Services From Sherwin-Williams Give Builders Solid Foundation In Soft Market

Support Programs for Builders Keep Costs Low and Performance High

LAS VEGAS (January 20, 2009) — In today’s competitive real estate market, builders have to rely on more features to differentiate and close the sale. More than ever, they are looking to their partners for products, services and solutions to make their homes more attractive while helping their businesses stay profitable.

As North America’s largest single-source supplier of high-quality paints, stains and masonry coatings — and as the number one preferred paint brand among builders today — Sherwin-Williams is committed to meeting builders’ needs. With more programs and services than any other paint company, Sherwin-Williams helps builders get the job done faster, better and with the competitive edge they need to be profitable, especially in today’s volatile market.

Paint With Green Solutions Without Sacrificing Performance
Consumers today are more aware than ever of their environmental impact and in turn, are demanding sustainable initiatives and products from their builders. Sherwin-Williams is helping builders meet these demands with a wide range of products that achieve environmental standards while delivering quality and durability. The company also leads the coatings industry in implementing the best processes and practices that ensure better air quality, treat wastewater, prevent pollution, reduce energy use, minimize emissions and manage waste within the company.

Builders can rely on Sherwin-Williams proprietary GreenSure® designation to identify products that help them meet even the most stringent green standards and requirements for their projects. Products carrying the GreenSure designation — Duration HomeTM, Harmony®, ProGreenTM 200 and Builders Solution® — are designed and manufactured taking steps to reduce environmental impact and to meet or exceed the most stringent regulatory requirements. To learn more, visit greensure.com.

“As the consumer’s awareness of sustainable building practices grows, we are committed to providing builders with products and services that will meet homeowner demand,” said Steve Revnew, director of marketing, product development for Sherwin-Williams. “What’s more, in doing so we are making products available to builders that increase the market value of their projects and help them demonstrate a commitment to quality and to the environment.”

Avoid the Color Selection Guessing Game
Sherwin-Williams offers builders an extensive color palette of more than 1,500 interior and exterior hues for their projects. Recognizing, however, that color selection can be daunting, the company has developed color programs and services to help builders find the best palette to differentiate their properties.

Sherwin-Williams offers builders an extensive color palette of more than 1,500 interior and exterior hues for their projects. Recognizing, however, that color selection can be daunting, the company has developed color programs and services to help builders find the best palette to differentiate their properties.

Homescapes is a collection of exterior color combinations selected by Sherwin-Williams color experts that builders can choose from for their homes and communities. The value-added service gives builders and their designers the ability to create distinct looks for neighborhoods and ensures that each home is in line with the aesthetics of current and regional taste preferences. What’s more, Homescapes appeals to home buyers because it makes exterior color selection easier and allows them to choose a scheme that reflects their personal taste.

In addition to Homescapes, Sherwin-Williams Color Marketing and Design Specialists can recommend wall colors and coordinate with hard surfaces, window treatments and flooring. Also, the company’s Sher-Color™ color matching system allows for fast, accurate matching and color uniformity from home to home. Services such as these save builders from the guessing game of color selection, and can help ensure that the colors selected will enhance their homes’ curb appeal and help close the sale faster.

Create Efficiencies to Maximize Profitability
To help meet the day-to-day challenges of builders, Sherwin-Williams offers a National Account program. Within this program, Sherwin-Williams serves as a single-source partner to builders, offering complete standardization of color and quality so that builders can maintain consistency in their projects from coast to coast. Sherwin-Williams can also work to help builders consolidate their orders and to directly source products to maximize efficiencies and achieve a higher financial return.

Beyond the construction process, Sherwin-Williams supports builders in maintaining a strong relationship with their customers after their homes are purchased, with its Finishing Touch program. Finishing Touch includes tools such as a Homebuyer Welcome Kit, coupon book and Preferred Customer cards for discounts at Sherwin-Williams stores for future painting projects. The Finishing Touch program is just another example of how Sherwin-Williams partners with its builder customers to ensure a successful home sale from start to finish.

Ask Sherwin-Williams
For over 140 years, Sherwin-Williams has satisfied the coating and color needs of builders, designers, specifiers, property managers and contractors. Sherwin-Williams provides fast, flexible, responsive local service and personalized, expert advice. More than 3,000 stores and 1,800 sales representatives make Sherwin-Williams North America’s largest single-source supplier of high-quality paints, stains, masonry coatings and brand-name wall and floor coverings. Visit sherwin-williams.com. For green solutions, visit swgreenspecs.com.