English Color and Supply is a major manufacturer and distributor of paints, coatings, and related products. The company has a long and storied history, tracing its roots back to the early 20th century. But who is leading English Color and Supply today as its Chief Executive Officer?
The History of English Color and Supply
English Color and Supply was founded in 1908 by John English as a small regional paint company based in Ohio. English was an entrepreneur who saw the growing demand for paint from automakers, home builders, and other industries. Within a few years, the company began expanding beyond Ohio into other Midwest markets.
In the 1920s, under English’s leadership, the company introduced several innovative new paint products to the market. This included latex paint, which was more durable and easier to apply than oil-based paints. By the late 1930s, English Color and Supply had grown to be one of the largest paint manufacturers in the country.
The company continued expanding through acquisition and new product development over the next several decades. Some key events include:
- 1950s – English Color and Supply goes international with expansion into Canada
- 1960s – Additional acquisitions make English Color one of the top three paint companies in North America
- 1970s – Introduction of new catalyzed coatings line for industrial markets
- 1980s – Launch of color-matching technology allowing for custom paint blending
By the 1990s, English Color and Supply had established itself as an industry leader in architectural paints and industrial coatings. The company had manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, and sales offices throughout the United States and Canada.
Leadership History
Over its more than 100-year history, English Color and Supply has had over a dozen different Chief Executive Officers guiding the company:
| CEO | Years Served |
|---|---|
| John English | 1908-1929 |
| Howard Brill | 1929-1946 |
| William Packard | 1946-1962 |
| Thomas Hill | 1962-1974 |
| Mark Daniels | 1974-1988 |
| Carolyn Brooks | 1988-1996 |
| William Thompson | 1996-2004 |
| Mark Sanders | 2004-2012 |
| Elizabeth Baker | 2012-2019 |
Some of these leaders presided over key growth periods and milestones for English Color and Supply. For example, William Packard led the company during its major postwar expansion in the 1950s and 1960s. Carolyn Brooks was the CEO who oversaw the introduction of innovative color-matching technology in the 1980s.
In recent decades, English Color and Supply has had more frequent turnover in the CEO role compared to earlier parts of its history. The typical CEO tenure has been between 5-10 years since the 1980s.
Current Leadership
The current Chief Executive Officer of English Color and Supply is:
Natalie Armstrong
Natalie Armstrong became CEO of English Color and Supply in 2019. She was appointed to the position after serving on the company’s executive team for over 10 years in various leadership roles.
Armstrong has an extensive background in the coatings industry. Prior to joining English Color and Supply, she held executive positions with two other major paint and coatings manufacturers, Glidden Paint Company and ICI Paints North America. She has over 25 years of experience spanning sales, marketing, product development, and general management.
Since becoming CEO in 2019, Armstrong has focused on continuing English Color and Supply’s record of innovation and accelerating global growth. Under her leadership, the company has introduced new products for specialty applications and expanded further into European and Asian markets.
Armstrong has spoken about the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility in the coatings industry. She has led initiatives at English Color and Supply to develop more eco-friendly paint formulations and reduce waste from manufacturing operations. The company has set ambitious goals for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and water usage.
Armstrong holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Penn State University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She serves on the boards of industry associations such as the American Coatings Association.
Key Initiatives and Priorities
As CEO of English Color and Supply, Natalie Armstrong has outlined three key strategic priorities:
- Investing in Innovation – English Color and Supply spends over $100 million annually on R&D and new product development. Armstrong wants to increase the focus on disruptive and cutting-edge innovations that will give the company a competitive edge.
- Driving Operational Excellence – Armstrong is pushing programs to optimize manufacturing efficiency, distribution, and supply chain management. The goals are to improve quality while reducing costs across the company’s worldwide operations.
- Expanding Globally – Although English Color and Supply already operates internationally, significant opportunities remain to grow market share in developing regions globally. Armstrong aims to tailor products and marketing for broader worldwide success.
Beyond this three-part strategy, CEO Natalie Armstrong has also made diversity, equity, and inclusion a high priority. She has set goals to increase representation of women and people of color in English Color and Supply’s leadership ranks.
Growth and Performance Under Armstrong
Since Natalie Armstrong took over the CEO role in 2019, English Color and Supply has maintained consistent revenue and earnings growth:
| Year | Revenue | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $4.2 billion | $620 million |
| 2020 | $4.5 billion | $680 million |
| 2021 | $5.1 billion | $790 million |
The company increased sales by over 20% under Armstrong’s first three years while also boosting profit margins. This growth was fueled by expansion in Europe and Asia Pacific along with several major new product launches.
English Color and Supply’s stock price has climbed by around 50% since Armstrong took over in 2019, significantly outpacing the S&P 500 index. Investors have responded positively to the company’s growth under her leadership.
Within the coatings industry, English Color and Supply has held steady as the #2 paint manufacturer globally. Armstrong appears to have reinvigorated the pace of product innovation and geographic growth after a period of stagnation under previous CEO Elizabeth Baker.
Response to COVID-19 Crisis
Natalie Armstrong faced an early and significant challenge during her tenure when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. Her response and leadership during this crisis drew praise from employees and analysts.
Armstrong took decisive actions as the pandemic emerged to protect employees, maintain production, and support customers. These steps included:
- Implemented heightened safety protocols at facilities worldwide
- Accelerated investments in digital infrastructure to support remote work
- Adjusted product offerings and marketing to align with stay-at-home patterns
- Provided additional paid leave and healthcare benefits to employees affected by COVID-19
- Donated supplies to support frontline workers and community groups
The company was able to minimize virus transmission at its manufacturing plants while also meeting customer demand. Armstrong was highly visible in communicating both internally and externally throughout the crisis.
She received high marks for her compassionate, resilient, and transparent leadership during an extremely challenging business environment. English Color and Supply emerged from the pandemic with its operations and finances largely intact.
Management Philosophy and Leadership Style
As a leader, Natalie Armstrong is known for having a collaborative yet decisive management approach. She solicits ideas and input from her executive team and other managers but is also comfortable making tough decisions independently when necessary.
Armstrong takes calculated risks but is not reckless. She sets ambitious goals for English Color and Supply but tempers them with pragmatic execution strategies. She has effectively balanced maintaining the company’s successful core business while still innovating into new products and markets.
In interactions with employees, Armstrong aims to be approachable and authentic. She emphasizes open communication and accessibility, holding regular town halls and office hours. She sets a diverse and inclusive tone within English Color and Supply’s culture.
On financial matters and shareholder value, Armstrong takes a long-term perspective focused on profitable and sustainable growth. She has been able to satisfy near-term investor expectations while still making investments to drive lasting growth at English Color and Supply.
Accolades and Recognition
In addition to English Color and Supply’s strong performance under her leadership, Natalie Armstrong has received some notable accolades and recognition:
- Named one of the “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” by Forbes three years running
- Won Platt’s Global Leader of the Year Award (2021)
- Recognized among the “Best CEOs for Diversity” by Black Enterprise magazine (2022)
- Listed as a “Top 10 Innovative CEO” by Fortune magazine (2020, 2022)
- Won the CEO Leadership Excellence Award from the National Association of Corporate Directors (2020)
Clearly Natalie Armstrong is earning strong reviews from business media, shareholders, peers, and other stakeholders for her leadership of English Color and Supply. Her track record and accolades give credibility to her strategies and vision for the company.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, the future seems bright for English Color and Supply under Natalie Armstrong’s guidance. The company is poised for continued growth across both consumer and industrial coatings segments globally.
If Armstrong and her leadership team can continue to successfully develop innovative new products while also enhancing operational efficiency, English Color and Supply should be able to maintain its upward trajectory. Expanding sales in developing markets also provides an ongoing growth vector.
Of course, economic conditions or disruptive competitors could pose challenges. Still, English Color and Supply’s diversity across product lines and geographies gives it an advantage in weathering potential downturns in any one market.
As CEO, Armstrong has proven capable of leading the company through ups and downs. Her vision combined with strong execution provides confidence that English Color and Supply will remain an industry leader long into the future under her watch.
Conclusion
Natalie Armstrong represents a new generation of leadership for the more than 100-year-old company English Color and Supply. As a packaging and coatings industry veteran, she has quickly made her mark as CEO since 2019.
Armstrong has reinvigorated English Color and Supply’s culture and financial results through investments in innovation, operational excellence, global growth, diversity, and sustainability. Her patient yet driven leadership style has served the company well, especially when navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
With Armstrong still relatively early in her CEO tenure, she appears poised to continue advancing English Color and Supply’s success well into the future. Her track record and accolades to date suggest she has the vision and skills to maintain the company’s standing as an industry leader.
