SHERWIN-WILLIAMS AUTOMOTIVE FINISHES CORP. (SWAFC) ECOLEAN™ TRAINING PROGRAM IS HUGE SUCCESS

November 2009

Warrensville Heights, Ohio - In 2009 Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp. (SWAFC) introduced its first A-Plus™ Network University EcoLean™ workshops and subsequently produced four of the programs before the end of the year.

With each event well-attended throughout the country, the EcoLean program, presented by SWAFC's value-added A-Plus Network, was specifically developed for collision shop owners and managers who are interested in leveraging the power of lean production as well as business solutions that reduce environmental waste. EcoLean workshops, recently held for sold out crowds in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Charlotte and Orlando elicited rave reviews from the shop owners and managers in attendance.

The workshop and its courses have been designed by some of the sharpest minds in the collision repair industry and afford the opportunity for attendees to relax in the company of industry peers, and learn from one another over a two-day period. Course curriculum included:

• Introduction to EcoLean Program - The principles of running a greener business.
• Improving Workshop Efficiency - The history of lean production, and its practical application in collision repair. 
• Principles of 5S - Methods of making your facility more efficient and consistent.
• Building a Lean Culture - How to build a lean culture from the ground up.

The program was an industry first, combining two of the most powerful forces in today's collision repair market: lean production and business solutions. The EcoLean Program allows collision repair shops to take advantage of these two important disciplines through a sustainable program to drive profitability through the reduction of waste.

The EcoLean Program was designed to help body shops improve their productivity and profitability, while reducing the environmental impact on our planet, according to Rodes Brown, SWAFC Manager–Marketing Strategic Programs.

"We are excited with the response in our first year of introducing the EcoLean program," said Brown, "We see the market moving rapidly toward leaner and more environmentally responsible business models, and we have now built a compelling set of tools and services to help our customers drive efficiency and reduce waste, both financial and environmental. We look forward to expanding its breadth of detail and reach to collision shop professionals in the coming year."

For more information about A-Plus Network University EcoLean program or the A-Plus Network, go to www.sherwin-automotive.com call (800) 386-3881.