California Paints Celebrates 100 Years of Innovation, Craftsmanship and Color

Honoring 100 years of paint innovation while looking ahead to the next generation of performance

ANDOVER, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California Paints, a heritage New England paint brand, is celebrating a major milestone in 2026: 100 years of delivering trusted quality coatings, color excellence and innovation to professionals and homeowners alike.

Founded in 1926 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, California Paints has spent the last century evolving with the industry - continually advancing performance, color appeal and durability while staying rooted in the craftsmanship and customer commitment that has defined the brand from the very beginning.

“For 100 years, our name stood for craftsmanship, quality and commitment to beautiful colors that can bring inspiration to any space,” said Daniele Doerge, marketing manager, California Paints. “As we celebrate this milestone, we’re excited by the opportunity to use this foundation and continue evolving and innovating to meet the needs of our current and next generation customers.”

Originating from the California Stucco company, California Paints first built its reputation on stuccos and plasters before helping drive one of the most significant shifts in modern paint technology during the 1950s where the brand emerged as a pioneer in acrylic latex coatings, recognizing early on the limitations of oil-based paints prone to fading and peeling. Through the following decades, California Paints expanded through strategic acquisitions, introduced industry-first innovations such as its exterior latex stain, and launched the iconic Storm System® wood care line, earning acclaim for superior protection and performance.

The company transformed the customer experience by becoming one of the first manufacturers to offer computerized color matching at the dealer level. A turning point came in 2000 with the opening of its state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution facility in Andover, Massachusetts, which remains central to the brand’s ability to innovate, manufacture and deliver premium coatings efficiently across the Northeast and beyond.

Now part of Innovative Chemical Products (ICP) Group, California Paints continues to serve as a full-line residential and commercial paint brand, offering advanced paint and coating solutions backed by decades of expertise, such as the Historic Colors of America Palette, 20^th Century Colors of America Palette, Trillion® Super Strength Colorants, Fres~Coat and Ultra, and the newest innovation, Endure® House Paint. From award-winning formulations to modern technologies designed for today’s demanding environments, the brand remains built for what matters most—performance that lasts.

Looking to the future, California Paints is focused on advancing coating technologies, elevating its color tools and strengthening partnerships across its partner network. With the support and scale of ICP Group, the brand plans to invest in next-generation product innovation and operational excellence, ensuring the next 100 years are defined by the same performance that shaped its first century.

For more information about California Paints and its 100-year legacy, visit https://www.californiapaints.com/100-years/

About ICP

Innovative Chemical Products (ICP) Group is a leading specialty chemical manufacturer in North America and provides coatings, adhesives and sealants globally. With operations headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, and multiple manufacturing facilities around the world, ICP serves multiple end markets, including building materials, specialty construction and sports surfaces. ICP is privately held and manufactures products under several recognized specialty groups. For more information, visit www.ICPGroup.com.

ICP is a portfolio company of Audax Private Equity.