Known for quality products without compromise, Harris has been a leading name in British home decorating since our inception in the early 20th century as L.G. Harris & Co. by our founder and namesake Leslie George Harris. Our journey from a small, family-owned business to the internationally-renowned manufacturing company we are today has been one of continual craftsmanship, innovation, and unwavering dedication to quality, reflecting our core commitment to providing home decorators and DIY enthusiasts with exceptionally-made tools. Join us as we look back on the history of our family business and its beloved Harris paint brushes, from humble beginnings in a Birmingham workshop to Royal recognition and global expansion.
The Harris story began in the cradle of industry and commerce that was Birmingham in the early 20th century, when a young labourer named Leslie George Harris decided to strike out alone and founded a decorating manufacturing business named The Midlands Trading Company in 1928. Two years later, his company was officially incorporated; after another two years it was renamed L.G. Harris & Co., and thus the Harris of today was born. Through his persistent dedication to reliability and accomplished craftsmanship, the Harris name quickly became synonymous with quality home decorating products amongst customers.
As Britain rebuilt after the Second World War, so too did Harris grow, evolving from a small, family-run business based in the Midlands into a nationally-recognised decorating brand. By the 1950s and 60s, our products could be found in homes and workshops nationwide, demonstrating the durability, quality performance, and reliability of our Harris paint brushes. We were even awarded the Royal Warrant from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1961 for our supply of pig-bristle brushes and decorating tools to the Royal Sandringham Estate, enshrining our commitment to quality with the monarchical stamp of approval.
The mid-1900s saw our business exponentially expand and enjoy success with home decorators across the nation, but the Harris name didn’t become what it is today by standing still. During the 1980s and 1990s, we launched a comprehensive innovation programme and invested heavily into the development of cutting-edge technologies, from advanced roller systems to specialist brush ranges designed to meet the needs of modern decorators.
The torch of this pioneering spirit is still carried at Harris to this day, adapting seamlessly to the ever-changing needs of our customer base. We’ve evolved our Harris paint brushes from traditional natural bristles to high-performance, synthetic filaments designed to work perfectly with modern paints and finishes; our ergonomic handles, precision-engineered ferrules, and high-performance rollers all reflect our constant drive to make decorating easier, faster, and better for all.
At Harris, our values have grown alongside our products - but the core commitments to craftsmanship and quality remain steadfast. What began as the honest work of a small family business has grown into a broader commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and inspiration for all who pick up a Harris paint brush. We’re proud to be designing decorating tools that not only perform brilliantly but are also sustainably produced and kind to the planet, from responsibly-sourced materials to recyclable packaging and reduced waste in production, because we believe that true quality should never come at the expense of our shared future.
In the early days, ‘quality’ meant a brush that lasted, simple as that. Today, our understanding of quality goes further, encompassing the creation of tools that perform beautifully, feel comfortable to use, and achieve a brilliant finish every time - all whilst doing the right thing for our people and planet. For us today, quality is multidimensional: durability, ease of use, high performance, and responsible manufacturing.
Joining the Norwegian Orkla Group in May of 2016 signified our expansion into international markets, taking the Harris brand from a trusted UK name to a truly global manufacturing group. This partnership has strengthened our ability to innovate, share expertise, and deliver even greater value to decorators around the world whilst remaining faithful to our British, L.G. Harris heritage.
If reflecting on almost 100 years of the history of our family business from inception to present-day has taught us anything, it’s that our vision and commitments to excellence remain ironclad. As we look to the future and search for more ways to keep Harris paint brushes as the trusted brand of choice for decorators at every level, we are continuing to develop new products and technologies that meet the needs of our customers by expanding our supply of digital resources, producing expert online guides, and creating dedicated inspiration sections to support DIYers at every step of their journey.
For us, the next chapter is about empowering every decorator, from first-time painters to dab hands, with the right tools and the confidence to create something incredible.
From L.G. Harris & Co.’s modest beginnings in a Birmingham workshop to our position today as a global manufacturing group, our 97-year journey has been defined by an unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. Through nearly a century of change, Harris paint brushes have remained a constant companion to decorators across Britain and beyond.
But our story isn't just about looking back; it's about looking forward towards the next generation of decorators and DIY enthusiasts. Every Harris paint brush and product we produce today carries forward the legacy of craftsmanship that began all those years ago, enhanced by modern innovation and a responsibility to future generations. We're not just making tools, we're empowering people to transform their spaces and bring their creative visions to life.
