HMG Paints is looking to build additional distribution partnerships for its Commercial Transport (CT) coatings, especially in the South, South West and Wales, and North. At the same time, the company is publicly acclaiming three of its existing specialist CT distributors, Spray Centre of Sheffield, Rapidpaint of Birmingham and Coachfinish in Northern Ireland, for helping to develop this side of its surface coatings business, by providing high quality supply, service and local market knowledge.

All three have enabled HMG to refine and enhance its product offering to commercial vehicle builders, repairers and refinishers; market growth in these regions has also been significant and together they have helped create a blueprint for future partnerships.

Manchester-based HMG Paints is arguably Britain's last significant manufacturer supplying the CV market generally and, through a trading history dating back many decades, one of the largest suppliers to the UK bus and coach industry. It manufactures and markets a comprehensive and cost-competitive range of high performance commercial transport coatings, including world-class primers, single-pack (1K) polyurethane and alkyd topcoats, the renowned Acrythane XSC two-component (2K) systems and various specialist finishes.

Working in close collaboration with Spray Centre, Rapidpaint and Coachfinish over the past two years, the company has continually increased its market presence in Yorkshire, the Midlands and Northern Ireland and is now looking to repeat the formula in other strategic areas.

"We believe that the key to growth and continuity in the commercial transport sector is quality independent distribution," says HMG's CT Manager, Steve Louis. "That enables us to guarantee same-day supply and consistent service for the local marketplace, which we reinforce with first-class product and a manufacturer's technical resources, including the capacity to develop bespoke coatings."

"We have forged great partnerships with our existing distributors, who list HMG as their No 1 commercial transport coatings range," he continues. "All are independent, experienced CT specialists and market leaders in their own distribution territory. We're now looking for a select number of similarly go-ahead companies who can help us provide quality distribution elsewhere."

Established in Sheffield for over 10 years, Spray Centre focuses on commercial transport coatings, to differentiate itself from a host of automotive paint suppliers in the region, and covers an area within an hour or so's drive, taking in Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.

Rapidpaint, based in the Digbeth area of Birmingham, also focuses on CT paint users, with additional interests in industrial coatings, supplying customers in a 50 mile radius that encompasses Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

Dating back to 1960, Coachfinish is the longest established of the three and supplies both CT and automotive refinishes across Northern Ireland, providing a one-stop-shop service that includes paintshop consumables, sprayguns and equipment. Each deals with every type of trade customer, from one or two man businesses to major organisations.

All three HMG distributors agree that specialist knowledge, competitive pricing and service are critical to the CT refinishing marketplace, with each offering twice daily deliveries in their core catchment area and expert colour matching facilities.

Coachfinish MD, Gary Kidd, and his co-director, Edward Craig, make themselves available virtually on a 24/7 basis to trade customers and provide in-depth technical back-up.

At Spray Centre, MD Derek Gass, highlights the provision of consistently accurate colour matching, in both single and two pack finishes, application training, using the latest compliant spray equipment, and up-to-date advice on health & safety issues. While his counterpart at Rapidpaint, Tony Peters, points to a sizeable recent investment in automatic mixing machinery, to satisfy trade customers' volume demands even faster.

The three MDs are all strongly of the opinion that, whilst there was an initial learning curve when the manufacturer got to grips with distributors' product and delivery requirements, HMG Paints provides an excellent service and first-class coatings.

Spray Centre's Derek Gass commends the coverage, opacity, gloss levels and quick drying performance of HMG's high solids XSC topcoats. Gary Kidd confesses he is a particular fan of its 'really smart' single pack products and has found a niche market in Northern Ireland for HMG's curtainside coating PVC94. While Rapidpaint's Tony Peters speaks for them all when he recommends complete HMG paint systems, from primer to topcoat, to ensure a reliable, quality finish.

HMG and its distributors believe that the CT refinishing sector is particularly demanding, with regard to the technical performance of coatings, competitive pricing and responsive customer service, but that the combination of an extremely professional paint manufacturer and highly experienced regional distributors can satisfy those stringent market requirements.

Further enquiries to:
HMG Paints
Riverside Works
Collyhurst Road
Manchester
M40 7RU
Telephone 0161 205 7631
email sales@hmgpaint.com