Peters Paint & Wall Covering, Inc.

by the Charleston Regional Business Journal, May 26, 2008
(Click here for a PDF version of this article)

Living the legacy of customer service and a strong work ethic, Tom Peters is following in his dad’s footsteps. He and his team at Peters Paint & Wall Covering, Inc. live by a standard that was first set by Ben Peters, “the brick man” of Charleston, an icon in the South Carolina construction industry, now retired. He taught his son that one has to always justify his existence in the eyes of the customer, and Peters strives to do that every day.

Celebrating nearly 30 years in business, the company set a goal of elevating the commercial paint and wall covering industry to a new level here. Since buying out his original business partner several years ago, Peters has since had the latitude to make key business decisions that have affected the strategic direction of the business. Most notable was the addition of three seasoned staff members: Patricia Diamond, with 20 years of experience in account management; Steven Taylor, former project manager at Gulf Stream Construction; and Maybank Cain who has a business degree from Wofford College. Veteran local painter Robert Larson has been with Peters Paint & Wall Covering
for 17 years.

The skills his dad taught him as a parttime wallpaper hanger in his youth did not surface again until Peters was in pharmacy school. Upon graduation in 1980, he had two employees and a long client list. Business continued from Peters’ house until 1985 hen he landed the first large job at The Omni Hotel, now Charleston Place. Peters Paint & Wall Covering is considered one of the top painting companies in the tri-county area. Some of the projects on their resume include Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community, King and Queen Parking Garage, Wentworth Street Mansion, Francis Marion Hotel and the Daimler Chrysler facility.

Peters attributes the company’s success to its understanding that when a job is awarded, the selection is based on the company’s ability to meet the budget and
function as team players regarding schedule, performance and delivery of the product.
The staff understands what is expected of it as a member of the construction team and strives to meet the demands of the opportunity.

“We are proud of the integrity and commitment set by my father’s example and this is still how we earn customer loyalty and justify our existence each and every day,” Peters says.

For more information please visit the Web site at www.peterspaint.net, which features the company portfolio, typical product information and unit pricing.