The Tribune

GRAND Bahama-based Paint Fair has launched its distributorship of International Paint, the industrial protective coatings brand, in the Bahamas along with specialised training for its team. In a launch attended by Minister of Public Works and Transport, Neko C. Grant, executives from International Paint and Akzo Nobel, Grand Bahama industrial stakeholders and contractors, Paint Fair announced its new International Paint product line, expanded warehouse plans and new certifications for its staff. "In addition to our residential and commercial market focus, we have been focusing in recent years on the needs of the industrial market requiring high performance coatings for the protection of their assets," said Joan Davies, managing director of Paint Fair. After gaining traction with its Devoe Coatings industrial line, Paint Fair also sought to add International Paint. "We are pleased to announce the launch of Paint Fair as an authorised distributor of International Paint in the Bahamas. International Paint is well recognised as one of the world's leading suppliers of protective coatings and passive fire protective solutions for the oil, gas and chemical market, water and waste water market, power generation market, high value infrastructure, vessels and mining and mineral markets," said Lesley Davies-Baptista, general manager of Paint Fair. "This development makes an entirely new level of products and solutions available in Grand Bahama, and we look forward to providing such - not only to our Grand Bahama market but also to the various markets throughout the Bahamas." Mr Grant said: "Paint Fair has now strategically positioned itself to realise additional gains by diversifying its line of sales inventory. It is an impressive undertaking, which should be emulated by other enterprising individuals." Martin Criado, manager for the Latin American and Caribbean markets for International Paint, said the new partnership would allow Paint Fair's commercial and industrial customers access to high performance coatings, trained Bahamian personnel and the extensive global network of the brand's technical, supply, sales and training resources. Paint Fair's store managerm Eric Baptista, is certified as a Coatings Inspector, Level 2, by NACE, the National Association of Corrosion Engineers. In addition to the industrial training and certifications, five staff members are certified by the Paint & Decorating Retailers Association as coatings specialists after successfully passing its course.