Carbit Paint Company has been a family owned and operated company in Chicago since it’s inception in 1925. It was in this year that Lester H. Westerman began selling to the Chicago market his company’s first product, a coating comprised of carbon black and bitumen from which the company name and label was derived, "Carbit."

Soon after, Lester’s brother, George, joined the company, and they became lifetime partners, incorporating in 1931. The company moved its offices and manufacturing operation three times in the near north area before settling in 1955 at its current, location at 927 W. Blackhawk St. Buildings and grounds border the Chicago River on the east, just north of the Chicago Downtown area.

In 1980, Lester’s son, David L., and George’s son, James, succeeded their fathers and became co-owners of the business. In1999, David’s son, David T., joined the company and is the plant manager.

Carbit continues to grow and is ever- evolving. Carbit continues to operate with an emphasis on close customer relationships as it closes in on 85 years of service in the paint and coatings industry.