CLEVELAND — The Sherwin-Williams Co. announced that it will take a fourth-quarter 2000 charge of approximately $352 million for “impairment of long-lived assets” involving goodwill associated with the company’s Cleaning Solutions, Thompson’s and Pratt & Lambert businesses. The company said the businesses’ balance-sheet valuation prior to the adjustments reflected expectations of higher sales, operating margins and cash flows than have been achieved.

Sherwin-Williams also said it plans to explore the sale of its Cleaning Solutions and Graphic Arts business units.

Chairman and CEO Christopher M. Connor said the charge for asset impairment for Thompson’s and Pratt & Lambert “does not change Sherwin-Williams’ commitment to these core businesses and our expectations for future improvement.” He said the sale of the Cleaning Solutions and Graphic Arts businesses will be explored “to better focus our resources on our remaining businesses.”