Diamond Vogel
We embrace our past, and it shapes our future. We are as mindful of our inception as we are of our innovations. Here’s why. Our founder, Andrew Vogel, a colorful but stubborn Dutch immigrant, decided that the only paint good enough for the barns and homes in the varied and often harsh midwest climate was paint he perfected himself. So, from a modest “workshop laboratory” in Orange City, Iowa, a paint company was born.
Diamond Vogel’s story begins in Friesland, Holland, where Andrew worked in his father’s paint shop applying finishes to the homes and carriages of Dutch farmers. In 1913, the family immigrated to America. Andrew settled in northwest Iowa and soon discovered that American paints did not measure up to his family’s strict standards of appearance and performance. In 1926, with two small grinding machines, each capable of making five gallons of paint, Andrew launched Vogel Paint and Wax Company.
Following WWII, Andrew’s sons, the second generation of Vogels, carried on Andrew’s commitment to superior coatings. The company grew by supplying coatings to the expanding “short line” agricultural equipment industry. The company was also active in producing traffic paint, government coatings and architectural finishes.
The third generation grew up in the company and started on the front lines, clerking stores, cleaning vats, making paint, calling on customers. This breadth of experiences has given them an appreciation and passion for the paint business. Today, they have taken the reins and lead with dedication, experience and forward thinking resolve.
Through its history, Vogel Paint has grown both organically and through acquisition. In 1967 Vogel Paint bought the Diamond Products Manufacturing company of Marshalltown, Iowa and in the early 70’s the company started to do business as Diamond Vogel Paints® to capitalize on the strong brand recognition of each company. Other key acquisitions have expanded the company both in technology and geographic reach.
Three generations, seven manufacturing facilities, 70 service centers and millions of gallon paint later, we’re still as stubborn as Andrew. We still insist on perfecting our own formulas, producing and distributing our own products and servicing our customers with the kind of passion and commitment worthy of Andrew’s name.