Tim Wright03.04.09
DuPont has long been a leader in providing products for the collision repair market. Body shops typically buy DuPont finishes and associated products from distributors known as "jobbers." The shops then use their own mixing machine equipment to match and mix coatings for eath paint job.
In some markets, however, small often one-person collision repair and paint shops are a vital and growing part of the refinish value chain. As low-volume operations, the shops are unable to afford the equipment and inventory needed for automotive painting services. To meet the growing need, DuPont has developed Lucite, an economical paint line that is sourced in China and targeted specifically at the needs of small shop operators. DuPont also is launching Duxone XP, which is specifically designed for the needs of local Chinese OEMs local dealership shops. The finishes are sold to shop owners through “DuPont Economic Line Product Standard Shops,” which also are referred to as “eco-shops.” Nineteen of the retail mixing shops are expected to be in operation by the end of March, with a total of 150 planned by year-end. If the concept proves to be successful, it will be expanded across China and to other Asian markets.
“It’s clear that these low-volume customers would typically not be on our radar in a market like China where the traditional new car brands like Toyota and Honda are growing so aggressively,” said Matt Robertson, marketing director, DuPont Refinish. “But due to the imagination and drive of our team in China, the eco-shop model proves that it is possible to capture business that might otherwise be missed.”
In some markets, however, small often one-person collision repair and paint shops are a vital and growing part of the refinish value chain. As low-volume operations, the shops are unable to afford the equipment and inventory needed for automotive painting services. To meet the growing need, DuPont has developed Lucite, an economical paint line that is sourced in China and targeted specifically at the needs of small shop operators. DuPont also is launching Duxone XP, which is specifically designed for the needs of local Chinese OEMs local dealership shops. The finishes are sold to shop owners through “DuPont Economic Line Product Standard Shops,” which also are referred to as “eco-shops.” Nineteen of the retail mixing shops are expected to be in operation by the end of March, with a total of 150 planned by year-end. If the concept proves to be successful, it will be expanded across China and to other Asian markets.
“It’s clear that these low-volume customers would typically not be on our radar in a market like China where the traditional new car brands like Toyota and Honda are growing so aggressively,” said Matt Robertson, marketing director, DuPont Refinish. “But due to the imagination and drive of our team in China, the eco-shop model proves that it is possible to capture business that might otherwise be missed.”