East Coast, Wesco: Wesco Group acquires Albert Kemperle Inc.
Toronto, Ontario — The North American paint distribution powerhouses of Wesco Group and Albert Kemperle Inc. have joined forces, with the latter being integrated into the Wesco family. Albert and Mary Kemperle of Kemperle Auto Paint, Body and Equipment first opened their doors in Brooklyn, NY in 1940, expanding over the course of decades and […]
Think Pink: Jeep extends availability for limited edition pink hue
Windsor, Ontario — Jeep has announced a limited-edition pink hue it will offer to Canadian customers for the 2022 Wrangler—so long as they get their orders in by the end of the month. The company is calling the shade ‘Tuscadero’, which it describes as ‘a “deep and intense chromatic magenta.” It joins three other special […]
No SEMA for SATA: SATA withdraws booth from SEMA 2021 amid COVID concerns
Las Vegas, Nevada — With showtime fast approaching, SEMA exhibitors are dropping like flies as SATA announced its withdrawal from the event on Monday. Dan-Am, SATA’s U.S. distributor, stated that while the company “always looks forward to working with SATA to provide a great SEMA experience in its booth each year”, they feel compelled to back […]
Planet PPG: Company’s products protect ULA rocket that launched NASA’s Perseverance rover to Mars
Toronto, Ontario — If you use PPG coatings, your paint jobs are certified out of this world; PPG today announced that it provided aerospace sealants, coatings and adhesives to United Launch Alliance (ULA) for the ATLAS V 541 rocket that launched NASA’s Perseverance rover to Mars in July 2020. The rover landed on the Red […]
Drumming into New Role: Chad Melchert joins BASF’s Automotive Refinish Coatings division
Edmonton, Alberta — Chad Melchert was recently appointed as the Account Representative of BASF’s Automotive Refinish Coatings division in Western Canada. “It feels amazing to be welcomed into the BASF family. I’ve always taken great pride in customer service and providing true value to all the situations I’ve been a part of. These core values hold […]
Product Report: PPG introduces Waterborne Low-Gloss Clearcoat System
Strongsville, Ohio — Earlier this week PPG announced the release of their new waterborne low-gloss clearcoat system. The 2.1 Low VOC Matte and Semi-Gloss Clearcoats is intended to be used with the ENVIROBASE® High-Performance basecoat system and is available in the United States and Canada. The system consists of two premium-quality 2K acrylic urethane clears […]
Starting Strong: Uni-Select releases Q1 financial results
Toronto, Ontario — Quebec-based automotive paint manufacturer Uni-Select Inc. have reported a “strong start to the year” following the release of the company’s Q1 financial report on Thursday. The company noted a number of highlights from Q1 in the report: EBITDA(1) of $24.8 million; adjusted EBITDA(1) of $28.2 million or 7.6 percent of sales, up […]
Round Two: FinishMaster announces 2021 Hood Master challenge
Laval, Québec — Calling all spray gun-wielding artists – now’s your chance to show FinishMaster your skills and enter yourself into the running for $20,000 in prizes and the title of 2021 Hood Master. FinishMaster is back with its second-annual Hood Master contest–and the first 200 entries will receive their own 27″ mini hood, compliments of […]
New Toy: CSN St. Clair becomes first Canadian shop with FlatLine GreenTech E5 Dryer
Sarnia, Ontario — The machines are among us—more specifically among the staff of CSN St. Clair in Sarnia, Ontario, as the shop becomes the first in Canada to have a GreenTech E5 Dryer robot installed in their spray booth. With more than 40 years in the automotive refinishing industry, FlatLine is a proven name when […]
Future PPG: Investing 20 million to advance racial equity
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — PPG and the PPG Foundation announced Wednesday a commitment to invest 20 million by 2025 to address systematic racism and advance racial equity in the U.S. by funding education pathways for Black communities and people of colour. “We aim to reach diverse students and communities to champion change and empower historically underrepresented […]
