Inc. Names Wood Defender Power Partner Award Winner

Inc. Magazine Names Wood Defender by Standard Paints, Inc. as a 2024 Power Partner Award winner. The annual list recognizes the country's leading B2B companies that have proven track records of supporting entrepreneurs and helping companies grow.

Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, today announced its third annual Power Partner Awards. The prestigious list honors B2B organizations across the country that have proven track records supporting entrepreneurs and helping startups grow. This year’s list recognizes Wood Defender, a Standard Paints, Inc. brand, among 359 companies in marketing and advertising, health and wellness, financial services, legal, logistics, public relations, and productivity, as well as other critical areas of business.

Every company on the Inc. Power Partner award list received top marks from clients for being instrumental in helping leadership navigate the dynamic world of startups. These B2B partners support entrepreneurs across various facets of the business, including hiring, compliance, infrastructure development, cloud migration, fundraising, etc., allowing founders to focus on their core missions. “This is our definitive listing of vendors and suppliers who have demonstrated excellence in serving small- and midsize customers,” says Inc. editor in chief Mike Hofman. “As part of the vetting process, our team of editors, researchers and reporters gathered information on companies’ products and services, assessed their reputation as captured in online comments and forums, and collected customer testimonials to ensure that the sales pitch matches the actual client experience. In every case, we spoke to founders like you who were happy to attest to a vendor’s genuine commitment to a mutually beneficial business partnership. We’re happy to be the conduit for that positive word of mouth.”

Wood Defender, a trusted brand of exterior wood stains manufactured by Standard Paints, Inc., is proud to have been named to Inc. Magazine’s 2024 Power Partners list, recognizing exceptional businesses that go above and beyond to foster strong, impactful partnerships. This prestigious accolade underscores Wood Defender’s commitment to empowering contractors and businesses with top-tier products, expert training, and unparalleled customer support. “At Standard Paints, we believe in building partnerships that drive mutual success,” said Laurel McEuen, Director of Marketing at Standard Paints, Inc. “From our accredited training programs to our durable, easy-to-apply stains, we provide solutions that enhance contractor productivity and customer satisfaction. We are honored to be recognized as a Power Partner, and we look forward to continuing to support our clients with innovation and dedication.”

Wood Defender’s excellence as a partner stems from its comprehensive approach to contractor support. The brand’s American Fence Association-accredited training program equips applicators with the latest techniques and best practices, enabling them to deliver professional, high-quality results. The products themselves, known for durability and ease of application, reduce common industry challenges such as time-consuming processes, inconsistent quality, and frequent callbacks for touch-ups. With reliable formulations that provide superior UV protection and a flawless finish, Wood Defender empowers contractors to exceed customer expectations and grow their businesses.

One long-time contractor, Mark Abelson, owner of Sure Shot Stain and Seal, praised Wood Defender, saying, “The support I’ve received from Wood Defender is unmatched. From product advice to technical guidance—even after hours—their team has been there every step of the way. Their stains deliver consistent, professional results every time, and their corporate culture truly embodies putting the customer first.”

Since its founding in 1952 in Dallas, Texas, Standard Paints, Inc. has built a reputation for delivering exceptional wood protection products and industrial coatings. Wood Defender continues this legacy as The Contractor’s Choice for exterior wood staining, combining ease of use, long-lasting quality, and dedicated customer service to create lasting partnerships that fuel success.

To view the complete list of Power Partners, go to: www.inc.com/power-partner-awards/2024.

About Standard Paints, Inc. | Wood Defender

Standard Paints, Inc. is a leader in the industrial coatings industry, known for our commitment to quality, innovation, and building the fencing industry. Our premier oil-based exterior wood stain, Wood Defender, has set the standard in protective wood treatments. We continue to strive for excellence in providing solutions that meet the needs of our customers. For more information, visit our website at wooddefender.com or contact our customer service team at 800-658-KOTE.

About Inc.

Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of our community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating our future. Inc.'s award-winning work achieves a monthly brand footprint of more than 40 million across a variety of channels, including events, digital, print, video, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. Its proprietary Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since its launch as the Inc. 100 in 1982, analyzes company data to rank the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The recognition that comes with inclusion on this and other prestigious Inc. lists, such as Female Founders and Power Partners, gives the founders of top businesses the opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. For more information, visit www.inc.com.