Our History

Our family business was established five generations ago in 1886, so the craft runs deep in our blood. Founder James A. Travis started painting railroad bridges and depots out of Lampasas, Texas, and would later pass the business on to his sons Charles and L.E. (Ed) in 1916. By 1927, the family business had been relocated to San Antonio, and in 1939, the company took on its first “industrial” sandblasting and painting projects.

By 1952, L.E. (Ed) Travis, Jr., had taken the reins and expanded the work of the company across the state — so much so that his three sons — L.E. (Ed) III, Ronald, and William — joined the company in the 1970s. Each brother grew into their own related painting company, pursuing either commercial or industrial projects statewide.

Through the 1980s, Travis Industrial Painters became the premier water tank and tower painting contractor in the state of Texas, building a successful reputation as an industry leader and pioneer of new technologies. In the 1990s, the company tightened its focus on serving the South and Central Texas area and expanded its shop capabilities to meet the needs of growing industry. We are proud to operate the area’s premier industrial painting facility today because of those efforts. By this time, the fifth generation of the family had entered the business.

We value the legacy of superior service that comes with our history, but we know that our business cannot be rooted in the past. It is our goal to continue to look forward and provide solutions to our customers’ needs through superior service, attention to detail, skilled craftsmanship, and new technologies.