Pro-Spray Automotive Finishes, a division of Alco Industries and a leader in European technology solventborne and waterborne refinishing products for the automotive aftermarket, recently celebrated the grand opening of its new technical training center and paint production facility with over 75 customers, industry media and local politicians in Massillon, Ohio.
The gala began with a private viewing and reception at the Pro Football Hall of Fame and peaked the next day with a tour of the newly constructed facilities. The Technical and Training Center is designed to provide automotive jobbers and collision repair professionals with technical instruction and hands-on experience working with body repair products, solventborne coatings, waterborne coatings and custom finishes.
“Our new training center is just one way we’re increasing our value to customers,” said Tom Gardner, director, business development. “The facility is designed and equipped like an on-site collision repair shop, allowing our customers to practice the proper application of our products in a real-world environment. An adjacent, state-of-the-art classroom provides an area for technical coursework and discussion. By providing an environment where customers can test our products and learn more about them, we’re helping improve their job quality and shop performance.”
Pro-Spray’s new Technical Training Center features more than 4,000 sq. ft. of space and includes:
- Classroom fully equipped with hi-definition audio visual equipment and kitchen.
- Custom 21 ft. x 9 ft. paint mix room specifically designed for training classes.
- Drive-in wash bay for cleaning and prepping vehicles and panels.
- Drive-in downdraft prep room (24 ft. x 14 ft.) for vacuum sanding and priming.
- Drive-in downdraft and heated spray booth (27 ft. x 14 ft.) for painting.
The top-of-the-line spraybooth is equipped for both solvent- and water-based paints and features programmable time and temperatures (up to 199° F) for the pre-flash stage, pre-dry stage and multiple “smart” cure cycles.
“The spraybooth also has directable ‘advance cure’ air towers that use turbulent airflow to dry our waterborne paints,” said Laura Yerkey, Pro-Spray marketing manager. “Pro-Spray waterborne paints are environmentally friendly and are currently being used throughout Europe and North America to meet VOC regulations. Our new center has the unique ability to train customers on how to apply these paints, which require different drying techniques than traditional solventborne paints.”
The facility has the capacity to train up to 32 students at a time, and offers instruction on Pro-Spray, Outrageous and USC products.
After touring the Technical Training Center, attendees viewed the newly constructed paint production facility. The majority of Pro-Spray solventborne and waterborne coatings are manufactured in England, and the paint plant was built to supplement coatings production.
Pro-Spray’s new Paint Plant features more than 20,000 sq. ft. of space and includes:
- Closed loop de-ionized water filtration system for waterborne.
- State-of-the-art electrical control room with variable speeds and backup power.
- VOC-check ovens.
- Automatic and semi-automatic production capabilities.
- Advanced laboratory and quality control area.
- Color check and coatings quality control spraybooth.
Pro-Spray Automotive Finishes is a brand of U.S. Chemical & Plastics, An ALCO Industries Company. Developed and manufactured in England, and distributed in Europe and North America, the Pro-Spray product line delivers a comprehensive, versatile, and high performance waterborne and solvent intermix colour system supported by a full range of primers, clearcoats, hardeners, thinners and support products to body shops worldwide. For more information, visit www.uschem.com.
