Issue link: https://ppgrefinish-na.uberflip.com/i/1042094
rail tours of Alaska, were very interested when they learned Stalder sold his stake in an auto body shop and opened AIP. "Prior to AIP, Alaska Railroad and Holland America would send their locomotives and passenger cars down to the lower 48 states for restoration work," says Stalder. "This could get costly when you factor in shipping fees along with the travel expense for company officials who would take multiple trips to inspect the work. So there was definitely an unmet need in the market." After finding his niche, Stalder needed to find a production facility with rail track connections, a ceiling with clearance for 19- to 23-foot-high trains and plenty of floor space to maneuver railcars that measure 88 feet in length. Building such a facility was cost prohibitive. But Stalder found ALASKA INDUSTRIAL PAINT RESTORES RAILROAD HISTORY WITH PPG'S HELP the perfect place in a decommissioned power plant designed to accommodate railcars loaded with coal. Stalder also credits PPG products and support for helping AIP achieve excellence. His workforce of 20 people mainly uses a PPG epoxy primer and the DELFLEET ® Evolution system supplied by Carquest Auto Parts of Anchorage and serviced by Roy Jensen, commercial account manager. Providing additional support are PPG's Andy Ganderton, commercial territory manager, and Ron Wolfe, territory manager. "Back when I was co-owner of a collision shop, I became so impressed with PPG's products and service commitment that when I opened AIP, working with PPG again was an easy choice," comments Stalder. "Moving forward, I can't see using any other brand." 23