Sherwin-Williams paint plant primed for expansion

Company will double the size of its Rockford distribution center to 66,000 feet.

By Alex Gary

BusinessRockford.com

Sherwin-Williams, the nation’s No. 1 maker of commercial and residential paint, is doubling the size of its powder plant and distribution center in Rockford as part of a five-year growth plan.

Plant manager Todd Knollenberg said the expansion, which will increase the building’s space from about 34,000 square feet to more than 66,000, will not mean an increase in jobs initially.

Knollenberg said 49 people work at the plant now, producing powder for industrial paints and coatings. Rockford’s Cord Construction is building the $1.7 million addition, scheduled for completion in November.

Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Sherwin-Williams is the leading paint producer in the United States, making and selling such products as Dutch Boy, Krylon and Minwax. The company has more than 3,300 paint stores in the U.S., including ones in Loves Park, Rockford and Belvidere. The company had $8 billion in sales in 2007.

Sherwin-Williams began operating out of the 4472 Technology Drive warehouse in 1998. It is one of two major paint producers operating in Winnebago County. Valspar Corp. has a plant in Rockford where about 200 people make spray paints for farm equipment, resins and colorants.

Reach Assistant Business Editor Alex Gary at agary@rrstar.com or at 815-987-1339.