Our History: Four Generations of Craftmanship

Our History: Four Generations of Craftsmanship

1931 – A Business is Born

  • R.V. Anderson, a World War I veteran, establishes a painting contractor business in Jamestown, NY, offering brush and spray painting on “everything, everywhere.”

1930s–1960s – Regional Growth

  • The company becomes a trusted name in construction and restoration throughout Western New York and Pennsylvania.

  • Notable projects include painting the 3rd Street Bridge in Jamestown and Brooks Hall at Allegheny College.

1982 – A New Name, Same Values

  • R.V.’s son, Louis Anderson, carries on the trade and officially forms Ideal Coatings, Inc., expanding the business’s services and reputation.

1985 – Milestone Project

  • Ideal Coatings completes its first major industrial project: preparing and coating 100,000 square feet of factory flooring—still in service today.

2000s–Today – Third Generation Leadership

  • Rodney Anderson, R.V.’s grandson, takes ownership of Ideal Coatings, leading the company into the modern era of industrial, commercial, and residential services.

Present Day – Fourth Generation Joins the Team

  • Rodney’s daughter, Julia, and her husband, Brandon Heitzenrater, become active in the company—continuing the Anderson family legacy into its fourth generation.

Now – A Full-Service Coatings Company

  • Ideal Coatings now offers a wide range of services including:

    • Epoxy flooring

    • Safety line application

    • Hot water power washing

    • Machine & pipe painting

    • Concrete repair & resurfacing

    • Interior & exterior painting

  • Serving the Chautauqua region and beyond with a commitment to quality, safety, and reliability.

Historic photo of Brooks Hall building being painted by R.V. Anderson Painting Contractor. Scaffolding and workers are visible on the facade. The text credits Tremco MFG Co. for providing paint. Cars are parked in front.
Group of men posing outdoors in black and white
Historic water tower in Falconer, NY, with trees and vintage cars in the foreground, dated 1947.
Workers on scaffolding painting a large bridge over a river, with dense trees in the background, in a black and white photograph. "R.V. Anderson painting contractor" is written at the bottom left.
Industrial garage with epoxy-coated floor and overhead hoses
Interior of a gymnasium with a basketball hoop, high ceilings, and seating along the walls. The floor has basketball court markings.
Black and white photo of a large multi-story brick building with numerous windows, an American flag on the roof, and "R.V. Anderson, Painting-Decorating, Jamestown, N.Y." text at the bottom left.
Scaffolding structure with workers and R.V. Anderson sign
The image shows a construction or renovation project in a building interior, with scaffolding set up. The space appears to be an auditorium or theater, with seating visible in the background. The sign "R. V. Anderson Painting Decorating" indicates pa
Black-and-white photo of an auditorium with rows of empty chairs, a stage with a piano, a large wall clock, and decorative wall panels. The photo is labeled with 'R. V. Anderson Painting and Decorating.'"
White industrial building with Cargill logo against a cloudy sky.