CLEVELAND - Paint and coating manufacturer The Sherwin-Williams Co., Cleveland, announced its financial results for the year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2012. Compared to the same periods in 2011, consolidated net sales increased $768.8 million, or 8.8 percent, to $9.53 billion in the year and increased $151.4 million, or 7.3 percent, to $2.22 billion in the quarter due primarily to higher paint sales volume in the company’s Paint Stores Group and selling price increases. Acquisitions increased consolidated net sales approximately 0.9 percent in the year and in the quarter. Unfavorable currency translation rate changes decreased consolidated net sales 1.8 percent in the year and 1.0 percent in the quarter.
Net sales in the Paint Stores Group increased 13.2 percent to $5.41 billion in the year and increased 9.8 percent to $1.25 billion in the quarter due primarily to higher paint sales volume across all end market segments as well as higher year-over-year selling prices. Net sales from stores open for more than 12 calendar months increased 12.5 percent in the year and 9.2 percent in the quarter over last year's comparable periods.