Did you know that PPG offers Commercial Truck Estimating classes for both entry-level and experienced estimators? These two courses are directed at improving critical estimating skills that are needed in today’s competitive commercial fleet environment.

Fundamentals of Commercial Truck Estimating

For Entry-level or Limited-experience Estimators, Facility Owners and Managers

This interactive two-day class will be taught by an industry professional with extensive knowledge in fleet repair. This class is geared toward estimators and managers looking for an introduction to the basics of estimating. Course content will help estimators and managers better understand how to write a more accurate fleet repair estimate. Also included is hands-on use of the ADJUSTRITE^® estimating system.

By focusing on the mechanics of the estimate, this class will have an immediate effect upon the profitability of your facility. Estimate training will concentrate on commercial vehicles (Class 3-8 vehicles and box units).

Topics covered include:

• Estimating language
• How to prepare a better estimate
• Missed opportunities on an estimate
• Using the estimate as a marketing tool
• Helping the customer understand the estimate
• Insurance company acceptance through accuracy
• Increased profitability
• Improving cycle time

View the Course Description and Registration Form

Download the Course Schedule

Advanced Skills in Commercial Truck Estimating

For Experienced Estimators, Adjusters, Facility Owners and Managers

This interactive two-day class will be taught by an industry professional with extensive knowledge in heavy equipment estimating. The class is geared toward experienced estimators and managers looking for in-depth estimate training. Course content will help estimators and managers write a more accurate repair estimate on complex losses using computerized systems. The Adjustrite Commercial Estimating System will be used in this training; however, attendees can bring their own computerized estimating system if available. Use of a computerized system is a necessary requirement due to the significant damages that will be estimated in the class.

By focusing on the advanced mechanics of the estimate, this class will have an immediate effect upon improving accuracy and efficiency when handling complex claims. Estimate training will concentrate on Class 7-8 commercial vehicles.

Topics covered include:

• Review of proper estimating technique
• In-depth analysis estimating cabs and frames
• Overview and estimating exhaust after-treatment systems
• Trouble codes
• Missed opportunities on an estimate
• Mistakes even experienced estimators make
• Insurance company acceptance through accuracy
• Increased profitability and improved cycle time

View the Course Description and Registration Form

Download the Course Schedule

The 2016 Limited Edition VIBRANCE COLLECTION^® custom finishes Metal Sign is now available. This year's sign features an awesome pink bike painted by Kyle Morley at Xecutionstyle.  This sign will make an awesome addition to your collection. Supplies are limited, so you better get yours fast!

Price: $35.00 Part No. VBMETSGN16

The sign is available through online ordering.  

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – March 9, 2016
PPG Commercial Coatings and the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) honored CAM Superline with the 2016 Green Manufacturing Award. Based in Waynesboro, Pa., CAM Superline manufactures dumper trailers for the construction and excavating industries. The award was presented to company president Sandy Poffenberger at the 28th annual NATM national convention and trade show held in Las Vegas, Nev., at the South Point Hotel Feb. 10–12.

The Green Manufacturing Award honors the NATM member with the year’s best solution or innovation that has a positive impact on the environment. This may include improvements in material utilization, design advancement, process or equipment enhancements, emissions reductions, recycling methods and other environmentally sensitive areas. CAM Superline earned the 2016 award by adopting several green technologies and practices that reduced the impact on the environment and helped lower costs. Steps CAM Superline took included:

• Upgrading to energy-efficient lighting for its manufacturing facility
  • Inside: moving to T5 high bay fluorescent lighting from 400-watt mercury-vapor lighting;
  • Outside: moving to high-efficiency LED lighting with daylight sensors and property lights;
  • Energy costs were cut in half.

• Eliminating use of a contaminant pre-paint wash
  • A pre-paint wash containing phosphate and molybdenum was replaced with an environmentally acceptable zirconium wash. Phosphate and molybdenum in wastewater negatively affect the Chesapeake Bay watershed; chemicals entering the bay can harm humans and hurt the survival, growth and reproduction of fish and wildlife. 
  • In addition, operational efficiencies reduced the use of the zirconium-based wash by 28 percent over the last two years.

• Decreasing VOC emissions
  • Emissions from paint processes have declined by 1,808.80 pounds between 2013 and 2015, despite a 15 percent increase in trailer production.

• Implementing recycling programs throughout the company
  • All cardboard, paper, wood, steel, used toner cartridges and skids are collected and sent out for recycling purposes. Reusable skid material is used throughout production storage areas and for shipping purposes

• Cultivating land
  • Land not part of the company’s operations is now used to farm sorghum, a high-energy, drought-tolerant crop for livestock feed. Sorghum requires one third less water for production compared to other feedstocks.

With the noted changes in its operations, CAM Superline earned the 2016 Green Manufacturing Award. A cash gift that the winner may donate to a charitable organization is part of the award. CAM Superline chose St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude’s is one of the world's premier centers for research and treatment of catastrophic diseases in children.

Ron Yarnell, PPG OEM sales manager, states that the Green Manufacturing Award was established to encourage NATM members to implement ecologically sound programs. Award contenders must present case studies that demonstrate improved, ecologically conscious performance in their operations. Entrants are also required to provide documentation of the green initiatives they have implemented. Entries are judged by the NATM executive committee.

“We at PPG believe that we have a responsibility to minimize the impact of our operations on the environment,” said Yarnell. “When we see a company like CAM Superline make significant improvements in the way it works, and those improvements benefit the environment, then we know our commitment and our investment in the Green Manufacturing Award is the right thing to do.”

Yarnell also pointed out that the Green Manufacturing Award has become the trailer industry’s most important annual charitable event. This year, several trailer-related companies—Optronics International, Dexter Axle, the Carlstar Group and Champion Hoist—joined major sponsor PPG in supporting the award.

The NATM represents manufacturers of light- and medium-duty trailers as well as a wide range of suppliers to the industry. The organization promotes universal recognition of safety and quality in trailer manufacturing to the trailer industry and the general public. NATM works to improve the trailer industry through the promotion of compliance with its Guidelines and other initiatives. The association has more than 800 member companies in the United States, Canada, Mexico and other countries.

PPG Commercial Coatings offers a full range of coating technologies for the commercial transportation and light industrial markets, including polyurethanes, alkyds, epoxies, polyurea, waterborne, pretreatment chemicals and powder coatings. PPG Commercial Coatings products are marketed under several brand names including DELFLEET^® Evolution, DELFLEET ESSENTIAL^®, Commercial Performance Coatings and AMERCOAT^®.

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – March 15, 2016
An immaculate 1939 Oldsmobile convertible sporting a custom-mixed metallic PPG ENVIROBASE^® High Performance finish by renowned painter Charley Hutton won the 53rd annual Ridler Award at the recent 2016 Detroit Autorama held at Cobo Hall on the city’s waterfront. The highly revered Ridler Award is presented to the most outstanding custom car or truck making its debut appearance at the Autorama, an event—now in its 64th year—held every winter in the Motor City. It was Hutton’s fourth Ridler honor. Previous wins came in 2005, 2007 and 2013. It was also the fourth time in nine years that an entry painted with PPG Automotive Refinish products took the prize.

Appropriately nicknamed “Olds Cool,” the gleaming custom build is owned by Bill and Debbie Thomas of Georgetown, Texas. The car was meticulously constructed over four years by Harold Chapman and his team of talented craftsmen at Customs & Hot Rods of Andice, also of Georgetown.

Hutton, regarded as one of the most accomplished and gifted painters in the custom car world, uses PPG Automotive Refinish products exclusively. He painted Olds Cool at his shop, Charley Hutton’s Color Studio, in Nampa, Idaho. Hutton is well-known for his uncanny ability to select and mix just the right colors to match a car’s style and character, giving it a distinctive look worthy of award-winning recognition.

In this case, the car’s custom color, Kona Brown, was personally created by Hutton. He used PPG Envirobase High Performance waterborne products and the GLOBAL REFINISH SYSTEM^™ brand D8152 Performance + Glamour Clearcoat to give Olds Cool its unique finish, ensuring that this car would stand apart from the competition.

“Winning the Ridler is a special honor,” said Hutton. “I always appreciate the opportunity to work with highly skilled craftsmen that have such passion and drive. God blesses everyone with different talents, and the best part is working together to help build someone’s dream. The Olds is beautiful, and the key to our success has been working with PPG’s Envirobase High Performance waterborne basecoat. Using Envirobase High Performance products made it possible to create the exact finish we wanted. When mixing a custom color, Envirobase High Performance paint always exceeds my expectations; the colors that we’re able to achieve are so clean and brilliant.”

Hutton gained a national reputation with featured appearances on Hot Rod TV, TLC’s Overhaulin’ and the Discovery Channel’s American Hot Rod. His 2016 Ridler Award gives him a significant credential to add to his already remarkable resume that includes the Barrett-Jackson Cup along with several Street Rod of the Year, Custom Rod of the Year and America’s Most Beautiful Roadster awards and many other top prizes.

The Ridler Award is officially known as the Don Ridler Memorial Award. It was established in 1964, named after the man who made the Detroit Autorama the nation’s premier custom car show. To qualify for the award, a car must debut at the Detroit Autorama. Entries are judged on creativity, engineering and workmanship. From the initial field of competitors, eight cars—known as the “Great Eight”—are chosen as finalists. The winner is selected from this elite group. The owner of the winning car receives a cash award and a special embroidered jacket along with the greater prize of the coveted Ridler Award trophy representing the ultimate in custom design brilliance.;

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD^™

At PPG (NYSE: PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 130 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.3 billion in 2015. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

The PPG Logo, Bringing innovation to the surface, and Envirobase are registered trademarks and Global Refinish System is a trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – March 8, 2016
PPG Commercial Coatings has added F4932 2.1 VOC Urethane Surfacer to its DELFLEET^® Evolution product lineup. F4932 is a high-build gray urethane surfacer with excellent fill properties.

The new surfacer offers characteristics designed to enhance and maximize shop productivity. F4932 provides exceptional flexibility on small and large applications and can be applied with a roller as well as with conventional, compliant and HVLP spray equipment. The new surfacer delivers high build and sands easily. In addition, it is fast-drying, often in as little as one hour. F4932 is also chromate-free and compliant for all regions in the U.S. and Canada.

“F4932 is the latest example of PPG’s ongoing commitment to developing advanced fleet coatings technology,” said J.J. Wirth, PPG Commercial Coatings brand manager. “This is an easy product to apply, and one that will help speed shop throughput and ensure the high-quality results our customers expect with PPG products. We’re pleased to add this to our Delfleet Evolution brand.”

PPG Commercial Coatings offers a full range of coating technologies for the commercial transportation and light industrial markets, including polyurethanes, alkyds, epoxies, polyurea, waterborne, pretreatment chemicals and powder coatings. PPG Commercial Coatings products are marketed under several brand names including Delfleet Evolution, DELFLEET ESSENTIAL^®, Commercial Performance Coatings and AMERCOAT^®.

PPG: BRINGING INNOVATION TO THE SURFACE®

PPG Industries’ vision is to be the world’s leading coatings company by consistently delivering high-quality, innovative and sustainable solutions that customers trust to protect and beautify their products and surroundings. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG provides added value to customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in more than 70 countries around the world. Reported net sales in 2015 were $15.3 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPGIndustries on Twitter.

The PPG Logo, Bringing innovation to the surface, Delfleet, Delfleet Essential and Amercoat are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio – March 24, 2016 
PPG Automotive Refinish has recognized Color Systems of Warwick, R.I., as its 2015 Platinum Distributor of the Year. Bob Wenzinger, director of the PPG Platinum Distributor program, presented the award at the annual PPG Platinum Distributor Conference held February 25–28 at the Green Valley Resort in Las Vegas. Steven Choiniere, Color Systems president and owner, and sales manager Steve Lauro attended the conference and accepted the honor on behalf of the company. Michael McGarry, PPG president and CEO, and John Outcalt, PPG vice president, Global Automotive Refinish, also participated in the presentation.

“We are proud to present the Distributor of the Year award, an annual award that exemplifies the tradition and success of the Platinum Distributor program,” said Wenzinger. “The award recognizes a company for outstanding performance, loyalty, product knowledge, and customer service and support. Color Systems has excelled in every area. It is a privilege to honor Color Systems as the Platinum Distributor of the Year.”

“When the award was announced I was extremely surprised and genuinely delighted,” said Choiniere. “Not for myself but for everyone at Color Systems. We work very hard all year long, and we’ve been growing. Getting noticed for our efforts is rewarding and gratifying.”

Color Systems is a second-generation family business. It was started in 1982 by Choiniere’s older brother, Michael, as an offshoot of the family’s successful auto parts business, Carparts, Inc., which was established by their father, Frank, in 1971. Steven Choiniere, fresh out of college, joined Color Systems at the time of its inception. The two companies operated side by side in the same building, as distinct entities, with separate staffs. In 2008, the auto parts business was sold so the brothers could concentrate on paint distribution.

In October of 2011, Color Systems decided to promote only PPG products and became a Platinum Distributor. “It was the best business decision we ever made,” Choiniere said. “Going single-line with the best paint company in the world was smart. I’m very happy we did what we did.” The company, with its 14 full-time employees, has since established itself as the go-to paint distributor among collision centers throughout Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Much of Color Systems’ success can be attributed to its emphasis on building customer relationships that are based on trust and service, a practice that reflects the company’s marketing tagline, “More than just paint.” The company’s standing with its customers is so strong that conversions to PPG ENVIROBASE^® High Performance waterborne products are often made simply because of customers’ respect for Color Systems’ recommendations. Customers receive the complete support of Color Systems’ technical staff. Consequently, more than 95 percent of Color Systems’ collision customers, despite being located in non-regulated regions, are using the Envirobase High Performance brand.

In keeping with its commitment to provide its customers with exceptional products and service, as well as to make itself a more productive and efficient organization, Color Systems takes advantage of PPG’s MVP support offerings and regularly participates in a Platinum Distributor forum group and PPG distributor training programs.

The PPG Platinum Distributor program began as a loyalty and support initiative for PPG single-line distributors with the ultimate goal of providing exceptional service and benefits for PPG Refinish customers. The program delivers competitive advantages to its participants by aligning the technology, training and customer support of PPG with the entrepreneurship, customer awareness, local market knowledge and service capability of the independent distributor.

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

At PPG (NYSE: PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 130 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.3 billion in 2015. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and the PPG Logo and Envirobase are registered trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
 

More than 16,600 students trained in 2015

PPG Automotive Refinish continues to intensify its dedication to professional training in the automotive refinish industry. While over 16,600 students participated in PPG’s product, distributor and MVP training courses in 2015—more than those trained by any other automotive paint company—PPG foresees an ongoing need to keep its customers and business partners up to date in all matters concerning collision refinish and commercial coatings. To address the challenge, the company will offer an expanded array of classes throughout 2016, with subjects ranging from basic and advanced product line training to custom painting techniques, business management, shop operations and customer service.

“PPG’s commitment to training is the strongest in the industry,” said Randy Cremeans, PPG director of training. “We understand that training is a continuous process; it’s never complete, especially with the ongoing changes we see in this industry. And it’s absolutely critical to our customers’ success. Everyone associated with a PPG collision center or distributorship has access to our training; that training ensures we all stay at the forefront of our industry.”

Courses will be available in 16 state-of-the-art PPG Business Development Centers in the United States and Canada. Specific locations are being upgraded with new equipment and remodeled to accommodate the increased demand. PPG trainers will also travel to numerous vocational schools, PPG distributors and other PPG-affiliated locations across North America.

“The refinish industry is ever-changing—and changing faster than ever,” added Cremeans. “Our classes have to reflect that. Technicians need to know how to work with the latest finishes; managers need to know the latest productivity processes and techniques. There’s also increased interest in custom and restoration work, and we’re covering that as well. Training is a large part of our investment in our customers; it’s an investment we’re happy to make.”

PPG intends to increase training opportunities with more courses at more locations. Classes are offered in:

• Collision refinish—new products, color theory and application of new three- and four-stage finishes, coating systems certification and paint shop productivity training;
• Commercial coatings—fleet refinishing and repair, protective and marine coatings, commercial truck estimating and commercial performance coatings;
• Distributor operations;
• MVP Green Belt and business training;
• Custom painting, restoration, airbrushing and pinstriping.

Class schedules will continue to be announced throughout the year.

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for more than 130 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.3 billion in 2015. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.

We protect and beautify the world is a trademark and the PPG Logo is a registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.