Benjamin Moore surpasses your targets for superior interior and exterior stains and paints. Developing their proprietary Gennex® resins and colours enables them to deliver uniform application and superior quality control. They produce every product you need to create a gorgeous home or office update on all of your internal and exterior sites.



The History of Benjamin Moore

The “Calsom Finish,” a unique wall coating, was created in 1883 by Benjamin Moore. He designed this product with his senior brother, Robert Moore in a tiny building in Brooklyn, New York. The siblings saw profits the initial year on their treatments and their business progressed fast. In New York, 1889, a Corporation was created and the current New Jersey Corporation appeared shortly after.

During the company’s initial years, Benjamin Moore developed a personal philosophy that transitioned into the business’ primary credo. He felt the organization should comply with “The application of Intelligence to Industry based upon Integrity.” Eventually, these three key words, “Intelligence, Integrity and Industry,” became the core values of the corporation.

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.” Representing the “3 I’s,” it is the logo that the Benjamin Moore staff proudly wear on their service pins. This principle flows into how the business deals with its customers, suppliers and employees.

In 1892, Benjamin Moore tweaked his Calsom Finish formula and developed a new product called MURESCO. This product was a revolutionary all-in-one ceiling and wall finish that became immediately popular. It became a popular household name and even a listing in Webster’s Standard Dictionary.

Benjamin Moore continued to develop innovative products over the years. A flat-finish, lead-free, decorative item called SANI-FLAT was sought after since it could sustain frequent washing. The UTILAC fast-drying enamel came out next as an excellent replacement to widely popular lacquers that were dangerous.

Benjamin Moore and Co. were able to successfully expand in 1897, thanks to the businesses’ exponential growth. The expansion program was launched to deliver optimal service to expanding clients. Over the following decade, the business created a factory and a subsidiary in Chicago, bought a Cleveland factory and built a New Jersey plant.

Benjamin Moore expanded to Canada in 1906. On September 11, 1906, Benjamin Moore became the elected president during the company’s first shareholders’ meeting. In 1911, his half-brother Fred Moore became the company Treasurer. Fred became the Canadian branch’s managing director and then the first residing Canadian president in 1937. His occupancy created the basis for the current Benjamin Moore & Co. Limited.

Toronto was where the business first put down its roots. On January 14, 1907, the plant located on Lloyd Avenue was bought. This successful location allowed the business to establish the Montreal warehouse by 1923. Throughout the 1920s, other Benjamin Moore warehouses were born in Vancouver, Regina, Saskatoon, Halifax and Winnipeg. 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. By 1962, a third plant was built in Burnaby, BC. By 1991, this plant was relocated to Aldergrove. By 2000, the company updated its manufacturing processes.

The Aldergrove location changed to become the Western distribution and office location and production manufacturing stopped. After ninety-four years of running, manufacturing in the Toronto plant was also finished. Conversely, the Montreal location was expanded into an all-latex manufacturing facility. Formerly called the “Technical Coatings Co. Ltd, the plant in Burlington, Ontario became the central solvent-based manufacturer..



In December 2000, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. purchased Benjamin Moore & Co. 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 retail 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. 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.

Benjamin Moore has become known as the most trusted paint brand in Canada. 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 more than 100 chemical engineers, technicians, chemists and support staff working hard to maintain strict product standards. New products are continuously being developed by these crews. 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. Each instrument focuses on certain expertise. Each lab works together to build the Benjamin Moore product formulas. The labs work alongside the manufacturing plants and marketing department to meet the variety of demands from DIY, industrial, commercial and professional markets.

The Analytic Laboratory relies on state-of-the-art technology and instruments to analyze paint formulations for Benjamin Moore and other products.

There are two testing locations at the Competitive Evaluations Laboratory dedicated to testing the exterior products and their 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. 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 Solvent Coatings and the Latex Coatings Laboratory is the place where new latex and solvent-based items are created and developed to enhance their performance. 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 main location for most of Benjamin Moore’s research is done at the Polymer Laboratory. This is the place where all of the binders used in products are improved or created. Most paint businesses create their polymers from exterior places. In-house production is important to Benjamin Moore for maintaining 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. They have high standards at each and every one of their paint plants. The lab monitors the chip accuracy of the Benjamin Moore colour cards to ensure complete consistency. A handy tool for contractors and homeowners alike.

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. Scientists at this lab evaluate and review new technologies and colour matching machines.

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 “Test Farm,” or Exterior Testing Facility, is where 25,000 coating samples are studied and evaluated after being exposed to extreme elements. This data is incorporated into daily research and development. This farm is very accessible and located near where the paint is tested and created in Benjamin Moore labs.

Each chemist on staff has access to this lab for conducting research and development. The chemists’ staff is encouraged to visit the lab frequently throughout the day to view their coatings and see how they are performing. 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.