| 1806 : |
ˇ§Paint and Colorˇ¨, the retail shop which became Stimson, Valentine & Company in 1859 ˇV now Valspar ˇV is founded in Boston. |
| 1830s : |
Many Yankee clipper ships navigating the Atlantic are protected by Valspar paints and varnishes. |
| 1870 : |
The Minnesota Linseed Oil Paint Company is founded. The company process linseed oil, a primary component of paints, and becomes the leading regional manufacturer of premixed paints. |
| 1906 : |
L. Valentine Pulsifer develops ˇ§Valsparˇ¨, the first varnish that does not turn white. |
| 1927 : |
The Spirit of St. Louis is protected by a special Valspar finish for Lindberghˇ¦s solo transatlantic flight. |
| 1935 : |
Stoner-Mudge ˇV now Valspar ˇV supplies the first interior vinyl coatings for commercial beer cans. |
| 1970 : |
Minnesota Paints, Inc. merges with Valspar and establishes corporate headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Annual sales reach US$50 million. |
| 1979 : |
Valspar acquires Conchemco, Inc.ˇ¦s coatings group. Sales reach US$136 million. |
| 1984 : |
Valspar jumps to the fifth largest coatings manufacturer in the United States with the acquisition of the Mobil Coatings Group. Sales reach US$350 million |
| 1987 : |
Valspar acquires Enterprise Paint Companies (including its Federal floor care line) and the U.S. operations of Jotun Marine. Sales reach US$465 million. |
| 1990 : |
Valspar acquires the appliance, coil, and packaging coatings business of DeSoto, Inc., as well as its internal resin production. Sales near US$650 million. |
| 1995 : |
Sales reach US$800 million. |
| 1996 : |
Valspar acquires Coates Coatings and establishes a worldwide presence. |
| 1997 : |
Sales reach US$1 billion following 9 acquisitions |
| 2000 : |
Valspar acquires Lilly Industries, Inc. Sales exceed US$1.9 billion. |
The Valspar Corporation approaches its bicentennial as one of the largest coatings manufacturers in the world. Valspar attributes its success to the hard working people, innovative new products and strategic acquisitions that have characterized the company over the last two centuries.
Valspar is strategically positioned for growth in the coatings industry. It will continue building its future on five key principles:
These core ideals have guided the corporation since it was founded and will be constant themes in Valsparˇ¦s corporate culture into a third century of growth. For more information about Valspar Corporation, please visit our corporate website http://www.valsparglobal.com.
