• Sheboygan Paint Company appointed Holly Bellmund as chief executive officer effective January 1, 2026 following the planned retirement of Paul Krueger.
• The leadership transition follows manufacturing upgrades and expanded small-lot and rapid-turn capabilities aimed at improving batch consistency and responsiveness.
• The company’s acquisition of Bradley Coatings broadened its reach in transportation and fleet equipment markets requiring durability and corrosion protection.
• Bellmund brings executive experience across specialty chemicals, product development and OEM-focused manufacturing environments.
• The company continues to focus on high-performance solvent- and water-based coating systems for metal, wood and plastic substrates.

Sheboygan Paint Company announced that Holly Bellmund has been appointed chief executive officer effective January 1, 2026. She succeeds Paul Krueger, who will retire at the end of 2025 after three years leading the family-owned industrial coatings manufacturer.

Paul Krueger, Holly Bellmund. Credit: Sheboygan Paint Company

During Krueger’s tenure, the company advanced several initiatives focused on strengthening manufacturing performance and technical capabilities. These included process upgrades to improve batch consistency, enhancements to small-lot and rapid-turn production, and the acquisition of Bradley Coatings. The Bradley acquisition expanded the company’s presence in transportation and fleet equipment markets and added established customer relationships in segments that prioritize durability, corrosion protection and efficient application processes. The company cited Krueger’s leadership during this period as it invested in long-term operational improvements.

Bellmund brings more than a decade of executive experience in specialty chemical and manufacturing environments. Her background spans engineering, sales and commercial strategy, with experience connecting formulation development to field performance and customer requirements. She has worked extensively with industrial, agricultural and equipment OEMs, which are core segments for Sheboygan Paint Company.

“Sheboygan Paint Company has made significant investments to support more responsive manufacturing and to strengthen our technical capabilities,” said Jay Brownrigg, chairman of the board. “The Bradley Coatings acquisition, along with upgrades in batching, dispersion and quality systems, reflects our focus on customers who need reliable supply, consistent performance and support on application and substrate challenges. Holly’s experience leading product-driven manufacturing organizations positions her well to guide the next stage of growth.”

Bellmund said she sees opportunity in markets experiencing changes in equipment design, durability requirements and throughput demands. “Customers today are balancing cost, performance and production-line efficiency,” she said. “Sheboygan Paint Company has a strong technical team and a manufacturing footprint that can support custom formulations, short lead times and specialized performance requirements. I look forward to working with the team to continue strengthening our capabilities in corrosion protection, coatings for heavy-use equipment and solutions tailored to transportation, agriculture and industrial OEMs.”

The board said the leadership transition aligns with the company’s ongoing focus on strategic investment, manufacturing reliability and long-term customer relationships. Sheboygan Paint Company continues to concentrate on high-performance solvent- and water-based coating systems for metal, wood and plastic substrates, supported by in-house formulation expertise and a long history of serving North American manufacturers.

This leadership transition reflects broader trends shaping Business Strategies across the industrial coatings sector, including investment in manufacturing reliability and long-term customer support.