Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
In February, Brian Carson became the new chief executive officer for the Pittsburgh Paints Co., which today announced new branding to complement the company’s move to become a privately held company and name change that took place in December 2024.
Carson sat down with Hardware Retailing and shared his goals for the future of the company, how the new branding will move Pittsburgh Paints Co. forward and the biggest opportunities and challenges in the industry.
Hardware Retailing (HR): What are some of your top goals for the company in the next year?
Brian Carson (BC): This year, we will be completing the separation of systems from PPG to be our own independent company and are sprinting to improve the business for our channel partners and ourselves. Most of our customers, like retailers or dealers, are in the business of buying paint. That’s their lifeblood: to buy and resell. So, the question isn’t whether they are going to buy paint–that’s their business. The question is how we get them to choose us more often. By looking at the market from the eyes of what drives success for our channel partners, we will create value for them and we will grow and win through them. We are on a mission to empower those who build, create and protect with the products, services and expertise they need to succeed.
Over the next year, we are moving forward with speed and hustle to drive the business forward and advance our positions in all segments with a robust focus on our customers’ success.
In our new chapter, now as an independent company, we’re thrilled to introduce our new logo and tagline, symbols of our 150-year history of expertise and legacy. The new logo is a modern redesign of the beloved “Drippy P,” which originated in the late 1950s. “Priming you for success,” is a testament to all of our customers and our commitment to helping them achieve their goals.
HR: Can you provide some insights into the motivation behind the new branding?
BC: Just like a fresh coat of paint can transform a room, a new logo and tagline can bring a company to life. Our new identity reflects the heritage, trust and innovation that our customers expect from Pittsburgh Paints Co. and combines it with the fresh, new chapter of becoming an independent leader in the paint and coatings industry in North America.
We have 150 years of legacy and have much more of our future to write. Both Canada and America were built using Pittsburgh Paints products. This history is unique to any industry—we’ve been building North America for a century and a half, and we’re just getting started.
Our new tagline applies to all of our customers, from independent retail partners to DIYers to professional painters. Big and small. New and old. It’s not just about our products, it’s about our people, our services and our expertise in helping them achieve their goals.
HR: How will the new company branding reflect the future goals and mission of Pittsburgh Paints Co.?
BC: We’re just getting started with our new logo and tagline–they are launch pads for our incredible future. We’re building on our history and expertise and intend to make our mark in the ever-changing paints and coatings industry. Our team and goals are on an aggressive course of transformation and renewal within the paint industry.
When it comes to how you’ll experience our new branding in the market, the new logo and tagline will begin to appear on relevant marketing materials in the near future. Over the next year, our new branding will start to roll out on the products our customers know and love like like SPEEDHIDE™ and MANOR HALL™. Eventually, over the coming years, our retail locations in the U.S. will reflect the Pittsburgh Paints Co. branding.
HR: In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing the paint industry? Biggest opportunities?
BC: Before joining Pittsburgh Paints Co. in February 2025, I was in the flooring industry for 35 years where I experienced many similarities to paints in construction processes, opportunities and challenges with a similar set of dynamics, customers, channels and end users. Now about a month into my role at Pittsburgh Paints Co., I see opportunities to enhance the customer experience through innovative product development and strategic brand positioning to drive growth and improve the margins of our channel partners. We are strongly positioned to continue delivering great value to our customers.
Independent retailers understand the hustle and grit behind operating in this industry. I had the privilege of meeting with several of our valued customers recently at ALLPRO. I heard specifically how they share our matched desires to build and grow with speed and agility against current challenges the industry faces like housing forecasts and economic uncertainties. By offering a strong portfolio of brands for all of the customers and segments independent retailers serve, we’re uniquely positioned to support them in the short and long term.
Through this, we remain dedicated to our independent partners and look forward to reinforcing our commitment to them with refreshed support and marketing materials as our brand transitions.
