Since 1925, Dunn-Edwards Corporation has been the leading manufacturer and supplier of architectural and industrial coatings in the Southwest, providing a complete line of paints and painting supplies to professionals and quality-conscious consumers.
Frank “Buddy” Dunn founded the company in 1925, not as a paint maker but as a wallpaper store in Los Angeles. The business expanded as he added a line of paints, and later (with two employees) he began manufacturing his own paints in the backroom of the company’s second store.
In 1938, he partnered with his friend Arthur C. Edwards, a former painting contractor and pigment salesman, to form the Dunn-Edwards Corporation. Sales immediately improved, and a business philosophy was born: “Make the finest line of paint and give the best service at fair prices.” It’s a philosophy that endures through this day.
Important Milestones
2015
Dunn-Edwards celebrates its 90th year in business! Watch the video.
2013
Dunn-Edwards launches EVEREST,® an ultra-premium, Zero VOC paint that is self-priming
2011
Dunn-Edwards opens world’s first LEED® Gold-certified paint manufacturing facility in Phoenix, AZ
2010
First to use RAVOC rating; a better way to quantify VOC content of coatings
2008
The 100th store, located in Fullerton, CA opens
2000
Dunn-Edwards enters cooperative venture to produce and distribute recycled latex paint
1995
Dunn-Edwards creates SIERRA®, its first low odor, Zero VOC paint
1986
Dunn-Edwards enters the Las Vegas, Nevada market
1983
Dunn-Edwards is one of the first manufacturers to voluntarily replace ethylene glycol (EG) with propylene glycol, a safer, more environmentally friendy ingredient in our water-base paint
1979
Dunn-Edwards discontinues use of mercury biocides in latex paints, 11 years ahead of the partial ban by the EPA
1974
Dunn-Edwards expands its manufacturing in Arizona by opening the Tempe factory and store
1960
Main Office expands and moves from downtown Los Angeles to Vernon
1956
Dunn-Edwards expands into Arizona and Northern California markets
1954
Dunn-Edwards discontinues last remaining lead-based paint, 24 years ahead of the ban by the Federal Government
1938
Arthur C. Edwards joins the company, which shortly becomes the Dunn-Edwards Corporation
1937
Los Angeles factory opens
1936
The company changes its name to Dunn’s, Inc.
1927
Company begins to sell paint products and becomes the Consolidated Wallpaper and Paint Corporation
1925
Dunn-Smith Company formed; soon becomes Consolidated Wallpaper Corporation, with its first store on Figueroa St., Los Angeles