SHW vs ITW Comparison

Sherwin-Williams is the largest global manufacturer of paints and coatings. The company focuses on the development, manufacturing, and distribution of paint, coatings, and related products to customers ranging from professional painters and contractors to industrial manufacturers to do-it-yourself consumers. Sherwin organizes its operations into three primary segments: the paint stores group is the largest segment and includes the company's network of over 4,800 company-owned stores; the consumer brands group sells branded architectural paints through big-box retailers such as Lowe's, and the performance coatings group provides specialized coatings for industrial applications, such as automotive refinishing, packaging, and industrial wood.

Founded in 1912, Illinois Tool Works has become a diversified industrial manufacturer through acquisitions and innovations that follow customer needs. ITW operates through seven business segments, with no segment representing more than one-fifth of revenue. ITW's automotive OEM segment sells vehicle components; its food equipment segment sells commercial kitchen appliances; its test and measurement and electronics segment sells inspection and analysis equipment; its welding segment sells welding equipment and consumables; its polymers and fluids segment sells industrial and consumer adhesives, solvents, and coatings; its construction products segment sells building fasteners and tools; and its specialty products segment sells medical, packaging, HVAC, and airport ground equipment.