When people are starting a paint job at home, they always think about the paint, but there is a lot more to a successful paint project. A proper brush and/or paint roller is essential, as are extension poles to reach out-of-the-way spaces, as are tools to prepare to do the job the right way.

The people at Purdy^® know this well. A subsidiary of Sherwin-Williams, the world’s largest paint and coatings manufacturer, Purdy specializes in the tools that make painting accurate and easier. As the company celebrates its 100^th anniversary, they look back with pride on the innovations Purdy has brought to painting over the years, and what the future may hold.

The History of Purdy

Purdy’s history dates back to 1925, when S. Desmond Purdy handcrafted his first brush. The company still handcrafts its brushes today.

“Founder S. Desmond Purdy made his first paintbrush by hand in a garage in Portland, Oregon in 1925,” said Nick Lowe, senior product manager, Purdy. “From the very beginning, Purdy distinguished itself through an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship. Desmond Purdy believed that a high-quality brush could make a measurable difference in a professional painter’s work, a principle that has guided the brand for a century. A commitment to quality remains at the heart of every Purdy painting tool made today, with all Purdy brushes being handcrafted by skilled brushmakers who take pride in their craft.”

Purdy remained family-owned until 2004, when Sherwin-Williams acquired Purdy. Having Purdy as part of the Sherwin-Williams family has proven to be a benefit both to the brands as well as to consumers.

“With the backing of one of the world’s largest paint companies, Purdy has been able to broaden its focus beyond brushes, bringing the same craftsmanship and performance standards to a wider range of tools,” Lowe said. “We answered real challenges in the field by moving into frames, poles and even surface prep solutions to help Pros work faster, get a better finish and turn more jobs in less time.

“One of the biggest advantages is Purdy’s direct connection to the Sherwin-Williams paint development labs,” Lowe added. “Purdy designs applicators alongside the teams that create the paint formulas. This connection is especially valuable today, as coatings are changing rapidly due to shifting environmental regulations and raw material constraints. Purdy’s close relationship with Sherwin-Williams allows it to test and refine tools in real time, ensuring painters are equipped with solutions that stay a step ahead of industry changes.”

Purdy primarily serves the professional painting contractor market as well as the DIY segment.

“Purdy’s core customers are those who demand the highest performance from their painting tools, from residential repaint and new construction to commercial and industrial painting professionals,” said Lowe. “The brand has also built a strong following among serious DIYers who want professional-like results with easy application and trust Purdy to deliver.”

The success of Purdy can be attributed to quality craftsmanship and a commitment to making Pros’ jobs easier.

“Our tools are known for their durability, smooth finish results, and paint productivity and efficiency,” said Lowe. “We listen to the needs of painters and evolve our tools and applicators with them, whether through brush, roller cover or prep tool innovations.”

Designing Tools

Over the years, Purdy has been focused on designing and crafting better tools.

“While Purdy has always prioritized craftsmanship, what’s changed over the past 100 years is the evolution of tools in response to real-world painter needs, new paint technologies and jobsite demands,” Lowe noted. “Among the many milestones in Purdy’s history, one of the most transformative was the industry-wide transition from natural bristle brushes to synthetic filaments that began gaining serious momentum in the late 1970s and accelerated through the 1980s.

“As paint technology moved forward, the tools had to follow, and synthetic brushes gave Purdy a chance to rethink everything,” Lowe continued. “We applied decades of insight into bristle behavior to engineer synthetic filaments that replicated and often exceeded the performance of natural hair—filaments that could handle latex, enamels and everything in between with unmatched control, durability and consistency.”

Lowe noted that from this innovation came the Purdy XL^® Series brush.

“With a feel that painters described as ‘just right,’ it blended responsiveness and control in a way that set a new standard,” Lowe observed. “With its well-tuned balance—not too stiff, not too soft—and broad usability, it became the brush professionals rely on most. Over time, Purdy has expanded its scope, applying the same standard of craftsmanship to tools like frames, extension poles and surface prep tools.”

While painters are always looking for improvements in equipment, the need for smarter, faster and better tools inspired a major product development period beginning in 2014.

“Professional painters were focused on saving time and increasing productivity, which led to the development of many productivity tools like the Marathon^® Roller Cover, Premium Folding Multi-Tool and the 18” Revolution™ Fixed Roller Frame and Cub Brush line,” said Lowe. “Today, Purdy continues to collaborate closely with Pros to innovate products that will make their jobs easier.”

Most recently, Purdy launched three new productivity products, including:

•          Purdy^® Pro-Extra^® High Capacity Brush: Built to hold 40% more paint compared to the Purdy^® Pro-Extra^® Glide brush when used with premium paints, this painting tool is perfect for high production with all paints and primers

•          Purdy^® Altitude™ Roller Cover: Designed to deliver a superior finish, low splatter and 50% more coverage compared to Purdy^® WhiteDove™ when used with premium paints

•          Purdy® POLE+ Extension Pole: Designed for control at any height, provides 2x adjustability with a secure pin lock every 3″, when compared to Wooster^® Sherlock^® GT^® pole.

The Future

Looking ahead, Lowe said that the next decade of painting tools will be shaped by three major forces:

• Changing Paint Chemistry: “With environmental regulations continuing to tighten and lower-VOC paints becoming the norm, tools will need to be designed to perform flawlessly with new formulations. With direct access to Sherwin-Williams paint development labs, Purdy is positioned to co-develop tools that are engineered directly with the coatings they’re meant to apply.”

• Sustainability and Durability: “Painters are looking for tools that they can rely on and waste less. Purdy has already taken the lead with zero-waste manufacturing, forest-certified handles and durable designs.”

• Accessibility and Ease-of-Use: “The need for tools that deliver professional results while being simple enough for newer painters is critical. Expect future innovations to prioritize ease-of-use without affecting quality of performance.”

“Purdy’s 100th anniversary is not just a celebration of the past, but a recommitment to the painters who made the brand what it is today,” Lowe concluded. “Whether it’s a third-generation contractor or someone picking up a Purdy brush for the first time, we are proud to be a trusted partner in their craft. Our legacy is built one brushstroke at a time, and we look forward to what the next century will bring.”