Request a Quote

Blog

Cochran & Mann’s Lessons in Partnership

May 18, 2021

Lessons in Partnership

Over the last 30 years of business, Cochran & Mann has created deep, long-lasting partnerships with hundreds of businesses and vendors. Partnerships are what allow Cochran & Mann to thrive, and it has been a pleasure to have watched the growth and evolution of our many partners over the years.

As one of the largest commercial painting and wallcovering businesses in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, Cochran & Mann believes the choice of our paint supply partners has been one of the biggest determining factors in our company’s longevity and success over the last 30 years.

Through our partnerships with Benjamin Moore, PPG, Tnemec, Sherwin-Williams, and McCormick Paints, Cochran & Mann has ensured that we have always remained on the bleeding edge of the commercial paint industry. With access to the most premiere and innovative products that the market has to offer, our team of trained professionals is able to ensure that every project is completed with the highest quality finish. 

Over the years, our partnerships with these paint manufacturers have given us a unique perspective into their world-class organizations. In this article, Cochran & Mann is passing forward some of this knowledge showing just how outstanding these organizations are, and why Cochran & Mann is honored to be one of their dedicated partners. 

Benjamin Moore 

Over the years, our team has utilized dozens of various Benjamin Moore products to deliver award-winning projects that have stood the test of time and forever changed the visual landscape of Washington. 

Benjamin Moore offers some of the best paint products that the world has to offer, but they have an even stronger corporate culture. The outstanding work that Benjamin Moore does both within the paint industry, as well as for their communities, is one of the biggest reasons that we deeply appreciate Cochran & Mann’s association with this outstanding brand.

Growth From Humble Beginnings 

The Benjamin Moore brand comes from humble beginnings. Founded as a small business by the Moore brothers in 1883, Benjamin Moore has grown through a dedication to the highest quality paint and finishes through the industry. The company's tireless dedication to its customers and retailers paved the way for its long-standing success.

Since Benjamin Moore’s first day in business, a key tenet of its business philosophy has been to sell its products through independent sellers. By doing so, the Moore brothers ensured that supporting community and small business was always kept as the company's guiding principle. 

The seed that was planted by the Moore brothers blossomed through years of innovation and success. In 2000, Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett acquired Benjamin Moore. The dedication to community was not lost. It was strengthened. Buffett promised the Moore family that he would continue to only sell their brand through independent sellers and further develop the community initiatives. 

With the explosion of growth that Benjamin Moore has experienced since its acquisition in 2000, the corporation is now able to give back more than ever to communities all over the world through its robust corporate responsibility program. 

Corporate Responsibility

While Benjamin Moore has always placed value on giving back to the community, the company’s mission has taken on a new look since it became acquired in 2000. The robust corporate responsibility program now focuses on four well-defined key areas — product, people, planet, and partnerships. 

Benjamin Moore’s core value is to solve everyday pain points through their unique paint applications, while ensuring that health and safety are kept at the forefront of every product. 

Features of Benjamin Moore paint products include reduced volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, asthma & allergy friendly® Certification Program, five points under LEED’s (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) newest environmental standards, Green Seal™, and Cradle to Cradle Certified™.  

In addition to outstanding product, Benjamin Moore offers many other community initiative programs. One program that the company is incredibly proud of is its support of the Gary Sinise Foundation. Through this non-profit, Benjamin Moore is able to provide their product to paint accessible housing that is created for injured veterans. 

PPG Paints 

PPG Paints is one of the most recognized brands in the commercial paint industry and Cochran & Mann is honored to be a proud partner. Founded as a plate glass factory more than 130 years ago, PPG paints made the transition to the coatings business in 1900. They are now headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., with global operations in 70 countries around the world. 

Ever since entering the paint industry, PPG Paints has continued to set the pace for innovation in the research and development space. They remain dedicated to their vision to “be the world’s leading coatings company by consistently delivering high-quality, innovative and sustainable solutions that customers trust to protect and beautify their products and surroundings.”

Sustainability 

PPG Paints invests heavily into the sustainability of its products and makes it a core mission to “protect and beautify the world.” Out of this vision come dozens of smaller initiatives that all lead up to the overall goal of sustainability. Here are some of the ways that PPG Paints continued to enhance its global sustainability programs in 2019:

  • 33% of sales from sustainably advantaged products and processes
  • 25% waste disposal intensity reduction from the 2017 baseline
  • 32% improvement in spills and releases from 2017 baseline
  • 33% of manufacturing and R&D locations with zero landfilled process waste

View PPG Paints’ full 2019 Sustainability Report 

Tnemec 

Tnemec is celebrating its 100th year in business in 2021 and Cochran & Mann is honored to have been a part of the company's rich history over the last century. Founded in 1921, Tnemec has remained a privately-owned coatings innovation company with the very first gallon of paint being made in the family's garage.

Tnemec is committed to remaining a family-owned-and-operated company and they have continued to compete as one of the largest commercial paint manufacturers in the industry. Their mission statement makes reference to their dedication to remaining a multi-generational company:

“Our commitment to private ownership allows Tnemec to grow through thoughtful product innovation and expansion to new business markets and global regions. This is how we maintain competitive positioning, strengthen the brand, and reward shareholders. We foster a hardworking and caring company culture, steadfastly committed to private ownership. We are a family. “

Tnemec is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., with additional satellite locations in major cities all over the United States. In addition, the family-owned business also has a location in Shanghai, China.

Tnemec’s Product 

Tnemec Company specializes in engineering commercial coatings that protect structures and surfaces from corrosion and extreme high-stress environments. Their team of chemists fully embody the company's philosophy of providing “innovation in every coat.” Tenemc’s world-class reputation hinges on its ability to continually provide paint that not only looks beautiful, but also stands the test of time. Their coatings protect buildings all over the world, from Philadelphia to Shanghai. 

Tnemec’s product innovation solves complex issues for many businesses and industries, such as the perma-shield protection that helps the wastewater industry protect their equipment from microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). 

The product innovation is truly a blend of science, technology, and art. Other breakthrough innovations include zinc-rich revolution, fluoropolymer finishes, thermal insulating coating, and more. 

Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams is one of the most well-respected brands in the world, which is why they have celebrated over 150 years of business success! Cochran & Mann is a proud partner of the “Cover the Earth” brand and their products which are loved by households and businesses all over the world. 

Since its founding in 1866 by Henry Sherwin and Edward William, Sherwin-Williams has grown to a global leader in coatings with over 60,000 employees. In 2020, Sherwin-Williams generated over $18.4B in revenue. The company owns many of the most recognized coating brands in its portfolio, which are sold through over 4,700 company-operated stores. These brands include:

  • Valspar
  • Miniwax
  • Purdy
  • Kylon
  • Thompson’s WaterSeal 
  • Cabot
  • DutchBoy
  • DupliColor

Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility 

Sherwin-Williams’ sustainability and corporate responsibility programs are some of the best in the industry. Their “Caring in Full Color” initiative aims to reduce the impact on the environment, assist the neighborhoods where they live and operate, create a safe and diverse workplace, and more. 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Sherwin-Williams worked diligently to support the community through its corporate responsibility program. This included supplying critical products to customers who support the healthcare industry, ensuring the health and safety of all Sherwin-Williams employees, and donating PPE.

Sherwin-Williams breaks down its corporate responsibility program into four categories — the company, the employer, the citizen, and the steward. The 2019 corporate responsibility report explains how the company made a dedicated effort to each of these critical pillars. 

McCormick Paints

McCormick Paints is a family-owned paint manufacturing business that provides exceptional service to the Mid-Atlantic region. Cochran & Mann is proud and honored to have grown alongside this outstanding organization since we were first founded over 30 years ago. 

McCormick Paints has been in business since it was founded in 1960 by Thomas P. McCormick in Rockville, MD. Over the last 60 years, the family-owned business has accomplished many milestones, including becoming a third-generation company in 2008. 

”We are proud of our 30-year association with Cochran & Mann," said Casey McCormick, President & CEO of McCormick Paints. "Their leadership and expertise in the painting industry is why their customers and peers consider them a model company.”

Cochran & Mann is thankful for the close partnership that we've established over the last three decades with McCormick Paints and the countless spaces that have been beautified by our collaboration. 

McCormick Paints

More Than a Color 

McCormick Paints manufactures all of its products at two zero waste, 100% recyclable production facilities. The plant utilizes natural light which provides around 70% of the lighting in the distribution center. All other lighting is equipped with the most up-to-date motion sensor lighting. This allows the company to achieve its goal of being an industry leader in environmentally friendly innovation. 

McCormick Paints’ products are LEED-certified, Green Wise certified, and contain zero VOC colorants. The company incorporates the philosophy of reduce, reuse and recycle into all of their systems and processes to ensure the most high-quality product with the least amount of waste. 

The Future of Paint

McCormick Paints recently launched Paint Dash, which makes ordering paint as easy as ordering a pizza! By contacting any of the 28 McCormick Paints stores, you can order free, same-day delivery on any purchase to your home, job site, or company headquarters. 

Partnering with Cochran & Mann

When you partner with the team at Cochran & Mann, you also support and gain access to these outstanding organizations. Our team specializes in all of the commercial paint products for these suppliers and will know exactly which brand, product, and finish will be best for your commercial paint project. 

Contact our team today to find out how we can provide solutions for your painting needs:

Request a Quote

Get our latest blog posts delivered to your inbox

Subscribe

Awards and Recognitions

Award ImageAward ImageAward ImageAward ImageAward ImageAward Image