As usual, there is a lot happening in and around the paint industry this fall. This week, APC compiled the following list of relevant stories from September and October for those hoping to catch up on recent industry news and announcements they may have missed: 

• To celebrate the 100-year anniversary of its founding and 40 years as a publicly traded company, Graco leadership participated in the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) opening bell ceremony on September 28th. Founded in Minneapolis in 1926, Graco is widely recognized as one of the industry’s premier manufacturers of paint sprayers and other fluid handling products.

• This week, Arch Painting announced twenty recipients of its annual Teacher Giveaway program, which awards $500 apiece to select educators around the country to help support the cost of essential classroom materials. The program, which includes a competitive nomination process and a random draw, is designed to recognize the critical role that teachers play in preparing the next generation’s workforce for the challenges and opportunities of today’s economy.

• In September, Engineering News Record named Georgia-based KC Painting & Coatings as its Specialty Contractor of the Year in recognition of the company’s growth (with nearly 2X projected revenue growth from 2025-26), safety culture, and major project completions. 

• Ottawa-based Lett’s Painting has launched a new Paint Job Rescue service designed specifically for residential customers in need of a cost-effective solution to address DIY projects gone wrong or substandard work performed by other contractors. The service includes a full assessment and targeted corrective measures to help customers avoid the cost of a full repaint, and offers a model for contractors who are interested in marketing similar services. 

• On October 6th, Minwax announced the selection of Pickled Oak (MW260) as its 2027 Color of the Year. The stain, which the company describes as a subtle neutral with warm undertones, was designed for light woods like white oak and vintage pine. The selection dovetails with a recent trend among manufacturers toward spotlighting subtle tones with a peaceful and relaxing effect, and a growing desire among homeowners to incorporate more visual elements from the natural world into their interior design scheme.
  
• With paint and coatings manufacturers eager to simplify formulations and streamline their portfolios, EPS is conducting research on platforms that perform well across multiple substrates and application spaces. R&D Manager Karl Booth discussed the company’s research strategy in a recent interview with Coatings World.