Thompson's WaterSeal is owned by Sherwin-Williams (the United States, NYSE: SHW), which acquired the brand on 7 January 1997 for $830 million.[1][2] Thompson's WaterSeal was founded in 1929 in the United States and was independent until 1997.
Thompson's WaterSeal makes waterproofing treatments for decks, fences and masonry, and is the largest brand of its kind in the United States. It came to Sherwin-Williams with the Thompson Minwax acquisition in 1998. American decks are usually built from softwood that needs resealing every few years, which gives the brand a recurring market.
Sherwin-Williams acquired all outstanding shares of Thompson Minwax Holding Corp through a wholly owned subsidiary, effective 7 January 1997. Buying the shares and paying off Thompson Minwax debt took about $830 million, financed largely with commercial paper that the company refinanced with bond issues later that year. The purchase brought the Minwax wood finishes and Thompson's WaterSeal lines into a company that had until then sold mostly paint.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the parent company of Thompson's WaterSeal?
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The parent company of Thompson's WaterSeal is Sherwin-Williams, a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States.
Is Thompson's WaterSeal American?
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Yes. Thompson's WaterSeal originated in the United States in 1929 and its owner, Sherwin-Williams, is also headquartered in the United States.
When did Sherwin-Williams buy Thompson's WaterSeal?
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Sherwin-Williams completed its acquisition of Thompson's WaterSeal on 7 January 1997. The deal was valued at $830 million (enterprise value).
Who owned Thompson's WaterSeal before Sherwin-Williams?
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Thompson's WaterSeal was an independent company from its founding in 1929 until Sherwin-Williams acquired it in 1997.
Is Thompson's WaterSeal still owned by Sherwin-Williams?
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Yes. As of 16 September 2026, Thompson's WaterSeal is still owned by Sherwin-Williams. The ownership record was last checked against primary sources on that date.
Sources (2) & corrections
Last verified . Every ownership fact above is backed by one of these primary documents. Numbers in brackets in the text refer to this list.