Painters Supply & Equipment Company (PSE), one of the largest
distributors of paint and related supplies in North America,
will soon open a new collision repair Learning Center.
The 3,000 square foot PSE jobber training facility, located
within their distribution center in Taylor, Michigan, has been
developed to provide information; instruction and hands-on
experience for a variety of automotive and industrial refinish
systems and equipment from major global suppliers. Customized
training on the latest products, tools, and processes will be
oriented toward the needs of PSE customers and also provide a
unique internal training opportunity for PSE
representatives.
“The Learning Center differentiates our product and service
offerings in two important ways,” says PSE VP Sales & Marketing
Guy Bargnes. “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. In addition, the facility will be made available at
designated times to I-CAR and area trade associations so they,
too, can benefit from what it has to offer.”
PSE now becomes one of the few PBE jobbers in the United States
with a dedicated training facility this progressive and
extensive in scope. The expense and effort invested by the
company demonstrates its significant commitment to ongoing
industry improvement. The facility is completely outfitted with
audio/visual equipment, features ergonomic seating, and boasts a
self-contained technical demonstration room – complete with
refinish products, safety equipment, and other refinish-related
tools.
Since all of PSE’s 20 locations do business in the Lake Air
District Consortium (LADCO), which has pending legislation
effecting waterborne usage, PPG’s Envirobase and Aquabase
Waterborne products will be an educational focus. In addition,
business training, such as Lean processes and KPI awareness,
will be made available.
“By offering business and product training opportunities
tailored to our customers’ needs, Painters Supply adds a new
level of value to the business relationship,” states PSE
President Patrick Mayette. “We have expanded our ability to
assist our customers through continuous improvement programs and
can more professionally represent our suppliers throughout our
entire trading region.”
The Painters Supply Learning Center’s inaugural session takes
place on February 10-12 in conjunction with PSE’s annual sales
meeting. Mark Clark, the principal of Professional PBE Systems
LLC, a specialized PBE distribution consulting firm, will
present a two-day session entitled, “Guide to Collision Center
Profitability.” The course has been developed in collaboration
with PPG and is designed for distributor managers and sales
personnel who wish to explore the advanced principles and
strategies required to operate a successful collision center
business.
For more information, visit www.painterssupply.com.
