Our History

Akron Paint & Varnish, Inc. was founded in 1878 by J. Martin Beck and Edward G. Kubler under the name of Akron Varnish Works. The product line consisted of wood varnishes and black enamels. Business continued to grow consistently until 1893 when the bicycle boom occurred. In that same year, the safety bicycle was invented and everybody wanted one. More than half the nation’s bikes were finished with enamel from Akron Vanish Works.

In 1912, the factory was expanded to accommodate the fast-growing automobile industry. With black being the acceptable color for automobiles, Akron Varnish Works enjoyed outstanding prosperity. The company continued to grow and develop new products which enabled them to survive The Great Depression. In 1935, the stockholders changed the firm’s name to The Akron Paint & Varnish Company to accommodate a new line of paints and varnishes. The trade sales part of the business grew, and the company also continued to sell to the tire industry, airline industry, and for government applications.

In 1982, David Venarge became president of Akron Paint & Varnish, Inc. The trade sales division was sold and the company focused its technology and expertise on the engineered coatings market.

Our customer base is very diverse, as we have customers in all sections of industry and the armed forces. We believe partnering with our customers to be mutually beneficial. In effect, APV’s customers are its partners, and its partners are its customers.

In the 1990s, recognizing the research and development and engineering orientation of the company, we once again altered our name to its present title of APV Engineered Coatings. APV’s 125-year commitment to engineering and innovating quality products is a legacy that will surely continue in the challenges that lie ahead.

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