Lena Rivera
Kelly-Moore and Benjamin Moore are two respected paint brands that are often compared. Despite having similar names, they are completely separate companies with no relation to each other. Kelly-Moore was founded in 1946 in San Carlos, California, and became known among professional contractors and the trade industry. On the other hand, Benjamin Moore offers premium paint lines such as Aura and Regal Select, which are known for their superior coverage and durability. While both brands carry a range of interior and exterior paints, they differ in coverage, durability, colours, price, and more.
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What You'll Learn
Kelly-Moore is no longer available
Kelly-Moore, a paint company founded in 1946 in San Carlos, California, is no longer available. The company was a prominent regional brand, particularly among professional contractors and the trade industry.
The closure of Kelly-Moore was driven by several factors, including the presence of asbestos in its products in the mid-1900s, which resulted in large legal liabilities. The company spent millions of dollars on settling asbestos-related claims, and faced additional costs related to future litigation. The Flacks Group, which acquired Kelly-Moore in 2022, was unable to improve the company's financial situation, and ultimately, Kelly-Moore could not fund its continued operations.
The closure of Kelly-Moore has left customers and contractors seeking alternatives for their paint needs. Color matching services, such as MyPerfectColor, can recreate Kelly-Moore colors, providing touch-up paint, spray paint, and more. However, it is important to note that the finish of the paint may vary, and touching up only a part of a wall may result in noticeable color differences.
The end of Kelly-Moore has also impacted its employees, with about 700 workers being laid off. Competitors, such as Dunn-Edwards, are actively recruiting these former employees and considering taking over leases for the now-closed Kelly-Moore stores.
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Benjamin Moore is more expensive
Benjamin Moore and Kelly Moore are two distinct paint manufacturers with no relation to one another. Kelly-Moore was a well-known regional paint company that was founded in 1946 in San Carlos, California, and was particularly popular among professional contractors and the trade industry. However, Kelly-Moore products are no longer available for purchase.
Benjamin Moore, on the other hand, is often regarded as a premium paint brand, with prices to match. Several factors contribute to the higher cost of Benjamin Moore paint:
Extensive Colour Selection
Benjamin Moore is known for its vast colour palette, offering thousands of colours, shades, tones, and finishes. This extensive range sets the brand apart from its competitors and justifies its higher price point. The brand's colour experts stay on top of the latest design trends, ensuring customers can find the perfect shade for any project.
Advanced Features and Benefits
Benjamin Moore invests heavily in research and development, incorporating special properties into their paints, such as stain resistance, antimicrobial protection, and self-priming capabilities. These advanced formulas enhance performance and convenience, making the painting process easier for consumers.
Environmental Considerations
Recognising the growing demand for eco-friendly products, Benjamin Moore has developed low-VOC and zero-VOC formulas that are safer for both the environment and consumers. Many consumers are willing to pay a premium for environmentally conscious products, justifying the higher price of Benjamin Moore's eco-friendly paint options.
Excellent Customer Service
Benjamin Moore is known for its exceptional customer service, providing support and guidance throughout the painting process. This dedication to customer satisfaction further justifies the brand's higher price point, as customers feel they are investing in a reliable and reputable company.
Premium Product Lines
Benjamin Moore offers premium product lines such as Aura and Regal Select, which are more expensive than standard paints. These premium options provide superior coverage, an ultra-smooth finish, and colour depth, resulting in a high-quality, long-lasting paint job.
While Benjamin Moore paints may be more expensive than some other brands or discontinued Kelly-Moore paints, many consumers and professionals choose to use them due to their quality, durability, and the benefits outlined above.
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Kelly-Moore used asbestos in the past
Kelly-Moore Paints was an American paint manufacturing company founded in 1946 by William Kelly and William Moore in San Carlos, California. The company moved its headquarters to Irving, Texas, in 2023, and its manufacturing plant was located in Hurst, Texas.
For almost two decades, from 1960 to 1978, Kelly-Moore used asbestos as a thickening, filling, and fire-retardant agent in its paint products. Asbestos was also used in the company's spackling and taping compounds, as well as in cement and texture products. Asbestos fibres were sourced from companies such as Carey Canadian, Johns Manville, and Union Carbide.
The dangers of asbestos exposure are well-documented, and the use of asbestos in products has been linked to serious health issues, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. As a result, Kelly-Moore faced thousands of lawsuits from both workers and consumers who were exposed to asbestos through the company's products. In 2024, it was reported that Kelly-Moore had spent a total of $600 million on asbestos settlements, with future liabilities estimated to surpass $170 million.
Despite discontinuing the use of asbestos in its products in 1981, the financial burden of asbestos-related claims eventually forced the company to shut down in 2024. At the time of its closure, Kelly-Moore had 157 stores located in California, Texas, Oklahoma, and Nevada.
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Benjamin Moore has a wider colour range
Benjamin Moore and Kelly Moore are two distinct paint manufacturers with no relation to each other. Kelly Moore was a prominent regional paint brand founded in 1946 in San Carlos, California, and was particularly well-known among professional contractors and the trade industry. However, Kelly Moore products are no longer available for purchase.
Benjamin Moore, on the other hand, offers a wider range of colours and products. They have multiple interior and exterior paints with various sheens and formulas. Their premium Aura line, for example, stands out for its ultra-smooth finish and colour depth, while also being resistant to stains, scuff marks, mildew, and fading. Another interior and exterior formula, DuraPoxy, is described as super-premium and is perfect for high-traffic areas due to its stain and mildew resistance and superior hide and moisture resistance.
While some people prefer Kelly Moore paints for their price and convenience, others acknowledge that Benjamin Moore has superior colour quality. Benjamin Moore's wide range of colours and products, along with their durability and performance, make them a popular choice for painting projects.
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Kelly-Moore was founded in 1946
Kelly-Moore started as a single manufacturing facility and store, but it soon grew into a prominent regional paint brand, particularly among professional contractors and the trade industry. Over the years, the company expanded its operations beyond California, setting up shop in Nevada, Oklahoma, and Texas.
In 1952, six years after Kelly-Moore was founded, William Moore bought out his partner, William Kelly. Moore remained actively involved in the company for the next thirty years. In 1985, six months after Moore retired, Joseph P. Cristiano took over as CEO of Kelly-Moore.
In the following decades, Kelly-Moore continued to expand its business and strengthen its market position through various acquisitions and partnerships. In 1994, the company expanded its presence in Alaska and Washington by acquiring Preservative Paint Co. of Seattle. A year later, it established a factory in Tempe, Arizona, and expanded its retail outlets in Arizona and California by acquiring K-M Universal. In 1998, Moore and his wife set up an ESOP, providing a retirement and stock ownership plan for eligible employees.
In 1999, Kelly-Moore partnered with M.A. Bruder & Sons, a Pennsylvania-based company with a similar business model and customer base. This collaboration allowed both firms to serve national accounts, with M.A. Bruder handling projects on the East Coast and Kelly-Moore focusing on the West Coast. In 2000, Diamond Vogel Paints and Dunn-Edwards joined their alliance, forming Paints America. That same year, Kelly-Moore acquired Ponderosa Paint Manufacturing.
Despite its success and expansion, Kelly-Moore faced financial troubles due to liabilities related to asbestos use in its products before 1981, when the company discontinued the practice. In 2022, Kelly-Moore was acquired by the Flacks Group, a private investment firm, and in 2023, the company headquarters moved from California to Irving, Texas, to be closer to its manufacturing facility. Unfortunately, in 2024, Kelly-Moore announced its closure, resulting in the shutdown of 150 stores and the loss of over 1,000 jobs.
Although Kelly-Moore and Benjamin Moore share the word "Moore" in their names, they are completely separate companies with no relation to each other.
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Frequently asked questions
No. Kelly-Moore and Benjamin Moore are two different paint manufacturers with no relation. Kelly-Moore was founded in 1946 in San Carlos, California, and acquired by Latex Paint S.A. de C.V. in 2024. Benjamin Moore is a separate company that offers premium paint lines such as Aura and Regal Select.
Kelly-Moore Paints was an American paint manufacturing company that is no longer in business. The company faced financial troubles due to a history of using asbestos in its products and was acquired by Latex Paint in 2024.
No, Kelly-Moore products are no longer available for purchase. Customers with existing Kelly-Moore paint should consult other retailers for colour-matching options.
Opinions vary. Some people consider Benjamin Moore to be superior in quality, while others find Kelly-Moore to be more forgiving and solid. Ultimately, the choice depends on the specific product line and individual preferences.
Yes, MyPerfectColor can match colours from both Kelly-Moore and Benjamin Moore brands. They offer custom spray paint, touch-up paint, pints, gallons, and more.
