Sherwin-Williams to open landmark store

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio — A special grand opening ceremony in Calumet Park, Ill., on Sept. 21, will mark the opening of Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp.’s (SWAFC) 200th company-owned automotive finishes store. Local dignitaries and Sherwin-Williams executives will cut the ribbon at the location outside Chicago. The day-long celebration will feature the Dale Earnhardt Jr. No. 8 Budweiser car, Champ Car DP01 Show car, food and beverages, prizes and giveaways. There will be tours and hands-on Planet Color airbrush presentations.

As part of SWAFC’s strategy to enhance the purchasing experience for its customers, the company has opened or renovated 200 existing stores to include wider, more open aisles, brighter lighting and newly organized displays of coordinating products – all in an effort to make it easier to buy automotive paint and associated products.

“Our goal is to open new stores that conveniently meet the needs of our collision repair customer base around the country and bring them greater value," said Tom Hablitzel, SWAFC president. “Each store features an improved merchandising mix, better product presentation and an interactive store environment."

New and renovated stores have a consistent look and feel. Improved merchandise presentation and graphic displays will enable customers to more easily locate product segments within the store. Computerized technical information about color selection and application will be available, as will onsite technical support.

“We want to be the one-stop-shop for the repair and refinish industry," added Hablitzel. “Our stores make it easy for customers to find the products and services they need to be profitable and productive."