Feb. 3, 2011 — Painters Supply & Equipment Company (PSE) is planning to open a new collision repair learning center within its distribution center in Taylor, Mich.

The 3,000-square-foot facility, set to open Feb. 10, will provide information, instruction and hands-on experience for jobbers on a variety of automotive and industrial refinish systems and equipment from global suppliers.

“The learning center differentiates our product and service offerings in two important ways,” said Guy Bargnes, vice president of sales and marketing for PSE. “First, it provides a platform for helping our customers improve their business and be more successful. Second, it facilitates a set of training programs to help make the PSE sales organization the most informed and best equipped in the business.”

The facility will be oriented toward the needs of PSE customers, but it will also be made available for internal training, I-CAR sessions and trade association use. It is outfitted with audio/visual equipment and ergonomic seating and features a technical demonstration room complete with refinish products, safety equipment and other tools.

Because PSE’s 20 locations are within a district that has pending legislation about waterborne paint, PPG’s Envirobase and Aquabase products will be a focus at the learning center. Other topics will include lean processes and business training. The center’s first session, called Guide to Collision Center Profitability, is scheduled for Feb. 10-12 in conjunction with PSE’s annual sales meeting.

PSE is one of the largest PPG Platinum distributors in the U.S., with 20 stores in Michigan and Ohio. For more information on the company, go to painterssupply.com.