Sherwin-Williams Anti-Graffiti Efforts Win National Award.

Business Editors

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 21, 2000

The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW) was named today recipient of the National Council to Prevent Delinquency's Partner in Prevention award for its exceptional contributions to the Council's Anti-Graffiti Project.

The Council (NCPD) is a national nonprofit organization devoted to preventing the dangerous or illegal misuse of consumer products by young people. The Anti-Graffiti Project provides valued curriculum materials to schools, theft prevention training to retailers and hands-on assistance to cities, towns and counties in shaping and implementing anti-graffiti and graffiti abatement programs.

Announcing the award, NCPD Director Robert Hills said, "Since the Council was founded six years ago, we have helped reduce the impact of graffiti vandalism in dozens of neighborhoods and communities across America. None of that would have been possible without the generous and unwavering support of The Sherwin-Williams Company."

"The company," Hills continued, "has provided funding for the national program; paint and supplies for neighborhood cleanups; and technical and field support wherever and whenever asked. They have been a partner in the best sense of the word and we're pleased to recognize their role in the Council's creation and progress."

Accepting the award for Sherwin-Williams, Christopher M. Connor, Chairman and CEO noted, "We're pleased to accept this award and hopeful that Sherwin-Williams can continue to make a real impact against graffiti crime. This company takes the misuse of our products and those of other paint manufacturers very seriously."

Connor further commented that, "Through our support of the Council, Keep America Beautiful's Graffiti Hurts campaign and other anti-graffiti efforts, we hope to make a positive change in the values and behavior of the small number of young people who are committing this crime. This company makes products to preserve and beautify, not to deface the neighborhoods we serve. As long as graffiti vandalism remains a public concern, Sherwin-Williams will be involved in the fight to eradicate it."

The Sherwin-Williams Company, established in Cleveland in 1866, is a $5 billion manufacturer, distributor and retailer of paint, other coatings and related products. It is the largest paint company in the United States and one of the largest in the world. Well known brands include Sherwin-Williams(R), Dutch Boy(R), Pratt & Lambert(R), Martin-Senour(R), Thompson's(R), Minwax(R) and Krylon(R). The company has over 25,500 employees and operates 2,650 paint stores and 52 manufacturing plants worldwide.