A Touch of Class

 The history of Arnold Painting involves six decades and four generations – but for a moment, owner Micah Arnold only wanted to herald his current team: “It’s really about these guys who are working with us day in and day out. They’re the reason we’re able to do what we do.”

Before that, however, in 1937, Micah’s great grandfather, Garnett Arnold saw an opportunity to start a business after the massive Ohio River flood that wreaked havoc, took hundreds of lives and left property owners in search of aid to rebuild. Thus, Garnett & Son was born.

“They basically did wood floor refinishing after the flood,” Micah explained.

In 1959, however, Garnett’s son, Raymond – Micah’s grandfather – saw the need had shifted to residential painting – and repainting – so he launched Raymond L. Arnold Painting Company.

But when Raymond’s son, Michael, returned from serving in Vietnam in 1974, he joined the family business, and the name was changed to Raymond L. Arnold and Son’s Painting Company.

In 2001, Micah, Michael’s son, took over the company, turned it into a LLC and renamed it Arnold Painting, which is has continued to be known.

Now located in Sellersburg, Arnold Painting is known for providing commercial and residential painting solutions, custom epoxy floors and pressure washing services. Clients have included Byerly Ford, Koetter Construction, Strohbeck Construction, arc and countless others.

“We strive to provide quality work,” Micah said. “I was raised to take pride in my work and how satisfied the customer is. It’s not just moving on from one project to the next.”

For employees of Arnold Painting, it’s not just working for yet another employer, either.

“The team I have working for me, most of my employees have been with me a lot of years. I try to take care of them,” Micah said. “I like to create a family atmosphere with my employees. They know they can come to me. I don’t see them as employees – I see them as family.”

Clients can feel the same, Micah assured. “At the end of the day, our clients can expect a quality job. We care about what we’re doing for them and are, always, trustworthy.”

The most rewarding aspect is “seeing completed projects – what they started out as versus what they are when we finish,” Micah enthused. “There are certain jobs that it’s so cool to see after we get done.”

So what comes next for Arnold Painting after this milestone anniversary? “I don’t know exactly,” Micah admitted, “But I have plans. The company will stay alive and thrive. I’m very proud. It’s not an easy industry. We all have gone through some tough times … but Arnold Painting powered through it, and now we’re bigger than ever and proud of our success.”

Article Courtesy of Extol Magazine – The Business Issue of 2019

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