COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 2851

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels, and Allied Products

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

18companies1883–1969founding years16still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedPPG Industries, Inc.FoundedPPG Industries, Inc.
1883
FoundedThe Sherwin-Williams CompanyFoundedThe Sherwin-Williams Company
1884
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedCourtaulds plcFoundedCourtaulds plc
1913
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedThe Glidden CompanyFoundedThe Glidden Company
1917
FoundedPetroFina S.A.FoundedPetroFina S.A.
1920
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedGrow Group Inc.FoundedGrow Group Inc.
1950
FoundedBayer A.G.FoundedBayer A.G.FoundedHoechst A.G.FoundedHoechst A.G.
1952
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedAkzo Nobel N.V.FoundedAkzo Nobel N.V.
1969
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

PPG Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1883
PPG Industries, Inc.
PPG Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1883
PPG Industries, Inc.
The Sherwin-Williams Company →
Active · founded 1884
The Sherwin-Williams Company, "America's Paint Company," is the largest producer of paints, varnishes, and specialty…
The Sherwin-Williams Company →
Active · founded 1884
The Sherwin-Williams Company, "America's Paint Company," is the largest producer of paints, varnishes, and specialty…
Courtaulds plc →
Active · founded 1913 · England
Courtaulds plc is the world's second-largest producer of acrylic fibers and a major global producer of rayon.
Courtaulds plc →
Active · founded 1913 · England
Courtaulds plc is the world's second-largest producer of acrylic fibers and a major global producer of rayon.
The Glidden Company →
Active · founded 1917
America's third largest paint company, after Sherwin-Williams Co.
The Glidden Company →
Active · founded 1917
America's third largest paint company, after Sherwin-Williams Co.
PetroFina S.A. →
Defunct · founded 1920 · Belgium
PetroFina S.A., Belgium's largest corporation, is the 15th largest publicly traded integrated oil and gas company in…
PetroFina S.A. →
Defunct · founded 1920 · Belgium
PetroFina S.A., Belgium's largest corporation, is the 15th largest publicly traded integrated oil and gas company in…
Grow Group Inc. →
Active · founded 1950
Grow Group Inc.
Grow Group Inc. →
Active · founded 1950
Grow Group Inc.
Bayer A.G. →
Active · founded 1952 · Germany
Bayer A.G., along with BASF and Hoechst, is heir to the German chemical cartel known as I.G.
Bayer A.G. →
Active · founded 1952 · Germany
Bayer A.G., along with BASF and Hoechst, is heir to the German chemical cartel known as I.G.
Hoechst A.G. →
Active · founded 1952 · Federal Republic of Germany
With operations in 120 nations around the globe, Hoechst (pronounced "herckst") A.G.
Hoechst A.G. →
Active · founded 1952 · Federal Republic of Germany
With operations in 120 nations around the globe, Hoechst (pronounced "herckst") A.G.
Akzo Nobel N.V. →
Active · founded 1969 · Netherlands
The Dutch company Akzo Nobel N.V.
Akzo Nobel N.V. →
Active · founded 1969 · Netherlands
The Dutch company Akzo Nobel N.V.
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