MISSISSAUGA, Ontario - March 27, 2009 -- The 2009 PPG Platinum Distributor Conference was a wave of success. Open to all Platinum Distributor owners and their key employees, the conference took place at the Green Valley Ranch and Resort in Las Vegas in February.  “In today’s economic whirlwind, it is critical to stay on top of the latest industry trends, economies of scale, latest products and value added programming,” said Tim Yetman, GM of Advanced Coatings Ltd., Calgary, AB. 

The theme/slogan of the conference was “Making Waves” – coinciding with the full launch of PPG’s waterborne products, and the important role the new products will have in shaping future successes. PPG believes in these waterborne products, and is confident that they, along with the full portfolio of existing brands and products, will continue to “make waves” within the industry. The conference allowed for networking with other Platinum Distributors throughout North America, while addressing daily challenges they may come across.

“We would like PPG to know how much we appreciated being invited to participate in PPG’s 2009 Platinum Distribution conference,” said Gaétan Trudel and Daniel Montgrain of DG Peinture, Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC. “The meetings and conferences were extremely interesting and covered all the aspects relevant to our business. We also enjoyed the trade show, which covered all aspects of the collision repair business and varied in what it had to offer.”

Platinum Distribution is well positioned to “ride the wave” in order to achieve sales growth and long-term success within the respective businesses; therefore, PPG demonstrated its efforts to enhance relationships with distribution at the conference. The conference was also an opportunity to help distributors understand PPG’s direction and long-term vision of being the world’s leading coatings and specialty products and services company.

This was reiterated by Brian Custeau, President Custeau Peinture, Inc., Québec City, QC. “The conference was very beneficial in helping us understand the direction of PPG and their communicating long term vision. This vision is savvy in the sense of deliverables for distributors to differentiate in each of our marketplaces. We are confident that 2009 will show an increase in sales and demonstrates the true meaning of a 20 year partnership.”

• Overall Sales % Growth: Pièces d’Auto La Malbaie, QC
• Overall Sales $ Increase: Lordco Auto Parts, BC
• Fleet/CPC % Increase: Gard-X Auto Refinish Supplies, ON
• Fleet/CPC $ Increase: Spectrum Coatings, MB
• *Based on 2008 sales vs. 2007