In Memoriam: Cal Sanders of U-Pol

Stockertown, Pennsylvania — November 16, 2016 — It is with great regret that we must report the passing of Cal Sanders. Sanders was the founder of U-POL USA, a manufacturer of automotive refinishing products specializing in fillers, coatings, aerosols, adhesives and paint related products.

However, many in the industry knew Sanders personally from his years working on numerous committees and industry programs to help build a better industry for all of us. His son, Michael, is currently Vice President of North America for U-POL. He shared the following statement following the 2016 SEMA Show.

“Cal loved this industry and he spent the last 40 years working hard to build up businesses and make the industry better. As I cleaned out his things in his house, I found old plaques from when he was involved with different committees and different industry programs. Over the past three weeks I have received calls, emails, texts and this week had many people stop by the booth to pay their respects to Cal. Every single one of them was remembering a time they had shared with Cal. Some were recent but most were 20-plus years ago. Each of the people paying their respects told a story that was ‘classic’ Cal. Whether it was how he taught them how to sell, encouraged them to make the right decision, mentored them in this business or just when Cal made them laugh hysterically. It is very touching to know that Cal had such an impact on people’s lives, just as he did for my sister and myself. I was lucky to have worked with him over the last 13 years and can recall the same memories of Cal as all the people who have reached out. He was a great father, great mentor and business partner and he will be missed.”

Zubair “Zuby” Siddiqui, owner of Crescent Industries, knew Cal Sanders well and also shares his reminiscences.

“I knew him for over 30 years, and he was just a super guy,” says Siddiqui. “He was down to earth, a good businessman and honourable. He was my hero. He believed giving his time to industry committees and programs was just something we had to do for the advancement of the industry.”