Issue link: https://ppgrefinish-na.uberflip.com/i/981524
PAINTERS SUPPLY NAMED PLATINUM DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR PPG honored Painters Supply & Equipment Company (PSE) of Taylor, Mich., as its 2017 Platinum Distributor of the Year at the annual PPG Platinum Distributor Conference, held in Orlando, Fla. Patrick Mayette, PSE president, along with the company's senior leadership and regional managers, was on hand to accept the award was on behalf of the PSE organization. "In its long-standing relationship with PPG, PSE has consistently demonstrated the qualities that epitomize the spirit of our Platinum Distributor program—product knowledge, enduring loyalty, continuous training, exceptional performance and an unswerving commitment to customer service and support," said John Parran, PPG director, Platinum Distributor program, U.S. and Canada, in presenting the award. "It's very exciting to accept this award for the entire PSE team," said Mayette. "It's gratifying for all of us to be recognized for our work." PSE was established in 1952 in Lincoln Park, Mich., and is a charter member of the PPG Platinum Distributor program, which debuted in 1995. The company now has 25 retail stores throughout Michigan, Ohio and Indiana and employs a staff of 235 people including trained technical service representatives, regional sales managers, and business development and territory managers. John Outcalt Vice President, Global Refinish PPG'S CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM Maintaining leadership in the refinish industry requires talented people from all corners of the business coming together. Whether it's a supportive distributor helping a shop owner implement lean principles, renowned custom painter Charley Hutton leading a wood-grain techniques class using ENVIROBASE ® High Performance products or a group of experts advancing color management software to ensure continued outstanding results, teamwork is essential to PPG's leadership in automotive refinish. Our world-class support, relationships with elite painters and advanced coating technologies are just a few of the ways we are able to set and exceed our goal of creating successful partnerships. And our refinish business is stronger when collaborating with our great partners. In the realm of racing, wins such as Brittany Force's 2017 NHRA Top Fuel championship and Team Penske's Josef Newgarden capturing the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series championship underscore the importance and significance of longstanding sponsor relationships—35 years with Penske Racing and nearly a decade with John Force Racing. In the collision business, we champion comprehensive training for paint technicians, managers and owners on products, equipment and the latest production methodologies. In the custom world, the fact that painter loyalty to PPG extends far and wide is testament to our winning reputation. Take, for example, Chris Ryan, whose "Scarlet Lady" custom Cadillac was a Pirelli Tire Great 8 Finalist for the 2018 Don Ridler Award. Ryan's dedication to PPG spans 38 years and counting, giving credence to his appreciation for the support and service he receives from his PPG partners (see "Modern Classics," pages 18-23). At the end of the day, PPG's leadership in automotive refinish does not exist in a vacuum. From our dedicated trainers, customer service representatives and independent distributors to our racing partners and celebrity painters, our partnership approach helps ensure our customers' success. INSIDE LINE 4