The Wooster Brush Company: 175 Years of Innovation, Craftsmanship, and Community

At Renner Otto, we believe that “a good idea can change the world.” Few companies embody that belief more fully than The Wooster Brush Company, which for 175 years has turned simple ideas into lasting innovations. Deeply woven into the fabric of the Wooster community, the company’s success has always been powered by its people, generations of skilled craftspeople, leaders, and families whose dedication has helped both the business and the town thrive together.

In 1851, a traveling tradesman named Adam Foss stopped in Wooster, Ohio, carrying a crate of hog bristles he’d purchased at an unclaimed freight auction. Together with his brother, Samuel, he fastened the bristles to wooden handles and sold the handmade brushes door-to-door. Wooster Brush Works (now known as The Wooster Brush Company) was born, and then grew by building on the ingenuity, hard work, and pioneering spirit that still defines it today.

A Legacy of Stability and Craftsmanship

For 175 years, Wooster® has stood as a cornerstone of its namesake community. In that time, only nine presidents have led the company, which is a testament to enduring leadership and shared values. Many of its 625 employees have spent decades there; some, more than half a century. Families now in their third, fourth, or even fifth generation at the company proudly carry on the tradition.

Through wars, depressions, and recessions, Wooster Brush has never resorted to layoffs. Its resilience is rooted in loyalty and care reflected in the company’s annual spring banquet, where employee milestones are celebrated with watches, personalized brushes, and heartfelt recognition. For many, it isn’t just a workplace; it’s family.

From Handcrafted Beginnings to the Robotic Revolution

Innovation has been part of Wooster’s DNA since its earliest days. What began with hand-nailed bristles and leather straps has evolved into a 608,000-square-foot facility that utilizes robots to automate fulfillment, picking, and packaging, while retraining (not replacing) its workforce.

In 2019, The Wooster Brush Company refreshed its brand with bold red packaging and a modernized logo that pays tribute to its roots with the inclusion of its signature angled brush replacing the T in Wooster. The company continues to blend legacy and innovation through investments in ERP systems, computerized manufacturing, and barcode-based logistics, while staying true to its values.

Protecting Ingenuity Through Intellectual Property

From the Super/Fab® roller covers and Sherlock® poles, Wooster has consistently safeguarded its innovations through patents and trademarks.

One of the company’s most enduring tributes is the Lindbeck brush, which was named for a painting contractor and trusted product tester who helped shape Wooster’s designs. In 1937 he helped originate the angular brush, which Wooster Brush was the first to manufacture. In recognition of his contribution, the company trademarked the Lindbeck name, preserving his legacy as a symbol of craftsmanship and innovation.

Wooster’s legacy of invention includes the world’s first angled brush, the Lindbeck® (1937); the iconic Shortcut® (1999), with its flexible handle that revolutionized trim work; and the more recent Hook & Hold®, for convenient mid-project brush storage. Each product reflects a balance between timeless craftsmanship and forward-thinking design.

Today, the tradition continues, and contractor feedback remains an integral part of the company’s research and development, and those relationships fuel Wooster Brush’s further innovation.

A Company Built on Community

The Wooster Brush Company’s dedication extends beyond its factory walls. It supports local organizations including the United Way, Goodwill, the Boys & Girls Club, and The Salvation Army. Employees volunteer, mentor youth, and help shape the community they proudly call home. Each summer, the company employs college students of current workers, teaching them the same values that have sustained Wooster Brush for generations.

Looking Ahead

As Wooster Brush celebrates 175 years, it does so with an eye toward a future grounded in the same values that have sustained it since 1851. Company President Ben Maibach captures this philosophy best:

“Celebrating 175 years is quite an accomplishment, and we are very excited to celebrate this milestone. The beauty of being 175 years old is that you have seen and done a lot. So, when asked about what is next, my simple answer is, ‘More of the same.’ To some, that might sound negative…but this isn’t an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ scenario.

We are not 175 years old because we make brushes a certain way or make perfect decisions in all cases. We are 175 years old because people have been, and will continue to be, our focus. At the top of the list of people are our employees and their families. For 175 years, this has been the true glue that has held our company together and allowed us to thrive.

If we put our people first, they will continue to do what they have always done — innovate, make the best brushes in the world, improve processes; to be proud of what we have accomplished but never satisfied that we are ‘there.’ Our culture mixed with our quality is what is behind us and what is in front of us.”

As Wooster Brush invests in automation, online growth, and new product design, this people-first, community mindset remains its compass.   Anniversary plans include a commemorative package on their most popular and versatile brush, the Ultra/Pro® Firm 2” Angle; a retrospective video; community celebrations; and more.

Although the paintbrush was perhaps one of the earlier tools, with origins dating back to ancient civilizations, the company has brought it into the modern age. From hand-tied bristles to computerized automation, The Wooster Brush Company stands as a living example of how craftsmanship, innovation, and community can endure and thrive for generations to come.