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This picture was taken in the early 1960's

Prager Brush Company was founded in 1951 by Hans Prager, an immigrant from Germany. For the first two years he sold paint brushes, on the road, that were manufactured by a friend of his in New York. During that time he was able to establish contacts for various raw materials and made the decision to start his own production. He leased a small loft space on Marietta Street in northwest Atlanta, purchased the basic machinery, and hired a small number of employees. His business grew steadily over the next nine years to the point that he knew he needed more room. In early 1962 he purchased a building site on Echo Street, a short distance away, and had a new factory and distribution warehouse built. In 1967, due to more growth, this building was expanded to 52,000 sq ft where it remains one of Prager Brush’s key assets. It is near downtown Atlanta only moments from Coca Cola world headquarters, Georgia Institute of Technology, Phillip’s Arena, and the Georgia Dome.

In 1970 Mr. Prager sold the business to Consolidated Foods Corporation (now Sara Lee Corporation), located in Chicago. Even though roller manufacturing was added and sales continued to rise, Consolidated decided, after eight years, to “spin off” Prager Brush along with five other companies in an effort to streamline its holdings. A small business investment company, Narragansett Capital Corporation, and Prager’s key management team, purchased Prager in a leveraged buyout in early 1978. Narragansett remained a partner until 1982, at which time Prager Brush purchased and retired all of its stock.

Under the leadership of its president and majority shareholder, Howard D. Williams, Jr., Prager Brush Company expanded throughout the United States during the 1980’s and began to build a reputation of quality at an affordable price. Mr. Williams retired in 1991 and later sold his interest in Prager back to the company.

The current President and CEO is Leonard P. Butler, Jr. He started with Prager Brush Company in 1974 and has been involved in all areas of the business. In 2002 he finalized the purchase of Florida Roller & Brush, Inc., a manufacturing and wholesale distribution company located in Melbourne, Florida. As a result of this acquisition, Prager has seen a significant increase in brush sales throughout the “Sunshine State”.

Prager Brush Company, Inc. is a privately owned corporation.

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