The Sherwin-Williams Company provided a progress report on its Building Our Future project, including construction status of its new global headquarters, its new research and development (R&D) center, and the positive impact the project is having on the local community.

Project Progress Update

Sherwin-Williams’ Building Our Future project is a significant investment and driver of economic development in the region. When complete, the global headquarters will be approximately 1,000,000 square feet and consist of a 36-story tower, a two-story pavilion acting as the front porch to Public Square, and a parking garage. The R&D center will be a 600,000-square-foot innovation and development hub for future products and services. Construction remains on track for the company to transition to the new facilities at the end of 2024.

At the Cleveland headquarters site, the construction team installed critical skyscraper foundation components. A total of 28 building anchors were drilled deep into the earth, some reaching 300 feet below ground level. In late July, the tower crane was installed. And in August, the tower concrete foundation slab was poured. In a single day, more than 150 truckloads delivered 1500 yards of concrete, which equates to approximately 5 miles of a typical 5-foot-wide sidewalk. Most recently, the construction teams have been preparing the pavilion and garage sections for foundation work.

Similar activities have been happening at the Brecksville research and development site, but spread over multiple low-rise buildings. In the spring of this year, the construction crew prepared for the center's lab wing foundations and added the steel structure, which will provide important support for the buildings. In total, the labs will contain approximately 875 tons of steel.

Work at both sites is being done on underground utilities and plumbing, and crew sizes are growing to support the multiple scopes of work progressing through the fall. The project team continues to engage all parts of the workforce pipeline to reach crew ratios that keep the project on track for all workforce goals. Safety of the workforce in all aspects of the project remains a top priority.

Community Impact Update

Since the beginning of the project, Sherwin-Williams has worked collaboratively with state and local political, community, and religious leaders to ensure that Building Our Future helps uplift Cleveland and Northeast Ohio by creating economic opportunity. The company remains steadfast in this commitment, including meeting and striving to exceed the robust supplier inclusion and diversity requirements.

“As a city, the more Cleveland invests in the growth of local businesses, the stronger we become,” stated Cleveland Mayor, Justin M. Bibb. “My administration is committed to creating inclusive opportunities for all and attracting additional investment. I would like to thank Sherwin-Williams for their commitment to our community.”

With more than 3,500 Northeast Ohio employees, Sherwin-Williams is one of the region’s top employers and drivers of economic activity. This project will have a profound economic impact throughout the region driven by jobs, payroll, tax revenue, the growth of businesses supplying goods and services to support the project, and the recirculation of wages.

Additional positive community impacts demonstrate the growing momentum of Sherwin-Williams approach to creating opportunity for many, including:

• Sherwin-Williams has awarded Building Our Future contracts totaling $122 million to date against a total commitment of $180 million to minority-owned, female-owned, and small businesses. The company expects the final total to be well above $180 million.
• The company’s intentional process has resulted in 57 diverse firms to date being added to the project. This list is expected to grow as the procurement process is ongoing.
• Five of these firms serve in the critical minority construction management role for the project. These firms are setting direction, overseeing operations, augmenting staff, and making decisions that significantly impact the project's budget, schedule, and quality.
• The company is working with members of Cleveland’s clergy in offering the Sherwin-Williams HomeWork painter training program throughout the area. The HomeWork Program trains individuals with no previous experience to begin careers as professional painters. Nearly 70% of HomeWork graduates secure employment as professional painters.

“I have confidence Sherwin-Williams will live up to their goals of diversity, equity and inclusion outlined in their Building Our Future project, and I am pleased by the progress that has been publicly reported to date,” said Cleveland City Council President Blaine A. Griffin. “I am regularly communicating with the growing group of diverse local firms and Sherwin-Williams to ensure continuation of inclusivity, opportunities and continuous growth for minority-owned, female-owned, and small businesses.”

For more information, visit: www.sherwin-williams.com.