The Sherwin-Williams Company announced preliminary unaudited sales and earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2021.
The fourth quarter of 2021 consolidated net sales increased approximately 6.1% compared to the prior year.
“While we met our consolidated fourth quarter net sales guidance and demand remains robust, we are disappointed in our weaker than expected earnings results in the quarter,” said Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, John G. Morikis.
“Our lower than expected earnings relative to our prior guidance is related to a shortfall in The Americas Group, where sales were below our guidance due to slower than expected improvement in raw material availability and COVID-related labor headwinds in December.
“While availability of some raw materials has improved slightly, others including select resins and additives specific to our professional contractor products remain in tight supply. Logistics and transportation issues have further impacted the supply chain.
“Additionally, we faced meaningful labor challenges in The Americas Group in December related to the COVID Omicron variant, as our workforce, including store managers, field sales reps and drivers, experienced reduced staff availability and store hours in some locations.
2022 Outlook
“As we enter 2022, demand remains strong across the majority of our end markets, though we expect raw material availability and COVID-related issues to persist through the first quarter.
“Raw material and other costs remain elevated, and we continue to respond with pricing actions in every Group to offset higher costs, including a 12% price increase in The Americas Group effective February 1st. We have continued to invest in our business, including adding 50 million gallons of incremental architectural capacity that is now online. Additionally, we opened 79 paint stores in the U.S. and Canada during 2021, including 32 in the fourth quarter,” concluded John G. Morikis.
