WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio – Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes this week announced its annual Associated Products Vendor Awards. The announcement was made at a special reception for more than 300 suppliers, employees and VIP guests at its national sales meeting held at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.

Associated Products suppliers honored at this year’s vendor awards included:

* DeVilbiss – Sherwin-Williams Brand of the Year
* Garmat – Sherwin-Williams Sales Excellence: U.S.
* SATA – Sherwin-Williams Sales Excellence: Canada
* P.P.C. (Powers Paper Company) – Sherwin-Williams Operational Excellence

“The goal at our almost 200 branches is to meet the needs of our collision repair customer base around the country and bring them greater value. Our vendor partners are an intricate part in helping us demonstrate the service excellence that our customers expect,” said Jeff Hartl, director of associated products marketing for Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes.

Hartl noted how the Sherwin-Williams controlled distribution strategy provides a real difference as it directly supplies its collision repair customers. “Our company-trained employees manage the entire supply chain from product development to delivery. A Sherwin-Williams professional directly manages the collision repair shop and/or MSO account, facilitates application training, and provides on-site consultative services as necessary.

“No matter how many locations a customer may have, our direct distribution provides important standardized services – innovative products, training, delivery, consulting and centralized billing – and this drives consistency and cost-effective results. We want to be the one-stop-shop for the automotive repair and refinish industry and our stores make it easy for customers to come in and find, or have immediately delivered, the exact products and services they need to be profitable and productive.

“More than 300,000 customers walk into our branches every year. Our vendor partners are important to the ongoing service and attention to detail we provide all our collision repair customers whether they come straight to the counter in one of our branches or through delivery to their shops,” Hartl noted.