Educational Conference

paint lines, the company also represents big names like Spanesi, Carborundum, Sata, Devilbiss, Dynabrade, Iwata , Finixa, Hutchins, Fusor, Upol, Fiberglas Evercoat,and USC, among others.

From left, Owner Paul Fus, Paul’s wife Debbie Fus and David Kindig from Kindig It were on hand at the grand opening of the new PF3 Paint Supply Training Center in Wixom, MI

Fus saw the need for a training center in Michigan and filled it without cutting any corners along the way. “We are the only paint and supply distributor in the state of Michigan that offers an independent non-affiliated training center. Our goal is to bring our customers the latest technology, products and support through this facility.” The center’s classroom has comfortable seating for 30 people, and the shop area features a raised downdraft Spanesi spray booth with an oversized mix room, ideal for every aspect of paint training. It also features the latest body shop equipment, including a Spanesi Multi bench Frame Machine, Spot Resistant Welder, 3-in-1 Q5 Welder, Touch Measuring System, Aluminum Tool Cart and Rivet Guns, among others. For lar ger hands-on classes, the center’s shop floor can accommodate as many as 80 people, which is also ideal for trade organization meetings and larger I-CAR classes. Once the word gets out, the PF3 Paint Supply Training Center will also be used for other industry-related classes, events and training sessions, Fus said. “We want to ideally provide a comfortable place where people can learn and become better at their jobs. We want them to see and actually use products, tools and equipment and promote networking as well.” Last summer , Fus and his team hosted an Open House to officially unveil their new training center. It

The facility is designed to accommodate 30 people in its classroom and approximately 80 for on-hands training sessions

featured vendor’s booths, product demonstrations and a special appearance by David Kindig from Kindig It and one of the stars of Bitchin’ Rides on Motor Trend TV. It was a great way to kick off the training center and reach out to local body shops, Fus said.

Fus goes back three decades as a jobber/distributor; so, it’s in his blood. “My first job out of college in 1989 was selling products to body shops out of a vehicle, so yes—I was a wagon peddler,” he said. “But it was a great opportunity to learn the business by visiting a lot of shops and finding out what they needed and how they operated.”

In 2007, Fus bought two locations from an established jobber in Illinois and hit the ground running. “In 1993, I moved to Michigan and now we have three locations and a training center equaling more than 25,000 sq. ft. that serves the entire state as well as Toledo, OH and employ 20 people.”

Making a better industry one class at a time is something Fus wants to be involved in and his new center is going to achieve exactly that. “Training today’s technicians is of utmost importance to PF3,” Fus said. “This facility separates us from our competitors as we are the only distributor in Michigan to make this type of investment for the future of our customers and the industry we love.”

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WIN Opens Registration for 2020 WIN Educational Conference

The Women’s Industry Network (WIN ® ) is pleased to announce that registration for the 2020 Educational Conference is now open. This year ’s Conference will be held May 3-5, 2020 in Newport Beach, Calif. “Driving the Future,” the Conference theme, will be reflected throughout the agenda of the two-and-a-half-day event that brings education, connection and celebration to collision industry professionals each year.

“For our 2020 Educational Conference, we are excited to shake up our agenda a bit and offer more networking time,” says W endy Rogers, Conference Committee Co-Chair. “We will be hosting a charity opportunity to give back to the community , and we will be taking our annual Scholarship Walk in late afternoon that gives way to a short reception and a free night to explore and sample the restaurants and nightlife in fabulous Newport Beach, Calif. “

Register and receive the early bird price of $300 if you purchase before March 31st. After that, the member rate is $475 and a non-member ticket is $700. Attendance at the Most Influential W omen and Scholarship Winners Gala only is $80 per person. Room blocks are available at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach for booking at the hotel until April 13th.

If you are not yet a member, join today or before March 31st for $95 and you will be eligible to purchase a ticket to the conference at the member rate.

More information to come regarding speakers and session topics. To register for Conference and view the agenda, please visit https://thewomensindustrynet work.site-ym.com/page/Conference.

WIN is a 501(c)(6) not-forprofit organization. WIN recognizes excellence, promotes leadership, and fosters a network specifically for and among women.

For more information go to www.womensindustrynetwork. com.