News

Customer Appreciation Day Pro Show...CANCELLED!

Sherwin Williams: Covering The Earth...With PRICE INCREASES!

On July 17th, Sherwin Williams announced its 3rd price increase in just eight months.  OUCH!!!  Reportedly, the upcoming increase will be and astounding 9%, almost double most of the competition, however much lower than Dow Corning and their 20% increase.  Despite the fact that overall company sales increased 1.4% to a RECORD $2.230 billion in 2Q08 and 1.4% to a RECORD $4.011 billion in first six months these increases are, "well supported with facts in terms of why the company needs them", says Chris Conner, Chairman & CEO.  Overall profits fell from $210.4 million to a measly $171.7 million.  Poor guys!    Oh yeah, compnay shares rose $5.91 or 12.3% and the company plans to open another 100 stores a year.  Wow, struggling!   

Tough Walls Label Makeover

Coronado is giving the Tough Walls product line a complete label makeover, but don't worry, what's in the can will not change.  The same premium quality you're use to in the Tough Walls name will remain unchanged.  The label reprsents a more modern, streamlined look for Coronado, reinforcing the premium quality that Tough Walls has long been known for.  Notice below, now each sheen is color coded, reducing confusion.  These labels have already started filtering through our inventory, so don't be alarmed when you see them.  If any one has questions regarding the label change, don't hesitate to contact our management.

Rental Equipment-Fuel Surcharge

With gasoline rising upwards of $4.20 per gallon, we're forced to make some changes in our rental program.  Effective immediately, we will be implementing a $7.00 fuel surcharge on all gasoline powered rental units. All gasoline powered units will come with a full tank of gas and the daily rates will remain the same for the time being.  Our New Smyrna Beach location will not be affected, as they currently do not fill the tanks in their gasoline units.  All other, non-gasoline powered units, will remain unchanged.     

New Elastomeric Patching Compound

We'll soon be replacing our old Richard's Elastomeric Patching Compound with a new patching system from Pittsburgh Paints.  The new system is called Pitt-Flex.  It's from Pittsburgh Paint's Perma-Crete Masonry System.  Like our old system, it's available in Smooth/Knife, Smooth/Brush, Textured/Knife, and Textured/Brush grades.  It's suitable for interior or exterior use on masonry, wood, glass, wallboard, brick, and more.  This is a premium product line and highly regarded in the paint industry.  Please take a moment to check it out next time you visit the store. 

New Labels, New Look Coming Soon For Flood!

Flood Company, the manufacturers of well-known Floetrol, Penetrol, and CWF-UV, recently announced a major overhaul in their design and packaging.  The change is designed to support their position as "The Wood Care Specialists", as well as ehhance their retail image, and educate consumers on their products.  Please take a second to review the changes below and feel free to contact us in the event you have any questions regarding the change. 

New Lacquer Labels

Have you noticed new labels on our lacquers?  Well, Coronado has, once again, revised their lacquer labels.  It's been a few years now that Coronado's changed from the CLS label (Coronado Lacquer System) to the MasterLaq label, which I think most of us were just getting use to.  Now, you'll see the new Lenmar labels(shown).  Lenmar, a subsidary of Coronado Paint, manufactures all the lacquers in their 142,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Baltimore, where they've always manufactured them.   We've been ensured that what's in the can has not changed.  Unlike the last label change, however, the product numbers have changed.  Yes, I know, this adds some confusion and to help with that, we'll be happy to provide a product number crossover upon request.  The old MasterLaq labels are still in circulation and will slowly be phased out.  If you'd like to familiarize yourself with the Lenmar line, click here.  

UPDATE:  Click here for a MasterLaq / Lenmar crossover.

2008 Price Increases

(Exceprt From January 2008 Montly Mailer)

Now here I am exhibiting how great our prices are and how competitive we can be and now I have to turn around and tell you of the upcoming price increase. Terrible! Each year all the major paint manufacturers play the waiting game to see which company will announce their price increase. Once the first company announces the others jump on the bandwagon. Now, Letter after letter from our manufacturers are coming across my desk telling me about how the cost of petroleum products has sky rocketed, effecting everything from shipping to can and bucket costs. Raw materials, such as Ti02 (Titanium), has significantly increased, impacting virtually every gallon of paint produced. As each manufacturer increases, sadly we must follow as we are unable to absorb these cost changes. The increases range from around 2% to 8% depending on the product and manufacturer and as usual we will do our best to negotiate the best possible prices and keep them to a minimum. We are in the process of changing some right now, however, some of our manufactures have waited till March and April to initiate their increases. I can assure you each and every one of our competitors will be implementing increases as well. What I can say with much confidence is that we will maintain our high level of customer service along with our unique product offering. Despite the poor housing market and struggling construction industry we remain optimistic about 2008. As always, your support is greatly appreciated and I look forward to future growth together.

Joe

(To view a copy of the January 2008 Monthly Mailer click here)

Benjamin Moore aquires Coronado Paint / Insl-x.

Benjamin Moore has recently aquired the assets of Insl-x Products Corp., the parent company of  Coronado Paint, with hopes to expand it's share of the paint & coatings industry in North America.  Excutives of Benjamin Moore ensure that Coronado's products and customer service will remain unchanged, along with the the current management and employees.  As far as Southern Paint's concerned, it's business as usual.  Our distribution of both Coronado and Benjamin Moore products will also remain unchanged.  Our main focus is providing the very best products and services to our customers and we don't feel that this will affect that. 

Southern Paint is an authorized Porter Paints Dealer.

It’s well known in the community that we at Southern Paint present a tremendous product offering to our customers.  We proudly provide products from seven major paint manufacturers including Coronado, Benjamin Moore, and Glidden, just to name a few.  We’ve recently added Porter Paints to our portfolio to even further our offering and accommodate more of our customers’ needs.  Porter is under the Pittsburgh Paints umbrella which includes brands such as, Ameron and Olympic.  Currently we are working on a job to job basis with plans to bring on items for regular stock when we feel that we’ve found the right product mix for our market and our needs.  If you are in need of any products under the Pittsburgh Paints umbrella, we would be happy to have the opportunity to work with you, regardless of the scope of work.  This is yet another way we strive for 100% customer satisfaction.