Robert S. (Bob) Merritt

Posted by: Diane Capuano

New Benjamin Moore CEO and President Robert S. (Bob) Merritt identified “rebuilding relationships within the independent retailer system” as the company’s top priority.

“Right now, we’re focused on re-establishing some credibility that we had lost within the retailer network,” said Merritt, who comes to Benjamin Moore after a successful three-decade career as an executive in the restaurant and food preparation and distribution industries. He took the helm of the Montvale, N.J.-based paint manufacturer in early June following the abrupt dismissal of predecessor Denis Abrams.

In a 30-minute telephone interview with Paint & Decorating Retailer magazine on Aug. 7, Merritt acknowledged that the company needed to “take a good hard look” at past decisions that were viewed by the Benjamin Moore’s independent retailer network in a negative manner. (more…)

Robert S. (Bob) Merritt

Posted by Diane Capuano

Benjamin Moore & Co. has announced the appointment of Robert S. (Bob) Merritt as Chief Executive Officer and President, following the departure of Denis Abrams in early June.

Abrams headed Benjamin Moore for seven years. According to his profile on Bloomberg Businessweek, he joined the company in 1995 and held a variety of positions over the last 17 years, including Director of Planning and Director of Manufacturing. He served as Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer prior to assuming the role of CEO and president.

According to the official announcement provided by Benjamin Moore, Merritt comes to the company with more than three decades of management experience in the restaurant and food preparation and distribution industries. (more…)

Posted by: Diane Capuano

A source at Benjamin Moore has confirmed to us the departure of Denis Abrams from his post as CEO, Chairman and President. Media sources indicate that Bob Merritt has been appointed to succeed Abrams.

The 129-year-old paint manufacturer, with headquarters in Montvale, N.J., was purchased by Berkshire Hathaway in 2000.

Additional details to come.

Via Press Release:

Benjamin Moore & Co., the country’s leading premium paint manufacturer and a Berkshire Hathaway company, and Orchard Supply Hardware, a California-based home improvement retailer, have formed a strategic alliance that will yield distribution of the revered 129-year-old paint brand through the chain’s stores statewide. Currently, Orchard has 87 stores with plans to add another three this year.

In jointly announcing the new relationship, both companies acknowledged that Benjamin Moore will be Orchard’s exclusive supplier of architectural paint. Orchard’s Benjamin Moore product lineup will include Regal Select, ben, Concepts, Arborcoat Exterior Stain, and Imagine by Insl-x, along with selected primers and applicators. Benjamin Moore’s award-winning low-VOC Aura Paint will be available in select Orchard stores only. (more…)