Chet Taurence, chairman and founder of Painters Supply & Equipment Company and one of PPG Automotive Refinish’s most successful customers, celebrated his 90th birthday with a party Sept. 18 at his company’s headquarters in Taylor, Mich.

Taurence started his career – an occupation that has spanned 72 years – right out of high school in 1937 as a truck driver for Ditzler paint jobber Mellin Moran in Wyandotte, Mich. He quickly moved up to store manager and began selling Ditzler and PPG products.

In 1952, he opened his first Painters Supply & Equipment store in Lincoln Park, Mich. Today, Painters Supply & Equipment has 22 locations and a warehouse in Michigan and Ohio, and is one of the largest PPG Platinum Distributor in North America.

The party, a surprise event arranged by Painter Supply & Equipment staff, was attended by more than 250 guests, including Taurence’s family, employees and their families, vendors and PPG personnel.

Taurence still comes to work every day for several hours and is actively involved in his company’s operations. The day of the party, he had already gone home, but came back thinking he was picking up his son-in-law for dinner. Upon his return to the office, he was greeted by a large crowd of well-wishers.

For more information about Painters Supply & Equipment, visit www.painters-supply.com.