LaFontaine Automotive going ‘Green’ with PPG waterborne refinish system

HIGHLAND, Mich. - The LaFontaine Automotive Group, headquartered here, announced that they have converted from using a solvent-based system to using Envirobase High Performance waterborne basecoat by PPG for vehicle paint repairs. The transition is part of an overall initiative to sell, service and repair vehicles in an environmentally-responsible way, according to LaFontaine. 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 LEED1 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 reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) atmospheric emissions and improve air quality. To date, Michigan has no plans for more stringent VOC regulations – LaFontaine is making the change on its own initiative.

The company operates a new, $15 million flagship facility in Highland, Mich., and another collision center in Dexter, Mich. The switch to waterborne coatings at both locations will coincide with the grand opening of the new Highland center, which features General Motors vehicles and opened June 2.

Once deciding to convert to a waterborne system, settling on PPG as the refinish partner was not difficult according to McCallum. “They made it easy for us,” he said. “We did our due diligence and brought in all the paint companies, but the overall commitment from PPG, as well as their distributor, Painters Supply & Equipment Company, and the excellence of the product sealed the deal.”

“Aside from all the environmental benefits of waterborne paint, the production aspects were critical,” McCallum said. “We wouldn’t compromise on quality, and the Envirobase High Performance system proved outstanding for ease of application and color matching. PPG also gave our paint technicians complete training and support. And PPG will be there with us when we open our new center. General Motors is so impressed, they’re benchmarking this store.”

Elson Dolliver, PPG business development manager, said, “The green commitment LaFontaine is making is impressive. They’ve got our support and products to help them succeed. Their vision puts them on the cutting edge.”

The enthusiasm over going green extends to LaFontaine’s paint supplier as well. “We’re very pleased to be partnering with PPG and the LaFontaine Automotive Group,” said Patrick Mayette, director of sales and marketing for Painters Supply & Equipment Company. “Delivering environmentally-friendly green technology to support LaFontaine’s LEED certification efforts is rewarding and exciting.”

The LaFontaine Automotive Group consists of five auto dealerships covering 14 domestic and foreign franchises and two collision centers. The company, based in Highland, Mich., was established in 1980 by the LaFontaine family and remains family-owned and operated. Over the years, the company has earned a number of prestigious awards including the Cadillac Master Dealer Award and the General Motors Mark of Excellence awards for Pontiac, Cadillac and GMC.

Source:Infibeam.com