If you are searching for exterior and interior paints and stains to transcend your painting expectations, look no further than Benjamin Moore. The company makes its individual proprietary Gennex® colourants and resins, ensuring consistent quality control and premium application properties. Enhance the outside and inside of your office or house with the stellar colour and product selection available.



Company Origins

The “Calsom Finish,” a unique wall coating, was designed in 1883 by Benjamin Moore. He focused alongside his older brother, Robert Moore, to develop this product in Brooklyn, NY. In the initial year of production, the brothers recognized profits and market demand, allowing their company to thrive quickly. In New York, 1889, a Corporation was born and the present New Jersey Corporation was developed shortly after.

While in the start-up process, Benjamin Moore established a personal philosophy that expanded into the first credo of the company. He wanted the business to adhere to the following statement, “The application of Intelligence to Industry based upon Integrity.” Eventually, the three prime words, “Intelligence, Integrity and Industry,” took over as core values of the company.

The businesses’ current Internal Vision dictates these values further 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.” This is the logo given today to staff to wear proudly when they receive their service pins. 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 product was a revolutionary all-in-one ceiling and wall finish that became immediately popular. It became a standard household word and even earned a listing within Webster’s Standard Dictionary.

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. Next, UTILAC came out. This fast-drying enamel became a well-known replacement for dangerous lacquers of the day.

The company continued to expand in 1897 as Benjamin Moore and Co. saw repeated success with their innovative products. Their expansion program was created to bring stellar service to 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.

Canadian roots were formed on September 7, 1906. During the first shareholders’ meeting on September 11, 1906, Benjamin Moore was elected president. Fred Moore, Benjamin’s half-brother, was elected as Treasurer in 1911. Fred became the Canadian branch’s managing director and then the first residing Canadian president in 1937. His position allowed for the formation of the current Benjamin Moore & Co., Ltd.

Toronto was where the business first put down its roots. The plant situated on Lloyd Avenue was purchased on January 14, 1907. This endeavor was extremely successful and allowed the Montreal warehouse to open in 1923. The company established various warehouses across Canada in the 1920s, including Saskatoon, Halifax, Winnipeg, Regina and Vancouver. 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!

A complete factory was built in Montreal in 1953. A third plant was constructed in Burnaby, British Columbia in 1962. By 1991, this plant was relocated to Aldergrove. The North American Company revamped manufacturing in 2000.

The plant in Aldergrove transitioned to become the main office and Western distribution center and ceased manufacturing abilities. The Toronto plant was also done after running for 94 years. However, the Montreal facility grew and became an all-latex manufacturer.. 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. The company acts as a holding company and owns subsidiaries with a variety of interests in many business dealings. Warren Buffet is the Chairman of Berkshire’s Board of Directors.

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. 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. Branding as “The Colour Experts,” this was created by the company’s first spokesperson, Betty Moore in the 1950s. Moor-O-Matic custom colours were born in the 1960s and by 1970, the Moore’s Colour Matching System.

Canada has recognized Benjamin Moore as its most trusted paint brand. This has been determined via Ipsos-Reid polls in Canada, being one of the most trusted North American public opinion and independent research firms, along with independent research and Reader’s Digest.

Research and Development

Ongoing product testing combined with scientific testing enables Benjamin Moore & Co., Ltd. to offer excellent paint products that clients enjoy using.

There are over 100 chemists, technicians, chemical engineers and support staff working hard to maintain stringent product standards. This crew also creates new items. Technical staff is responsible for ten team-based laboratories located at the 80,000 square-foot Technical & Administrative Centre.

Every lab features state-of-the-art technology. The instruments focus on a certain expertise level. Every lab works together to develop the formulations for Benjamin Moore products. 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 relies on state-of-the-art technology and instruments to analyze paint formulations for Benjamin Moore and other products.

The Competitive Evaluations Laboratory offers two testing stations designed to test Benjamin Moore’s exterior product lines along with other competitors. 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. The company regularly tests their competitor’s stock in the lab as well to check if their products match their claims.

Benjamin Moore’s product quality is tested by the Central Process Lab. 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 Laboratory designs specific corrosion-fighting coatings for high-performance for industrial use including factories, military tanks and similar applications.

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 paint businesses purchase their polymers from exterior sources. 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. These high standards are distributed through all of the paint plants. This lab is responsible for monitoring the chip accuracy on the Benjamin Moore colour cards as well. The chip tool is ideal for homeowners and contractors.

The Colour Technology Laboratory created the first computerized colour-matching system and became the industry standard. Benjamin Moore uses this intricate machine to enhance their colour-matching endeavors. The lab is reviewed and evaluated by scientists for developing colour matching technologies.

The Colour Development Lab is where the prescriptions for each paint colour are stored. It ensures that formulas are consistent for current shades while developing new colour formulations.

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. The daily research and development incorporates this data. This farm has been designed for accessibility and is located close to where the paint is created and tested in labs.

The staff chemists are able to use this lab for all of their research and development work. Chemists are encouraged to visit the facility during the day to check on their coatings and monitor performance. Marketing and sales employees also rely on the farm as a vital resource for information on products.

Home to the Information Resource Centre, Management Information Services, Corporate Engineering, Regulatory Affairs Departments and Product Information Centre, the Technical & Administrative Centre is the major hub of the company.