs work beside the marketing department and manufacturing facilities to handle the various demands from different markets such as professional, commercial, industrial and DIY.
The analytic laboratory focuses on instruments using the highest levels of technology to determine paint formulas for Benjamin Moore product formulations.
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. These panels are subjected to different analyzing techniques to create new formulas and make better products or update existing formulas. Benjamin Moore also tests competitive products in the lab too to see if they match their claims.
The Central Process Lab is responsible for auditing Benjamin Moore’s product quality. These testing procedures occur over and above the daily product testing on the production line.
The Latex Coatings Laboratory and the Solvent Coatings Laboratory is where solvent-based and new latex-based coatings are developed and tested for performance-enhancing capabilities. They need to meet or exceed the fierce regulations, client expectations and environmental standards that the company expects.
The Industrial Maintenance Finishes Lab is home to developing high-performance, anti-corrosion products for military tanks or industrial locations including factories.
The Polymer Laboratory is the place where most of Benjamin Moore’s research is conducted. This is the location where the binders for products are improved or made. Many other paint companies buy their polymers from exterior locations instead of creating their own. Benjamin Moore relies on in-house production to offer quality assurance. Binder formulas can be tailored to meet certain requirements.
Ready-mixed Benjamin Moore colours are checked for consistency factory standards at the Colour Assurance Laboratory. Their exceptional standards are distributed in each one of Benjamin Moore’s paint plants. The lab monitors the chip accuracy of the Benjamin Moore colour cards to ensure complete consistency. 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. This machine is vital for enhancing Benjamin Moore’s colour-matching abilities. The lab is reviewed and evaluated by scientists for developing colour matching technologies.
The place where all of the paint colour prescriptions live is at the Colour Development Laboratory. It ensures that formulas are consistent for current shades while developing new colour formulations.
The “Test Farm,” or Exterior Testing Facility, is where 25,000 coating samples are studied and evaluated after being exposed to extreme elements. The daily research and development incorporates this data. The highly accessible farm is close to where Benjamin Moore paint is formulated and tested in 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. Sales and marketing staff additionally rely on the farm to gain valuable information on many products.
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.
