LaFontaine Automotive Group Goes Green With PPG Waterborne Refinish System - BodyShop Business

LaFontaine Automotive Group Goes Green With PPG Waterborne Refinish System

The LaFontaine Automotive Group, headquartered in Highland, Mich., has announced that it has converted from a solvent-based system to PPG Envirobase High Performance waterborne basecoat for vehicle paint repairs. The transition is part of an overall LaFontaine initiative to sell, service and repair vehicles in an environmentally-friendly way. The company is one of the first in Michigan to move to a waterborne system.

“This decision was the right thing to do,” said Todd McCallum, fixed operations director for LaFontaine. “We’re very conscious of the need to safeguard our environment. We’re going for gold-level LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and doing all we can to be genuinely ‘green.’ We’re very pleased to be working with PPG to make this change.”

Automotive collision centers in California and Canada are making the transition to waterborne basecoats in anticipation of new air quality regulations requiring the use of waterborne basecoat to further reduce VOC (volatile organic compound) atmospheric emissions and improve air quality. To date, Michigan has no plans for more stringent VOC regulations, so LaFontaine is making the change completely on its own initiative.

LaFontaine operates two collision centers, one in Dexter, Mich., and a brand-new $15 million flagship facility in Highland, Mich. This new facility features General Motors vehicles and opened June 2. The switch to waterborne coatings at both locations will coincide with the grand opening of the new Highland center.

“Aside from all the environmental benefits of waterborne paint, the production aspects were critical,” says McCallum. “We wouldn’t compromise on quality, and the Envirobase High Performance system proved outstanding for ease of application and color-matching.”

For more information on Envirobase High Performance basecoat, call 440/572-2800 or visit www.ppgrefinish.com.

You May Also Like

Body Bangin’: The Disengagement Epidemic with Kevin Wolfe

Micki Woods interviews Leaders Way Owner Kevin Wolfe on why 73% of work professionals are disengaged today and what we can do about it.

Micki Woods, master marketer for collision repair shops and owner of Micki Woods Marketing, has released the latest episode of "Body Bangin'," the video podcast that is taking the industry by storm!

In this episode, Woods interviews Kevin Wolfe, owner of Leaders Way and former mechanical shop owner, on how he became the shop everyone wanted to work at. Wolfe also points out that 73% of work professionals today are disengaged — an all-time high — and discusses why that is and how we can fix that.

Body Bangin’: I Thought We Were Doing It Right with Josh Piccione

Micki Woods interviews Josh Piccione on repairing vehicles correctly — according to manufacturer guidelines.

Body Bangin’: Be a Star Not a Hamster with Robert Snook

Micki Woods interviews popular keynote speaker Robert Snook on how to differentiate and grow your business.

Body Bangin’: Know Me, Know My Car with Mike Anderson

Micki Woods interviews Mike Anderson on the importance of building an emotional connection with your customers.

Body Bangin’: Fighting for Consumer Safety with Burl Richards

Micki Woods interviews Burl Richards on his personal mission to fight for consumers’ rights and safety.

Other Posts

Body Bangin’: The Employer-Student Disconnect

Micki Woods interviews Raven Hartkopf, lead collision instructor at Collin College in Texas, on what students want from a shop employer.

Body Bangin’: Why Follow OEM Repair Procedures?

Micki Woods interviews Logan Payne of Payne & Sons Paint & Body Shop on the importance of following OEM repair procedures.

Body Bangin’: Getting Paid for Calibrations

Micki Woods interviews Andy Hipwell and James Rodis of OEM Calibration on how to get started doing ADAS calibrations.

Body Bangin’: What Are The Consolidators Up To With Laura Gay

Micki Woods interviews Laura Gay of Consolidation Coach on the current state of auto body shop consolidation.