CollisionWeek Honors HP Process™ Refinish System From Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio, July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes was named one of just three recipients in the inaugural CollisionWeek Innovation Awards.  One of the industry's leaders, the automotive refinishes manufacturer and distributor was recently honored in the Repair Operations category for its groundbreaking HP Process™ refinish system with patented Air-Dry technology.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110721/CL39252)

In naming Sherwin-Williams the recipient, the publication noted that in today's collision repair industry, it is more important than ever to discover and promote new ideas and technologies that benefit repair facility operations and/or enhance their outside relationships with customers, insurers and vendors. With that goal, CollisionWeek developed the idea of the Innovation Awards to recognize those companies that develop products or services with the repairer in mind.

As a result, it honored the HP Process refinish system that takes the entire vehicle refinish procedure from primer to clearcoat in under 50 minutes. It also saves on energy because it eliminates the need for baking the finish in a gas-heated spray booth.

CollisionWeek reported nominations from practically every product and service used in the collision repair industry. The winners were selected by an independent panel of judges with more than 100 years of combined industry experience, representing a mix of industry segments. In addition to Sherwin-Williams, the publication recognized Summit Software Solutions, Inc. in the Shop Customer/Insurance Relations category, and Audatex, a Solera Company, in the Office/Management Operations category.

Sherwin-Williams was recognized for seeking to satisfy its customers' need to complete repairs as quickly as possible, while holding down costs. When Sherwin-Williams developed the HP Process, a refinishing system that helps shops paint more cars, faster, the company also found the system used less energy. This was accomplished thanks to the technology of its HPC15 Clearcoat.

"The process is a game-changer for collision repair shops. Our customers are under regular pressure from vehicle owners and insurers to complete repairs as quickly as possible. Normally, improvements in speed come at significant cost -- new spray booths, IR lamps, etc. That's not the case with the HP Process refinish system. Through the use of a few new products and some basic training, our shops can cut paint cycle time significantly. Even better, this can be accomplished without the costly application of heat from a downdraft booth, thus saving significantly on natural gas bills," said Craig Williams, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Director of Global Product Marketing.

Craig Williams further added, "Customer response has been so enthusiastic that Sherwin-Williams, at first, was almost hard-pressed to keep HP Process refinish system products in stock. But now, testimonials are pouring in. One shop reported that its gas bill dropped more than 60 percent thanks to the innovative refinishing system. This was one of the company's goals in developing the system. As important as productivity is, we feel it's equally important to lower our customers' costs of doing business, and at the same time, helping them lower their carbon footprint within their respective communities."

In announcing the Innovation Awards, CollisionWeek was seeking to recognize breakthroughs in collision repair products, business processes and technology that provide dramatic improvements for collision repair facility operators. The publication noted that all three of the winners certainly qualified under those criteria, while addressing three different aspects of collision repair facility operation: customer service and marketing, estimating, and the paint process.

Russell Thrall III, publisher of CollisionWeek, congratulated the winners, "By presenting these awards, we hope to acknowledge and encourage the efforts of those who drive the development of products, business processes and technology that provide dramatic improvements for collision repair facility operators. I feel that these three companies have done that, and they are to be congratulated."

For more information about Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes visit: www.sherwin-automotive.com; or call 1-800-SWULTRA (1-800-798-5872).

Editors Note:

The Sherwin-Williams Company, founded in 1866, is one of the world's leading companies in the manufacture, distribution and sale of coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial and retail customers.  Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes, a division of The Sherwin-Williams Company, manufactures and distributes a complete line of advanced technology paint and coating systems for automotive and fleet refinishing industries.

SOURCE Sherwin-Williams