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By SBN Staff
Smart Business Akron/Canton | March 2001
Another color of success
As an independent manufacturer of paint, stains and specialty coatings, Harrison Paint Corp. has been through its share of ups and downs. Recently, though, Harrison was purchased by Stark county natives and brothers, Patrick and Mark Lauber, who look to return it to its previous levels of success.
Founded in 1911 in Cleveland, Harrison eventually moved to Canton, where it changed ownership twice and faced financial difficulties. Despite its past troubles, the Laubers are optimistic, and excited that 26 out of 26 Harrison employees accepted offers to remain with the company.
"They are the experts because they know the business inside and out," says Patrick Lauber. "They have certainly been through a lot after bankruptcy and change of ownership, and yet they have been very encouraging and are happy to be a part of Harrison Paint."
The biggest challenge facing the Laubers will be getting back the customer base and loyalty that once defined Harrison. To accomplish this, they will be devoted to customer service and producing quality products.
"There certainly is a reputation with Harrison Paint," says Lauber, "so we will focus on providing quality products to our small niche of independent paint suppliers."
The brothers bring with them experience and valuable lessons learned from owning two businesses prior to Harrison, and project earnings for this year at around $5 million, with the intention of increasing revenue as they gain knowledge in the industry.
Oscar the Grouch
What's the worst professional butt-kicking you ever got?
Tim Kraft remembers his. It happened when he worked at the marketing department of a Canton hospital, at a time when the institution sponsored Sesame Street Live at the Canton Civic Center.
"We got a large block of tickets and set aside the choice seats for execs, and planned to give the rest to our employees. One executive didn't show up to pick up his tickets by 4 p.m., so I gave his tickets away," says Kraft, now owner of WordKraft Business Writing in Canton.
Learning this, Kraft's boss, the VP of marketing, launched into a barrage of expletives, fearing the executive would be offended.
"Can you imagine how strange it is to hear swear words mentioned in the same breath with Burt and Ernie?" Kraft laughs.
"As it turns out, that executive didn't mind at all -- he picked up his tickets at the door at show time."
