Miller Paint Remains a Pacific Northwest Tradition

There have been many paint manufacturers who have become synonymous with their regions over the years. While a lot of these companies have been acquired or left the business, a few of these iconic companies are still succeeding as independents.

Miller Paint is one of the most successful independent regional paint manufacturers in the US. With the slogan “Made Here. For Here,” Miller Paint reflects its roots in the Pacific Northwest. Headquartered in Portland, OR, Miller Paint has 57 stores in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, and the paint brand is also sold by independent retailers throughout the region.

The History of Miller Paint

Miller Paint has been a part of the fabric of the Pacific Northwest region for 132 years and was founded by artist and entrepreneur Ernest Miller. Miller grew up in Germany, where he studied art and became a scenic painter with a passion for color. At the age of 26, he left Germany and settled in the small, bustling city of Portland, OR.

“Ernest opened his first storefront in 1895 in downtown Portland to sell ‘Miller Pure House Paint’ and wallpaper, a popular home décor trend at the time,” noted Puji Sherer, VP Marketing, Color and Brand for Miller Paint. “He created his own quality paints in bright, durable colors formulated to withstand the Pacific Northwest climate.’

As Portland continued to grow, so did Miller’s Paint’s operations. In 1926, Miller Paint’s second location was built in the heart of the Central Eastside, which would become home to a new Miller Paint store, manufacturing plant, and corporate offices. His three sons would continue to grow the business after his death in 1937 and oversee the transition from a family-owned business to an employee-owned company in the 1990s.

Sherer noted that Miller Paints differentiates itself from its competitors by producing paints that are ideal for the Pacific Northwest.

“Miller Paint is a 132-year-old employee-owned legacy paint brand in the Pacific Northwest and has a rich history of manufacturing paint made specifically for this unique climate,” Sherer ponted out. “Miller Paint has evolved from a small local business to an employee-owned company with a strong regional presence.”

A Part of Life in the Pacific Northwest

Throughout the years, Miller Paint has become a fixture in the Pacific Northwest.

“As one of the oldest manufacturing companies in the Pacific Northwest, we have a loyal customer base – both professional and retail-- and we love introducing our paint to new households looking for quality paint and beautiful color rooted in a sense of place,” Sherer said.

This summer, Miller Paint released its new Northwest Color Collection, featuring 132 curated interior and exterior colors that reflect the spirit and style of the Pacific Northwest region.

“This palette of muted and contemporary hues was carefully curated for balance, beauty and harmony, with names including Skier’s View, Gloomy Weather, Silver Lining, River Pebble Gray, Rustic Timber, Soft Sea Glass and Whale Migration,” said Sherer. “The colors make mixing and matching within the collection effortless, allowing you to create a harmonious palette that is layered, comfortable, casual, and complex – just like us.”

Sherer noted that Miller Paint continues to draw on the technical inspiration first developed by its founder, Ernest Miller.

“As an artist and muralist, Ernest started to grind his own paint pigments right here in Portland in the late 1800s,” added Sherer. “He specifically made the paint colors so they worked well in the Pacific Northwest climate, with colors that didn’t fade and could withstand the rainy winter months. Our current tagline: Made Here. For Here, exemplifies our commitment to being a regional paint brand that understands this climate and region.”

Part of what has led to Miller Paint’s success is its R&D expertise. Recently, Miller Paint released AcroHP, a low odor, high performing product to meet the needs of both the professional and eco-conscious consumer and the company is preparing new Acriclear formulations.

“In addition, we are working on expanding our Acriclear line of clear coatings to extend from interior to exterior application in response to trends in timber frame construction in the Pacific Northwest,” Sherer added. “We are also reformulating our Evolution exterior paint line to have enhanced UV protection in order to address the changes in climate in our region. On the industrial side, we have developed a single component epoxy to meet the needs of our commercial contractors that will be available in January 2023.”

Sherer notes that Miller Paint is looking forward to continuing its successful leadership in the Pacific Northwest.

“With close to 400 employees and 57 stores in three states, Miller Paint continues to embrace its founding values built on a foundation of local manufacturing, employee ownership, superior product quality, excellent customer service, and strong community connections,” Sherer concluded. “Miller Paint is committed to making our world a brighter place by providing the best local painting experience – one project at time.”