With a rich Harris history spanning decades, we’ve been at the heart of painting and decorating since day one. Uncover our story, and discover what makes Harris the painter’s best choice.
At just 23 years old, Leslie G Harris founded The Midland Trading Company and, with a 13-strong team of staff, began manufacturing paint brushes from his small premises in Birmingham.
Having continued to thrive throughout the great depression, Leslie renamed his business LG Harris & Co. Ltd
Keen to manufacture his own handles and ferrule, Leslie secured new premises in the leafy suburb of Stoke Prior, 18 miles south-west of Birmingham.
Harris launched its first national advertising campaign with a Duke and Duchess introducing the theme ‘Harris-tocracy’ with the message: ‘The paint brush with the name to its handle’.
Following completion of the new buildings, the company began operating from the Hanbury Road site where it still is today.
Harris was awarded the Royal Warrant for the supply of painting and decorating brushes to the Sandringham Estate and Windsor Castle. The prestigious award cemented our reputation for exceptional products, and we are proud to still hold the Royal Warrant today.
Harris continued to grow and by now was fit to burst! A new 100,000sq ft warehouse and despatch department was built to accommodate our growing team of staff and expanding range of products.
Harris recognised a gap in the market for a product that combined ‘quality with economy’. So, Taskmasters was developed, which proved to be a firm favourite and hugely popular in all markets.
That ‘bristle loss problem’ just wasn’t going away, so Harris developed and patented the NoLoss brand. Guaranteed against bristle loss, the range became iconic for Harris.
To ensure we could manufacture a good quality paint brush in China, Harris bought a new manufacturing facility and fitted it out with state-of-the-art machinery. It was the start of an exciting new venture in the Far East.
After extensive design, development and testing, Harris entered the professional market for the first time with the launch of T-class: a concise range of industry–leading product for expert decorators and builders.
The official opening of Harris China located an hour and a half from the airport and deep seaport of Yantian.
Harris launched ID Gel Oval, a brand-new innovative range for decorators who demand a more comfortable painting experience and precise cutting-in control.
With a shiny new brand identity, T-Class was relaunched with additional products for professional decorators all over the world.
Following an extensive consumer research project, Harris was recognised as the UK’s No. 1 paint brush and roller brand, with 9 out of 10 customers saying that they would recommend Harris to a friend.
Orkla House Care, a leading Nordic supplier of branded consumer goods and concept solutions, purchased L.G. Harris. This marked the beginning of an exciting new journey for Harris, our customers, and, of course, our valued team of staff.
An exciting, refreshing relaunch for the Harris brand, truly focusing on the needs of the end user, understanding their decorating journey, and being there every step of the way.
Harris, in partnership with our parent company Orkla, create a new focus on sustainability. Our ambitious sustainability strategy sets clear goals towards 2025. See a short text and film describing our sustainability strategy here.
With over 90 years of heritage, Harris continues to lead the way for professionals and DIYers alike. From Ultimate to Seriously Good and Essentials, our tools deliver the right performance, every time.
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