Among the best tool manufacturers for painting supplies are the T.S. Simms & Co. a Canadian enterprise. Since 1866, the Simms Company has had a tradition of advancement and remarkable craftsmanship. Having a devoted staff has established the company’s quality reputation delivering service and quality.



Simms combines contemporary automated manufacturing systems with traditional skills from our craftspeople. The business is known for superior paint applicator products that exceed client expectations. The paintbrushes and paint rollers display the best materials in their dedication to quality. Many of our trademarked plastic tray designs and roller trays have become the industry standard. DIY’ers, painting authorities and homeowners can enjoy our immense range of painting tools to complete any job effortlessly.

Company Origins

Thomas Stockwell Simms built the Simms Company in 1866. Mr. Simms purchased a small broom and brush business with funds as a Veteran from the American Civil War with his bonus and soldiers’ back pay. In 1872, this start-up company relocated to Saint John, New Brunswick. This was a very busy port city at this period, famous around the globe for its’ shipbuilding contributions.

Thomas Simms experienced many difficulties but persisted with a variety of talents. He lost two spouses and suffered a terribly devastating factory fire. However, he did not give up and was fortunate to forge ahead despite having these tragedies.



Simms journeyed the world. He was among the original brush-makers to go to China in the 1900s to purchase bristles directly. He was involved with the lay missionary movement. The Simms Memorial Baptist Church is found in India and is regarded as a significant enterprise.

Lewis Wesley Simms

In 1908, Lewis Wesley Simms became the company leader after his father perished. For the next 50 years, he served as President. LW had a dynamic presence and strong personality. He expanded the organization his father began from local to national. LW developed and marketed automated brushmaking equipment, revolutionizing the industry. Lewis Simms excelled in the Canadian business arena and found national acceptance. He was in particular the president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and also the Canadian Manufacturing Association.

LW Simms was inducted posthumously in to the New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame and into the Canadian Hardware Houseware Manufacturing Association Industry’s Hall of Fame. Simms was obviously a visionary and a master of employee relations. His organized and efficient approach allowed the company to flourish into the success it is today.



Thomas Stockwell Simms III, the great-grandson of the originator, preserved the traditions of integrity and high-quality that the business was founded on. Establishing strong operations, creative and experienced employees and vivid merchandising, the plant acquired quality equipment to produce innovative new products.

Saint John, NB hosts the company’s sales, client service and marketing at head office. The business manufacturing area and warehouse hub can be found in Erin, Ontario. Healthy business ethics, impressive product quality and excellent customer service all promote the company’s success.