The Pittsburgh Paints Company looks ahead
It's been an eventful year for The Pittsburgh Paints Company, to say the least.
The newly independent company (which has a colorful history dating back to the 1800s) emerged as a result of the 2024 American Industrial Partners (AIP) acquisition of the U.S. and Canadian architectural coatings business of PPG.
Brain Carson, a building materials executive with a robust flooring background, took the reins in February 2025. In that short time, the company has already undergone a fresh rebrand, with an eye toward minting a new chapter of innovation in a changing economic landscape. Below, Carson shares more about the company's approach moving forward.
Q: What are some of your top priorities and objectives for the rest of 2025?
Carson: We’re thrilled to have recently unveiled a new visual identity for Pittsburgh Paints Co. — a reflection of our future with a proud tip of the hat to our history. Our new company logo, a fresh take on the “Drippy P” logo used in the late 1950s through the 2010s, is a heritage logo that matches up with our legacy of expertise in the paint and coatings industry with a modern redesign for a fresh path forward. Meanwhile, our new tagline, “Priming You For Success,” is a clear testament to our dealer and contractor network.
All of this comes back to our customers. They are our highest priority for the remainder of 2025 and forward in our new chapter of becoming an independent leader in the paint and coatings industry in North America.
Specifically, our customers can expect our Pittsburgh Paints Co. team, products and services to create value for them and to step up in new ways to help them choose our paint more often. We are there to help dealers be successful in their businesses, achieve their vision, hustle toward growth and win together. I believe our customers will recognize this as we double down on innovating this business.
Starting this year, our customers will also see the identity of Pittsburgh Paints Co. come to life on products like our SPEEDHIDE and MANOR HALL paint lines with our new logo on the same great products.
Q: What impact do you foresee tariffs having on the company, and what steps are you taking to mitigate related issues?
Carson: As a North American business, the paints and products we sell in the U.S. are primarily produced in the U.S. The same is true for Canada – the products we sell in Canada are mostly manufactured in Canada. With this North American model, I anticipate the paints industry will experience less of an impact than most other building products, however there is some higher costs in upstream raw materials and accessories.
We are closely keeping an eye on how this impacts our supplies and raw materials and will take actions if necessary.
Q: What are some of the top trends you're seeing in the business right now, and which trends do you think will shape the future of the industry?
Carson: In the near term, stubbornly high interest rates, economic uncertainty and deferred building are creating a drag, but the longer-term fundamentals are wonderful.
The population of North America is growing, the housing stock is aging and underbuilt, and there has been several years of deferred construction and renovation. This will create a tailwind for construction and paint for the next few years. The paint sector is vibrant and ever-changing. Our customers are looking for a partner who is backed by expertise and ready to hustle with them toward success. We see the industry craving innovation in products, services and expertise.
Imagine smarter, more durable paints that allow pros to complete projects in less time, or tools that allow dealers to purchase paints and run their businesses more efficiently.
Being a company with a 150-year history, we have our eyes on a future that’s backed by our legacy and fueled forward by our customers’ goals.
Q: What technologies and platforms are the company using right now, and which technologies do you think will increase in importance moving forward?
Carson: Certainly, the digital experience is part of the customer experience. Tools and apps, like our PPG Paints app, that allow our customers to access the support they need to run their businesses are essential. Leveraging smarter digital tools will be key. Think of enhanced apps and visualization technology that help pros and consumers reduce color selection time or access advanced technical support.
From a product technology perspective, future paint innovations will focus on ease of application, performance and sustainability.
Q: What is your vision for the company moving forward? How do you foresee the company evolving moving forward?
Carson: There is a big opportunity to evolve the customer experience – from innovative product development to strategic services. Our approach is to provide more than just paint, but dependable expertise, service and hands-on support that leads to success.
Our dealers are in the business of buying and selling paint and they need a partner who will help them grow faster and innovate solutions with speed and agility. Our mission is to help our customers achieve their vision.
