Dallas-based Jones-Blair said the sale is the result of a strategic decision to divest its architectural-paint business, which sells products to painting contractors and consumers, and to focus on its two core businesses -- Neogard and Industrial Coatings. The Neogard business is a producer of waterproofing, roofing, wall, and floor coatings.

Kent Child, president of Professional Paint, said his company had originally planned to acquire essentially all of Jones-Blair's operations when plans for the deal were originally announced last year. The companies agreed during negotiations, however, that the purchase would include only Jones-Blair's architectural-paint business. "That's really the focus of our business," Child said.

The acquisition does not include any Jones-Blair manufacturing operations, and Child said production would be shifted to existing Professional Paint locations; the company operates five production plants. "We have plenty of capacity," Child said.

Professional Paint, based in Denver, is the parent company of six other regional paint companies, including Frazee Paint, San Diego; General Paint, Vancouver, British Columbia; Hanley Paint, El Paso, TX; Kwal Paint, Denver; Parker Paint, Tacoma, WA; and Sophir-Morris Paint, Omaha.

Professional Paint said the Jones-Blair purchase reflects its strategy to acquire paint companies that offer access to new growth markets with established regional brands.