Paints Plus Expanding

1

M I D W E E K

WEDNESDAY,

JULY 28, 2010.

EIGHT-PAGE SPECIAL E X T R A

THE BUILDING with the bright green trim is the new location of Paints Plus Speightstown. (RC) PAINTS PLUS have been operating in Speightstown for some eight years, after taking over the Express Auto Supplies outlet in Chapel Street from Courtesy Garage in 2002.

Today they are reasserting their faith in the North by opening their spanking new outlet on the Speightstown Bypass road. This investment was undertaken in spite of the recession but with an outlook to the economic development currently taking place in the area and which is sure to expand when the recovery picks up pace.

The new store which is centrally located, has ultra modern facilities and adequate parking for its anticipated increase in customers.

The bright colour scheme and the surrounding plants enhance the soft environmental design of the building.

The management of Paints Plus have heeded the requests of their customers and have added new lines to their existing portfolio.

The fishermen and watersports enthusiasts from nearby Six Mens and surrounding areas can now purchase their supplies from the extensive range of fishing and boating gear. And where previously Paints Plus did not carry a line of decorative paints, you can now purchase the Berger brand of house paints which will be mixed to suit any colour under the sun.

One feature which will continue from the previous location

is the installation of your Tropical automotive battery, and of course there is adequate parking to make this installation easy.

Paints Plus continue to look to the future and have already invested in land at Six Roads, St Philip, where they will open their next outlet. In addition to their local expansion, they are also working to increase their overseas presence and are currently establishing a partnership with a leading company in the Bahamas; this will add to their existing partners in The Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, and St Vincent.

All in all Paints Plus see the future with great optimism and as the saying goes “are putting their money where their mouth is” by investing in their new building in the North.

THE MANAGEMENT OF PAINTS PLUS INC. extends hearty thanks to all suppliers – local, regional and extraregional – staff past and present, and most of all, to customers who have supported the company throughout the years.

A warm welcome to new clients, whether you shop at the Tweedside Road flagship store or the newly relocated branch in Speightstown, St Peter.

Appreciation is also expressed to those who have supported this special feature with advertising.

2. WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2010. MIDWEEK NATION EXTRA

Management team looking to the future

PAUL CABRAL (RC) (General Manager)

THE MANAGEMENT TEAM at Paints Plus Inc. are very excited about the opening of their new store on The Speightstown bypass road.

Even though Paints Plus has been in Speightstown for the past eight years, this new store represents the confidence that they have, not only in the north of the island, but in the economy as a whole.

The team of Roger Smith, Patrick Cabral and Paul Cabral are all very optimistic about the future, and are constantly looking for new products to supply their existing customers as well as expanding the range as the need requires, hence the addition of fishing supplies, water sports equipment and Berger decorative paint at their new store.

Regionally, the company, through its distributors is the leader in the Automotive Paints industry distributing three top brands for the world’s largest coatings supplier, Akzo Nobel, namely SIKKENS, WANDA and LESONAL. In Barbados they manufacture their own brand PROCOAT, which is widely used in the automotive and furniture sectors.

For the future, next on the cards will be the opening of a store in the east of the island, and regionally, the appointment of additional partners across the CARICOM region and beyond.

ROGER SMITH (RC) (Managing Manager)

PATRICK CABRAL (RC) (Director)

MIDWEEK NATION EXTRA. WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2010. 3 TIMOTHY SMITH, the manager of Paints Plus, Speightstown, St Peter, has dedicated so much of his life – 18 years to be exact – to being a paint specialist that he probably dreams in rainbow colours.

He’s the “go-to guy” for your paint requirements, whether you are painting a building, automobile, speedboat, cabinet doors, or furniture. If your colour choice is not one to be found on the extensive charts, then he will mix it for you.

Those doing auto repair work will usually find the matching hue in the colour code manual, but if a rare shade is needed Timothy will work on getting the right mix.

He can also access thousands of automotive colours from the Colorpro computerised software. If you are painting your home any colour can be mixed using the Berger computerised system.

Timothy started working with Paints Plus around the time when the company was moving from their then head office in Roebuck Street to Country Road and was pivotal in setting up the Country Road location.

The head office is now at Tweedside Road.

Timothy is very happy with the new location in Speightstown, saying: “It will attract more new customers as people can see it when they drive past, (the bright green trim will catch the eye) and there is lots of parking room.

“The spacious interior of the store also enabled us to increase our product range. Our attractive displays make it easy for the customers to browse and find what they are looking for.

Timothy gives the right mix “A lot of our clients are regulars and when they come to shop it is like having interactions with friends and acquaintances.”

He reminds the public: “As is stated in our slogan – Paints Plus – the PLUS stands for service. And we don’t take this lightly!”

Timothy is all about giving outstanding service to clients, and while the NATION team was there he went out to the car park to install a windshield wiper for a customer.

A body repair technician also came in for a half-pint of a special colour of automotive paint to finish a fender job, which Timothy accurately mixed for him.

This type of personal service is what has led to having many repeat clients, since new customers usually come back in for their paint, automotive accessories

and products, and more recently, fishing gear.

The manager says: “My assistant Paul Smith and I make a good team, and we welcome having Agnes King as our cashier, who formerly worked at the head office.

“I also appreciate the mutual respect between me and the managing director Roger Smith and director Patrick Cabral, as one can always discuss matters with them and reach an understanding.”

TIMOTHY SMITH (RC)

4. WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2010. MIDWEEK NATION EXTRA

MIDWEEK NATION EXTRA. WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2010. 5

PAINTS PLUS also stocks lots of products for automobiles.

(RC)

THE ‘PLUS’ is in the extra special customer service. (RC)

Outlet a plus for the north, company

THE NORTHERN OUTLET stocks spear guns and other items for those who like water activities. (RC)

FISHING RODS for the avid fisherman. (RC)

BARBADOS has one of the highest percentages of vehicles per square mile or per person in the population of many countries, most of them bigger than this island. The advent of reconditioned automobiles and easy

KAREEN HINDS (centre) operator of Kay’s Taxi Service, is a regular shopper at Paints Plus Speightstown. Here she is attended to by Agnes King (left) and Paul Smith.

(RC)

credit and hire purchase payment terms has enabled the growth of ownership.

Most drivers are desirous of getting a vehicle that not only rides well but looks good, and some are into having the shiniest, most “flashy” automobile on the road.

In the past 20 years, more women have also been buying cars and they also like their vehicles to look sharp.

All of these developments fit into the futuristic vision of Roger

Smith who had high hopes for the automotive paint market in Barbados and the region, and thus established Paints Plus.

As the demand for products grew, and the time spent on the roadways in heavy traffic became somewhat stressful, more residents in the north and west of the island needed a location that was convenient to them.

So an outlet was established in Speightstown, St Peter, about eight years ago,

in order to better serve customers who prefer to shop on that side of the island.

As the result of even a greater demand for products over the years, the northern branch has been relocated this month, and customers are invited to visit the spacious premises with easy to shop layout.

Timothy Smith, manager; Paul Smith, sales assistant; and Agnes King, cashier; will be happy to serve you and answer all your product queries.

6. WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2010. MIDWEEK NATION EXTRA PAUL SMITH began working with Paints Plus at its former location in Speightstown, St Peter since 2002. He enjoys serving customers, especially with their automotive needs, since he has a wealth of knowledge in the area, having previously worked in a car company.

He notes: “I have to keep up to date on various trends as the motoring public is very knowledgeable and technology is always changing and new products are constantly being introduced into the market.

“We also stock fishing items such as rods, spear guns, inflatable toys for speedboats, even modern versions of the traditional fishing nets, plus snorkels and fins, so people who like the salt water activities can also find products to assist them in having fun.

“The manager, Timothy Smith (no relation, just coincidence in surnames) and I listen to customers and their needs and this helps to inform the directors about new items or lines we can consider stocking. Timothy Smith and I are a good team, because although both of us work on the floor, I will consult him about any special paint requirements and he will do the same with me about auto requests.”

As with all the staff of Paints Plus, Paul is very enthusiastic about going the extra step to achieve customer satisfaction. He said: “For example, when you buy a new battery for your car, we install it and check the charging rate; if you buy a bulb we

AGNES KING

Cashing in on encounters with clients change it for you. Whether you are a fairly new driver or an experienced one, a gentleman or a lady, I will find out your needs and advise you on your purchases.”

Lots of car maintenance products are in stock, some accessories and items such as spark plug cables and wipers, and for small boats there are pumps and switches. There is also the Berger line of decorative paints, so just look for the building with the bright green trim on the Speightstown By-Pass Road, St Peter and stop in.

It is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Monday to Friday and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Telephone 422-3646.

PAUL SMITH

AGNES KING is the friendly cashier at the new location of Paints Plus at Speightstown, St Peter. However, she has worked for the company at its headquarters for three years.

She enjoys jobs such as cashiering and receptionist work because she gets to “meet different people and enjoy interacting with them.

“During the years I have built up my knowledge of the paints and painting products in Bridgetown, and here we also stock more automotive accessories and fishing items.”

King is very pleased to be working at the new location as she is nearer to her house and gets home earlier to spend quality time with her daughter.

MIDWEEK NATION EXTRA. WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2010. 7

Getting technical is his forte ANDRE DOTTIN is the technical representative for Paints Plus Inc. Andre is responsible for visiting existing customers as well as new clients to demonstrate our products and solve any technical problems they may be having.

He has been trained by Akzo Nobel and is a certified demonstrator for their Sikkens, Wanda and Lesonal range of Automotive Paints, as well as for the Procoat system manufactured by Paints Plus Inc. He also sells and demonstrates the 3M line of Automotive products and has been extensively trained by 3M InterAmerica in Trinidad. He has been with The Company for the past 17 years and is a true proponent of our slogan The Plus Is In Our Service.

ANDRE DOTTIN

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