Our Company

When you work with Industrial Finishes & Systems-

You benefit from an organization with vast expertise spanning multiple industries and markets. Our team brings technological innovations and best business practices pioneered in diverse industries for the benefit of all Industrial Finishes & Systems customers.

Our History

During 1956-1957, Stuart Barr and his soon-to-be business partner worked as delivery drivers for the Autobody and Paint Supply Company. On April 1, 1958, Stuart and his partner decided to go into business together and purchased the company. The company was a wholesale distributor of auto body supplies with sales of $165,000 per year, one branch, and three employees.

In 1967, Barr bought out his partner and became the sole owner of what is now Industrial Finishes & Systems, Inc.

Automotive Division

In 1968, Industrial Finishes opened an automotive paint store in Portland, Oregon, and another branch in Roseburg, Oregon followed in the early 1970’s.

In 1990, the Bend, Oregon store was opened, followed by the acquisition of two more Oregon stores in Gresham and Medford. On April 1, 1996, the 38th anniversary of the company, the company purchased Lewis Distributing, an established a store in Salem, Oregon. A year later, Foster A & F Equipment and Paint Division in Portland was welcomed to the Industrial Finishes family.

In May 2000, Industrial Finishes purchased two additional paint stores: Bay Center Paint Supply in Coos Bay, Oregon, and Full Spectrum Auto Paint & Supply in Vancouver, Washington. Eight years later, Industrial Finishes & Systems bought Barrett Paint Supply in Reno, Nevada. June 2011 expanded Industrial Finishes’ reach to include Utah with the purchase of Automotive & Industrial Supply (AIS), adding three branch locations in Ogden, Orem and Salt Lake City. A new location was added in Logan, Utah as a result of the March 2014 acquisition of S & B Automotive Color, Inc.

Industrial Finishes & Systems continued to expand as it entered the northern California market in December 2012 with the addition of Color Supply in Woodland, California. The company expanded its presence in California with the purchase of Talley’s Paint in Napa, California in June 2013, and again in 2016-2017 in Concord, Fremont, Rancho Cordova, Bakersfield, Oxnard, City of Industry, and Pacoima. A location in Fresno was added in 2018. Again in 2018, the company opened a location in Boise, Idaho, and acquired ABSCO Paint Supply in Lafayette, Indiana. Industrial Finishes & Systems now serves customers nationwide from over 30 locations.

Industrial Division

We provide solutions for coated abrasives, packaging products, load protection, shipping supplies and adhesives. Our Industrial Divisions works with your business to reduce operating costs and manage inventories by combining quality products and consistent delivery of services.

We have been active within the particleboard, MDF, plywood, lumber and OSB industry since 1975. Our Industrial Division has grown in size and scope since then, becoming the world’s largest distributor of abrasive wide sanding belts.

We are able to service North American with multiple distribution centers. The Industrial Finishes’ sales team, customer service representatives and technical advisers have more than 200 years of experience in the panel products industry and are committed to your business and your success.

Beyond wood products, Industrial Finishes provides coatings solutions to several important markets and commercial applications. Our Industrial Division has applied their expertise to helping customers in a diverse range of industries. We work with automotive OEMs, equipment manufacturers, and many other unique industries. Let us know what challenges you face, and we’ll get to work on a solution!

Our leadership in industry solutions helps lower customer costs and improve profitability. We work hard to make sure technical knowledge and training remain a core competency. We associate with only high quality suppliers and hold them accountable for supplying products that meet the specifications called for by industry standards and client specifications

RV/Specialty Vehicle Division

In 1987, Industrial Finishes was approached with an opportunity to support a local motorhome manufacturer. From that opportunity, our RV/Specialty Vehicle Division was born. Industrial Finishes works closely with its specialty vehicle customers to provide training, Just In Time (JIT) inventory, education and product information. Our customers include both motorized and towable recreation vehicles, emergency response vehicles, marine, people-movers and trucking.

Military Division

With the introduction of Automotive & Industrial Supply (AIS) in 2011, Industrial Finishes began serving the military industry. An exclusive military certification made way for Industrial Finishes to become the premier distributor of aerospace and military supplies. AIS is proud to serve the US military as well as customers in Utah and the surrounding local areas and states.

Superior Steel Fabrication

A key acquisition for the Barr Family took place June 1, 1994, when they purchased Superior Steel Fabrication in Eugene, Oregon. The company has developed into one of the premier fabricators of precision sheet metal in the Western United States. Superior Steel Fabrication serves the construction, gaming, aviation, recreational vehicle, self-service, and solar industries.

Industrial Finishes and Systems stands on the core values of integrity, honesty, truthfulness, commitment and the motto,

“What Would Jesus Do?”

With the commitment not only to serve customers and the community with exceptional service, Industrial Finishes desires to serve Jesus Christ above all.

Stuart Barr, owner and founder, knows running a business isn’t easy, but with faith and trust in the Lord it is simpler.

“Sometimes struggles come and the accounts fail and you may lose money, but because you were trusting Christ you discover there were better things and lessons to be learned,” Barr said.

Industrial Finishes hasn’t always been a business based upon Christ.

“I didn’t have any spiritual goals when I started the company,” Barr said.

After giving his life to the Lord in 1972, Barr sat down with his employees and discussed the new way of business – God’s way. What was logical in the business world wasn’t always the road Industrial Finishes took.

“I was going to run the business the way the Bible would say to run a business. I didn’t know what that meant at the time, I just told them that is what was going to happen,” Barr said.

The company had a fresh start with new values beginning in 1972. With constant prayer and trust placed in Christ, the company has excelled and remained true to the founding core values, just with a more Christ-centered focus.

Barr’s commitment to the Lord and the company is evident,

“We haven’t arrived [as a company],” Barr said. “We have struggles and we have to pray about things. The company belongs to the Lord, we’re just along for the ride.”