Harris 45 Years of Colour

Sunday, October 15, 2017

1F

2F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

3F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

CEO shares leadership vision I AN KENYON, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Harris Paints Group of Companies, has led the management team for the last eight years after being handpicked to take the company to new heights. Ian has 30 years of world class experience in the coatings industry, with a speciality in sales, marketing and business strategy.

Customer-centricity is at the heart of Ian’s management philosophy.

“Listening to customers is fundamental to everything that we do. That is what the Little Man stands for and it is at the core of the Harris spirit. “By truly understanding the customer’s perspective and challenges, we are then best able to offer the most suitable solutions to meet their specific requirements.”

Harris has a clear history of innovation and leadership. The company was the first regional manufacturer to bring computer tint technology to the Caribbean and to introduce top performing waterbased paints that offered the public greater accessibility to convenience, performance and safety at an affordable price than ever before.

The CEO also keeps close to his team, inspiring them to share their

IAN KENYON, Chief Executive Officer, Harris Paints Group of Companies. (GP)

ideas. “The measure of a successful business is its people. It’s no good having a wonderful vision of the future if no one else is on board. You have to take the team with you, be open and honest and provide an environment that rewards performance.

“I am particularly proud of the number of initiatives that Harris employees have activated to bring about improvements in areas such as efficiency, personal development and environmental responsibility.

“That desire to improve, to bring world-class quality to the Caribbean and to lead from the front is a key part of who we are as a company,” declared Kenyon.

Five years ago, Harris unveiled its ultra-premium line of Ulttima Plus paints which contain five proprietary performance technologies in one can.

At the same time, Harris was the first regional manufacturer to implement a revolutionary tint system that provides high performance long-lasting colours but contains no harmful chemicals and is rated Zero VOC. “I am so proud of this company which is 100% Bajan and can produce products and services that can outperform international brands. What’s more, we produce paints specifically formulated for our unique region.”

So what does this CEO see in the future? “Even though the business environment is quite challenging these are often the conditions that also produce the highest levels of creativity so we are looking forward to several

more first-to-market innovations.”

Kenyon firmly believes there is plenty of scope for the introduction of new products including specialty products for the trade segment as well as service innovations that will allow Harris to continue to deliver value to its dealers, professional contractors and home decorators.

4F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

45th Anniversary event

T

O MARK 45 YEARS since the company began, Harris Paints celebrated the role that Ralph Johnson has played in building the company over the years.

Probably the individual most recognised as the face of Harris Paints, other than the Harris Man himself, Ralph has been hands on since the company started in 1972 and has witnessed the company grow, extending its range of products and exporting to 15 countries throughout the Caribbean.

The guests at the celebration included directors, shareholders, important contributors and distinguished employees who have all been with Harris Paints for 25 years or more. Tributes were paid

by President Robert Jones, Chief Executive Officer Ian Kenyon, as well as many of the guests.

Ralph Johnson said he could never have imagined that the company would reach the stature it has today. He recounted that CHAIRMAN of Harris Paints Ralph Johnson. (GP)

5F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

FROM LEFT: Alfred Hughes, Colin Deane, Charles Kirton, Kathy White, Edmond Lynch, Cita Carter and Wendy Del Castilho have all worked with Harris for 25 years or more. (GP)

celebrates Chairman Ralph Johnson Harris grew out of a need to provide customers with more choice, better quality and value and that remained a guiding principle.

He also acknowledged that he was very proud of what Harris had achieved in accessing state-of-theart technology through special international partnerships and that this allowed the company to provide best in class products formulated to perform in the Caribbean CHAIRMAN RALPH JOHNSON with Sir Charles Williams. environment.

(GP)

PRESIDENT ROBERT JONES addressing the guests. (GP)

AND there was cake!

(Photo by Judith Giovine, Ladyfingers)

6F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

R

OBERT JONES was born in Barbados and attended The Lodge School and later St Andrew’s College and Bishop’s University in Canada.

Jones also studied at the Royal Insurance Company in London before joining

his father’s brokerage business in Caracas in 1969, commuting regularly to the family home in Barbados.

A contemporary of Andrew Phillips, Robert first heard of the Harris project from his brother-inlaw Ralph Johnson and the idea instantly appealed.

He became one of the first shareholders and always believed that Harris could be a great success.

Over the years he has developed and maintained his interest in Harris while looking after his own business and real estate investments in Venezuela, Barbados and Guyana.

For the past ten years, Robert has been able to spend increasing amounts of time in Barbados which has allowed him to take a more active role at Harris and since December 2005, he plays an important part in shaping the future vision of the company in his position as president.

7F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Company continues to raise the bar

T

HE HARRIS GROUP has maintained the ISO quality management standards and best practices at all its plants for many years and has now been accredited to the newest 9001:2015 standard, one of the first companies in Barbados to meet the new certification.

Maintaining and achieving internationally recognised quality standards can be a prerequisite for some customers and suppliers to conduct business, as it represents a high level of professionalism.

Harris Paints Barbados (2003) Limited first achieved its accreditation in the quality management standard in 2001 and has since allowed the company to build a profitable, world class organisation. The certification has greatly improved customer satisfaction levels, employee engagement and

provides a continuous improvement platform.

According to Dolores Dabreo-Pope, Harris’ Business Management System manager and administrator, the system applies to every part of the business including quality control and control of raw materials. It requires checks and balances, special protocols, standard

operating procedures and document control.

This standard demonstrates the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. In addition, the new standard will encourage the company to use more risk analysis to better manage opportunities and threats.

The 9001:2015 standard is constructed around seven principles that include customer focus; leadership; engagement of people; process approach; improvement; evidence-based decision making; and relationship management.

A big tip from the

Little Man

8F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Harris top in environmental achievement

T

HE BARBADOS based company is without a doubt leading the way in its commitment to environmental goals, Harris is the only regional paint manufacturer to have been awarded an international certification for the green standards set by its premium Ulttima Plus line. Harris is also the first paint company to achieve the highest level of the Future Centre Trust’s Green Business Barbados award.

John Marshall, Head of the Barbados Business Unit explained that Harris has had ‘green’ standards at the top of the agenda since the 1980s when the company pioneered first-of-a-kind water-based coatings as an alternative to traditional, strongsmelling oil paints. Oils and alkyds

contain a high level of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that are released into the atmosphere and have a negative effect on air-quality and can be harmful to health. “For this reason,” continued Marshall, “we have invested highly in research and development to implement technologies that support and protect the environment, our customers and our employees”.

In 2013, Harris Paints launched its Ulttima Plus line which featured low-VOC, Easy-Breathe formulations designed to better promote health and safety for sensitive individuals and asthmatics. What’s more is that Harris also invested in a new tinting system that used ZERO-VOC colourants to ensure that harmful chemicals were not re-introduced to the paints during

the tinting process – something that many other paint companies cannot offer. As a result of independent testing by the Coatings Research Group, Inc. (CRGI), a certified international testing laboratory in Ohio, Ulttima Plus was awarded global Green Wise status for paints that protect the environment.

At a local level, Harris Paints has worked closely with the Future Centre

Trust (FCT) since 2010 leading the paint industry in the Green Business Barbados programme, achieving their highest level, Tier 5 award in 2015.

The broad number of initiatives introduced focus on waste reduction; reuse and recycling; energy and water conservation; pollution reduction and employee productivity and well-being.

9F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

A big tip from the

Little Man

C

HARLES KIRTON is Vice President of Technical Services and Innovation at Harris Paints and since joining the company 34 years ago, he has worked on the research and development of leading product innovations. The thing, he says, he likes most about his job is that no two days are ever the same and that there is always something new, exciting and demanding in the works.

Over his career, he has helped develop products that provide the ease of use and performance customers are looking for and that contribute to the growth and success of the company.

What does your job entail on a daily basis?

My day to day workload consists of serving several interests. It is essential to see that all procedures are being followed and that the paints are formulated correctly and manufactured consistently according to set standards. The price of raw materials often fluctuates and therefore that leads to work on costing and procurement within established guidelines.

I also work closely in responding to customer queries on products, their suitability and how to use them. While problems do crop up and require investigation the majority of paint problems are due to poor or inadequate surface preparation or incorrect application. Finally, we are always working with several ideas in our innovation pipeline that require a significant amount of research and testing.

How has the company grown and changed over the past 30 years?

When I started we were selling decorative paints but the company also produced nails and fencing, then we went on to producing automotive paint and

building products. Eventually, the company regained a sharp focus on coatings but that spirit of innovation continued. Today the company has one of the widest portfolios of products offering coatings for virtually every surface. We have expanded the range of decorative solutions to fit a wide range of budgets and we supply specialist coatings, paint accessories, roof and pool coatings as well as high performance solutions for commercial and industrial environments.

What would you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?

Without a doubt, being part of the team that developed Ulttima Plus which included collaborating with colleagues in the United States, Canada and Europe and allowed us to incorporate very cuttingedge technology. We conducted extensive surveys about key elements that mattered most to customers

and then looked at the leading science in these areas.

That led us to deliver the only paint that has five key technologies in one can. We had an independent facility test our paints against other international and regional competitors and overall on average Ulttima Plus outperformed these other brands.

How will technology shape products in the future?

We have several product innovations under research and development at any one time and it can take years to bring a successful product to market. Of course, I can’t share any trade secrets with you but I will say it is not only about the product performance.

It is important to determine if the market exists, if there is a real customer problem that needs to be solved and if you can do so at a price point that represents value to your customer.

10F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Bringing colour dreams to life with Harris ColourWiz

E

VER WISHED that you could paint your bedroom the colour of the flowers in the garden or perhaps you’re inspired by your favourite pair of shoes? With Harris’ ColourWiz App, you can capture the colours you love or whatever inspires you as easy as 1-2-3.

Download the Free ColourWiz App at Google Play or the App Store and then the fun begins! See It, Snap It and Find the closest Harris colour matches in just seconds. The ColourWiz App also provides further colour options that complement and enhance the primary and secondary colours that were the original source of inspiration and allows you to browse through thousands of available colours.

The fun continues with the interactive ColourWiz Virtual Designer that allows consumers to unleash their creative sides as sometimes seeing is believing. Have you

come up with the perfect colour scheme for your home or business but are still not sure?

Then look no further than this cutting-edge online tool from Harris to help bring your dreams to life. Transform walls, floors, countertops, cabinets and more at www.championsofcolour.com, where you can select sample rooms or easily upload your own photos and digitally create, save, print and share unlimited designs with friends and family and even ask them to vote on your designs.

“Colour is our business and we want to make it as easy as possible for our customers to bring their inspirations to life.

It remains our ultimate goal to restore to our customers that special sense of purpose, pride and value in their properties,” said Ian Kenyon, CEO of Harris Paints.

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Committed to giving back

W

E hold a heartfelt commitment to our local community and will continue to give back for years to come.

To our future leaders

HARRIS and Full Spectrum’s (a group of budding entrepreneurs who were challenged to bring service and product innovations to the table) partnership continues following the success of Classroom to Boardroom initiative. (GP)

To our community

HARRIS donating paint and supplies to the Thelma Vaughan Home. (GP)

To our Caribbean neighbours

FOLLOWING the passage of Tropical Stom Erika, CEO Ian Kenyon presented the Harris Group’s offer of support to Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. (GP)

11F

12F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

13F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

H

ARRIS PAINTS has championed support for hurricane hit locations, collecting and delivering an estimated 120 tonnes or 240 000 pounds of supplies donated by the generous Caribbean public, special groups, businesses and organisations, as well as from the Harris Group of Companies and Harris’ partners and affiliates.

The Caribbean paint company sprang into action on September 6, immediately following the direct hit of Barbuda by Hurricane Irma which destroyed or severely damaged 95 per cent of the homes.

The multifaceted response over the past six weeks included establishing a regional “hurricane force” to spearhead relief activities and programmes to drive awareness; to manage collections and procurement of supplies and to manage the warehousing and distribution logistics to ensure aid is safely delivered to the authorised agencies.

“If there is one thing that has come out of this terrible devastation,” said John Marshall, who heads Harris Paints Barbados, “it is that Caribbean people unite to help each other and we have seen a heartfelt response across the board. For us it’s simple. The Caribbean is our home. It is where we live and where we do business. We have real ties to these communities and every year we face the threat of hurricanes together. One of the biggest fears, of course, is losing one’s home and the home is something at the heart of what we do.” The Harris Group operates companies in Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia, Dominica and Guyana and sells products through stores and agents in 15 territories across the region.

It is not the first time that Harris has answered the call for help. Following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika in August 2015 (at the time, the deadliest natural disaster in Dominica since Hurricane David in 1979) Harris Paints committed more than EC$100 000 worth of paint, products and resources to the Government and people of Dominica. In addition,

the company shipped a 40-foot container of relief supplies and the Harris Dominica Team carried out community visits to distribute donations.

In response to Hurricane Irma, Harris put together a “Hurricane Force” consisting of key individuals across all business units to direct and coordinate relief for Barbuda, St Maarten and Anguilla. The company also rolled out a campaign “Help Us Help” to increase awareness and maximise the effectiveness of the donations drive via Press and radio ads and social media activity. Donations were collected at selected Harris Colourcentre stores.

“What happened on September 18 when Hurricane Maria made a direct hit on Dominica, was catastrophic, and a game-changer” said Tracy Johnson, one of the hurricane relief coordinators.

Harris Paints has had close ties with Dominica since 1978, when the then fledgling Barbadian company established its first overseas factory nearly 40 years ago at Canefield Industrial Estate, Roseau. The Dominica plant employs approximately 30 people and Harris is considered the national brand in Dominica with over 80 per cent market share.

“There was obviously a need to respond to the situation in Dominica and that changed the focus of our donations drive with immediate effect. It was a top priority to make that clear at all our collection points,” Johnson said. “At the same time,” she continued, “in the ten days or so since collections began for those affected in Barbuda, the Barbados office had collected two 20-foot container loads – a substantial amount in such a short period of time! These contributions were separated and packed for dispatch to the National Disaster Office in Antigua.”

Apart from efforts towards general contributions, the Harris Group sent approximately $30 000 in relief supplies, (water, medicines, food stuffs, cleaning supplies, lanterns and more) for employees and their families which were gratefully received. Marguerite Desir, head of the Dominica Business Unit reported that two members of staff had completely lost their homes with all others sustaining some level of damage.

Desir, who is also the head of Human Resources at Harris Paints, observed that the hurricane had not only cost Dominicans dearly but that sadly, on top of it all, some had lost their jobs or found themselves without pay until such time workplaces could recuperate.

She indicated, that this was not the case at Harris and that employees would benefit from continued compensation to provide the financial support needed until work could resume and beyond.

To increase awareness and donations for hard hit Dominica, Harris also reached out to its extensive international network of suppliers and partner organisations.

With the help of Scotiabank, the company set up a special account to facilitate donations specifically from overseas affiliates. To date US$120 000 in cash and products have been committed to help recovery efforts in Dominica.

At the local level, Harris Paints has worked closely with other leading organisations such as the Barbados RSPCA to deliver livestock and animal feed supplies to Dominica

and Antigua humane societies and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) who work to ensure the needs of women and young people are served through both emergency and reconstruction phases.

The response from Harris has included activities at all its company locations including a tremendous response in Guyana. Nicole Griffith, retail manager received thousands of (US) dollars in relief supplies from the public, corporate donors and organisations. One of the largest was US $40 000 in pharmaceuticals from Twins Manufacturing and described the response as ‘overwhelming’.

“We have tried to use all our assets and linkages. We are very fortunate to be well recognised and have a good

reputation in the community as well as international networks which put us in a good position to be of service”, said John Marshall the Barbados head. “The company also has a good disaster preparedness plan which has helped the team in Dominica recover faster.

However, I think this 2017 hurricane season has taught us all, that there is more that could be done and needs to be considered.”

The company is currently planning longer-term initiatives that can help get Dominicans get back on their feet which will include relief pricing, special donations, promotional offers and community activities.

President of Harris Paints Robert Jones, commenting on the wide scope of recent relief activities, said: “I am

so proud of all that we have done. Harris Paints was founded 45 years ago and set out to be a different kind of company, one not just focused on making profits but that would achieve that and so much more, by giving back to the communities in which we live. And that has never been truer.

“I am so encouraged by the remarkable response from the Barbadian public and appreciative of the trust they have put in us. I am grateful for the spirit of cooperation and partnership that has prevailed. I am inspired by the resilience of those that have been hardest hit and most of all, I want to thank every one of our staff for giving so much of themselves and together, in helping us make Harris a company we can all be very proud of.”

12F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

13F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

H

ARRIS PAINTS has championed support for hurricane hit locations, collecting and delivering an estimated 120 tonnes or 240 000 pounds of supplies donated by the generous Caribbean public, special groups, businesses and organisations, as well as from the Harris Group of Companies and Harris’ partners and affiliates.

The Caribbean paint company sprang into action on September 6, immediately following the direct hit of Barbuda by Hurricane Irma which destroyed or severely damaged 95 per cent of the homes.

The multifaceted response over the past six weeks included establishing a regional “hurricane force” to spearhead relief activities and programmes to drive awareness; to manage collections and procurement of supplies and to manage the warehousing and distribution logistics to ensure aid is safely delivered to the authorised agencies.

“If there is one thing that has come out of this terrible devastation,” said John Marshall, who heads Harris Paints Barbados, “it is that Caribbean people unite to help each other and we have seen a heartfelt response across the board. For us it’s simple. The Caribbean is our home. It is where we live and where we do business. We have real ties to these communities and every year we face the threat of hurricanes together. One of the biggest fears, of course, is losing one’s home and the home is something at the heart of what we do.” The Harris Group operates companies in Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia, Dominica and Guyana and sells products through stores and agents in 15 territories across the region.

It is not the first time that Harris has answered the call for help. Following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika in August 2015 (at the time, the deadliest natural disaster in Dominica since Hurricane David in 1979) Harris Paints committed more than EC$100 000 worth of paint, products and resources to the Government and people of Dominica. In addition,

the company shipped a 40-foot container of relief supplies and the Harris Dominica Team carried out community visits to distribute donations.

In response to Hurricane Irma, Harris put together a “Hurricane Force” consisting of key individuals across all business units to direct and coordinate relief for Barbuda, St Maarten and Anguilla. The company also rolled out a campaign “Help Us Help” to increase awareness and maximise the effectiveness of the donations drive via Press and radio ads and social media activity. Donations were collected at selected Harris Colourcentre stores.

“What happened on September 18 when Hurricane Maria made a direct hit on Dominica, was catastrophic, and a game-changer” said Tracy Johnson, one of the hurricane relief coordinators.

Harris Paints has had close ties with Dominica since 1978, when the then fledgling Barbadian company established its first overseas factory nearly 40 years ago at Canefield Industrial Estate, Roseau. The Dominica plant employs approximately 30 people and Harris is considered the national brand in Dominica with over 80 per cent market share.

“There was obviously a need to respond to the situation in Dominica and that changed the focus of our donations drive with immediate effect. It was a top priority to make that clear at all our collection points,” Johnson said. “At the same time,” she continued, “in the ten days or so since collections began for those affected in Barbuda, the Barbados office had collected two 20-foot container loads – a substantial amount in such a short period of time! These contributions were separated and packed for dispatch to the National Disaster Office in Antigua.”

Apart from efforts towards general contributions, the Harris Group sent approximately $30 000 in relief supplies, (water, medicines, food stuffs, cleaning supplies, lanterns and more) for employees and their families which were gratefully received. Marguerite Desir, head of the Dominica Business Unit reported that two members of staff had completely lost their homes with all others sustaining some level of damage.

Desir, who is also the head of Human Resources at Harris Paints, observed that the hurricane had not only cost Dominicans dearly but that sadly, on top of it all, some had lost their jobs or found themselves without pay until such time workplaces could recuperate.

She indicated, that this was not the case at Harris and that employees would benefit from continued compensation to provide the financial support needed until work could resume and beyond.

To increase awareness and donations for hard hit Dominica, Harris also reached out to its extensive international network of suppliers and partner organisations.

With the help of Scotiabank, the company set up a special account to facilitate donations specifically from overseas affiliates. To date US$120 000 in cash and products have been committed to help recovery efforts in Dominica.

At the local level, Harris Paints has worked closely with other leading organisations such as the Barbados RSPCA to deliver livestock and animal feed supplies to Dominica

and Antigua humane societies and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) who work to ensure the needs of women and young people are served through both emergency and reconstruction phases.

The response from Harris has included activities at all its company locations including a tremendous response in Guyana. Nicole Griffith, retail manager received thousands of (US) dollars in relief supplies from the public, corporate donors and organisations. One of the largest was US $40 000 in pharmaceuticals from Twins Manufacturing and described the response as ‘overwhelming’.

“We have tried to use all our assets and linkages. We are very fortunate to be well recognised and have a good

reputation in the community as well as international networks which put us in a good position to be of service”, said John Marshall the Barbados head. “The company also has a good disaster preparedness plan which has helped the team in Dominica recover faster.

However, I think this 2017 hurricane season has taught us all, that there is more that could be done and needs to be considered.”

The company is currently planning longer-term initiatives that can help get Dominicans get back on their feet which will include relief pricing, special donations, promotional offers and community activities.

President of Harris Paints Robert Jones, commenting on the wide scope of recent relief activities, said: “I am

so proud of all that we have done. Harris Paints was founded 45 years ago and set out to be a different kind of company, one not just focused on making profits but that would achieve that and so much more, by giving back to the communities in which we live. And that has never been truer.

“I am so encouraged by the remarkable response from the Barbadian public and appreciative of the trust they have put in us. I am grateful for the spirit of cooperation and partnership that has prevailed. I am inspired by the resilience of those that have been hardest hit and most of all, I want to thank every one of our staff for giving so much of themselves and together, in helping us make Harris a company we can all be very proud of.”

14F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

15F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Congratulations to Harris Paints on 45 years of offering outstanding products and solutions.

Dorn Color looks forward to continuing to partner with you during the next 45 years!

A big tip from the

Little Man

We produce color chip charts, fan decks, color swatches, product displays and color product samples for companies all around the world.

Dorn Color is the industry expert in precise color matching, surface texture and unique ďŹ nish reproduction.

Sample Dorn’s expertise !

www.dorncolor.com

info@dorncolor.com

216-634-2252

16F

New look Pro Services F

OR 45 YEARS Harris Paints has been catering to the needs of the trade segment, that is, major facilities and independent contractors that manage building, maintenance and painting services.

Far from being a below the line activity, the company re-launched their Pro Club two years ago to make services more visible and accessible to professionals.

Head of the Barbados Business Unit John Marshall revealed: “Professionals are a key part of our business and we are always working to extend the services available to ensure they get the right products and support to do the most successful job, within their time-frame and budget. At the same time, it is important that we make pros aware of all the options we offer”.

The Pro Club Account provides contractors with preferred prices, a dedicated rep to facilitate orders, technical service, the convenience of advanced orders which increases productivity and our recently expanded and FREE delivery service.

Harris frequently works closely with clients in preliminary stages of the project to choose the best coatings solutions and provide support such as colour samples and visuals to ensure the client is satisfied with colour selection.

“Not only do we offer the best-in-class solutions which have been formulated for the Caribbean and performance tested by an independent internationally certified laboratory,” said Marshall.

“We have the experience and provide the widest range of coatings including premium and budget sensitive options depending on the project priorities and requirements.

“Further to that, we have an extremely qualified team based here, responding quickly to issues,” he said.

Professionals contractors and painters service a wide cross-section of enterprises from those in the tourism and hospitality sector, where a high level of eye-appeal is essential to property development/management, manufacturing and industrial concerns.

Sunday, October 15, 2017

17F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

First Pro Desk at Wildey

T

O ENHANCE SERVICES to the commercial sector and our Pro Members, Harris Paints opened its first dedicated Pro Desk and Commercial Centre at the group’s flagship store in Wildey during October 2016. The Pro Desk provides dedicated services to a wide range of professional customers catering to building, painting and maintenance contractors as well as architects and design professionals.

Marketing Manager, Trade Services Tracy Johnson explained, “Commercial projects require specialised support at all stages

from planning through to application.

Professionals that work on these projects have a very different set of priorities to the average homeowner undertaking some light home improvements. The Commercial Centre therefore provides an area specifically for pros, focused on responding to the needs of pro clients and to ensure their jobs go without a hitch.”

In addition to coordinating a wide range of support services for professionals, the Commercial Centre provides a computer and internet facilities and a refreshment centre.

Colour resources every pro should know THREE MEMBERS of the Customer Service and Colour team at Harris recommend Pro resources available to medium to large projects designed to help professionals ensure their clients are satisfied before finalising paint orders.

Digi-Paint “People often have difficulty imagining colour to scale,” said Gavin Wilson, Trade Pro Supervisor, “especially on renovation projects that entail a complete repaint. Digi-Paint allows pros to show customers what different colour combinations will look like before painting begins.

“All we need is a clear project photo and information regarding the colours of interest and Harris will digitally paint photos in up to three different colour combos at no cost.”

Samples For Don Gooding, Harris’ Colour Technology Officer, seeing is believing. “There are so many factors that affect how we see colour including the sheen, the lighting conditions and the surface texture, that there really is no better way than actually seeing the colour on the wall”.

Depending on requirements, Gooding identified popular professional options. “Naturally we provide paint pots, but in addition we also prepare ‘drawdowns’, the paint sample on presentation card or on substrate, and we also go to project sites to apply paint to the surface to aid designers in their selections”.

Project Colour References

You never know when you need another few gallons for a project. It might be next week or next year. For this reason, Harris Paints Retail Services Manager, Shontelle Cesar-Morris, highlighted the Colour Keeper service.

“At Harris we keep a physical colour sample for contractors on request or on orders of 20 gallons or more. This is essentially a colour catalogue for key projects and provides an extra level of colour accuracy and consistency.”

TRADE PRO SUPERVISOR Gavin Wilson (left) and Customer Service Representative Jason Grimes ready to expedite commercial orders. (GP)

18F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

A

ttracting more than 100 professionals involved in commercial building, painting and maintenance, Harris Paints held its first coatings expo in Barbados, in April 2016 which highlighted an extensive range of hardwearing coatings technologies for commercial and industrial use.

The Pro Show which was held at Bagatelle Great House, provided a venue to explore solutions such as protective high-performance coatings, green technologies, specialty elastomeric finishes for roofs; resinous flooring systems for commercial and food and beverage applications, a new partnership with one of the world’s leading suppliers of spray equipment, Graco and much more.

Orlando Vazquez, vice president of Sales and Marketing for the Harris Group said that no other regional paint company could offer the range and quality of solutions accessible to Harris.

PRO SHOW attendees watching a spray application demonstration.

(GP)

He further said that the event was a tremendous success and was a wonderful opportunity to share opportunities to save money by providing longer lasting solutions and equipment that help get the job done faster and more effectively, to the Barbados business community.

The event provided an opportunity for professionals to engage one-on-one with local and international experts and at the same time see live

demonstrations.

The showcase was approved by the Barbados Association of Architects for Continuing Professional Development accreditation and was extended to members of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, the Barbados Manufacturing Association and the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Due to its success, in 2017 the Harris Paints Pro Show made its debut in Kingston, Jamaica.

CALEB HINCKSON, of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Engineering Department, collecting a resin flooring brochure from Chris Vaughn of Flowcrete. (GP)

HEAD of Harris Paints’ Business Unit JOHN MARSHALL discussing coatings with members of the Sandy Lane team. (GP)

Sunday, October 15, 2017

P

ROFESSIONALS well know that premium paint such as Ulttima Plus, will provide the highest performance, best all-round results and lifetime value for their clients yet, professionals are sometimes faced with the need for a lower cost alternative that can reduce overheads substantially and help drive business but won’t hurt their reputation.

In response to this market need, Harris Paints has introduced new Pro Speed Cover products which are formulated to increase productivity, delivering good hide and coverage at an exceptional price point. “We realise it’s a very competitive market and our clients are looking to us to provide them with flexible options that correspond to their day to day reality,” explains Tracy Johnson, Marketing Manager for Trade Services.

The new Pro Speed Cover line is available in three sheens, Flat and Eggshell, in a broad range of colours, and Gloss, in white only. They are competitively priced and designed to be used strategically where there is high price sensitivity and are suitable for sectors such as commercial and residential real estate rentals, which is characterised by relatively high tenant turnover and frequent repainting.

“It isn’t a one size fits all scenario,” agreed one contractor. “If you are finishing some new homes that are basically being sold as empty canvases there is no need to use the most premium paint on the interior, where the homeowner will likely repaint to make their own. Similarly, say you are maintaining a hotel and are trying to juggle a tight budget, you can perhaps stretch it a bit further by choosing a paint with lower durability for secondary areas, such as ‘back of house’ office spaces and corridors that get a reduced level of wear and tear. If you properly assess your project and use a smart strategy, products like Pro Speed Cover can dramatically increase your profitability.”

Although already very affordable, Flat and Eggshell Speed Cover products feature remarkable spreadability, up to 200 sq ft more per gallon than similar products, owing to the special FLOWTEK 555 formulation. This protected formula optimises elements such as titanium dioxide, a key component in hiding, and rheological additives which affect the chemistry and micro-structure of the paint, to enhance flow and viscosity without compromising hide. (Eggshell: covers up to 20 per cent or 100 square feet further per gallon further.)

A must-try for fast turnaround projects is Pro Speed Cover Gloss which has a brilliant high shine finish. In sampling, even seasoned contractors found the finish so glossy it was difficult to differentiate from traditional oil and it won’t yellow!

Utilising FAST-FUSE technology which promotes rapid polymerization or film formation, this Gloss is touch dry in ten minutes, and recoats in as little as one hour. As the film dries, it also hardens producing quick curing making it ideal for painting windows, cupboards and doors as freshly painted surfaces resists blocking (or sticking together) in as little as four hours!

While Pro Speed Cover might not be the answer for every project, as the first trade paint from a regional manufacturer, it is formulated for the tropics and its time and budget saving advantages are well worth considering if in line with project priorities.

For more information go to www.championsofcolour.com

19F

20F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

C

OMMERCIAL and industrial floors need to withstand extraordinary conditions.

Harris Paints sells and supervises the installation of a wide range of high performance solutions in tandem with Flowcrete, the world leader in the manufacture of seamless resin flooring systems. Orlando Vazquez, VP of Sales & Marketing announced that there was a real need for specialist floor systems that provide the cost benefit of long lifecycles and performance qualities demanded by industries today.

The relatively new category has seen strong growth, more than doubling sales since 2013.

Antimicrobial Ideal for food processing and commercial kitchens these systems are HACCP International certified. The antimicrobial treated cementitious urethane flooring contains a silver-ion based antimicrobial additive, PolygieneÂŽ, which complements floor cleaning and hygiene practices between wash cycles by protecting the surface from degradation caused by microbial growth. Systems can be tailored according to performance needs such as chemical and thermal shock resistance, heavy traffic and abrasion, anti-slip or aesthetic requirements. Antimicrobial floors are also ideal for bottling plants, breweries and healthcare environments. These systems have been installed at Mount

everything from textured finishes for enhanced slip resistance to UV stability to maintain colour vibrancy. Harris Paints has completed projects for Barbados Water Authority, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (fish market) and Glacial Ice.

HARRIS’ High Performance Coatings Specialist Michael Babb supervising an installation (GP)

Gay Distilleries; Popular Discounts supermarket and at West Indies Rum Refinery.

Fast Cure Quick installation is the main advantage of this range which minimizes any downtime or operational loss to the client. Systems also offer slip and chemical resistance and eyecatching finishes. Fast cure floors are very durable and installations last in excess of 15 years with the correct care regime. They are suitable to a wide range of environments including educational, retail, automotive, leisure and food and beverage. Projects

to date include cafeterias located at the National Insurance Service and Caribbean Examination Council Headquarters, the Psychiatric Hospital and the Usain Bolt Stadium.

Industrial The industrial range offers durable, wear resistant and easily maintained surfaces for clients working in production plants or heavy industry.

Time-proven flooring formulations stand up to heavy forklift, pallet truck and pedestrian traffic while at the same time boast impressive resistance to aggressive chemicals, solvents and cleaning agents. The range offers

21F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

T

his is the attitude at Harris and the philosophy behind the company’s modern business strategy.

Glocal is a combination of globalisation when it is informed by local considerations and is a perspective that answers the need to provide the best that technology has to offer while understanding and servicing a market that has its own unique culture and requirements.

Over the past four decades the political and trade environment in the region has changed considerably as local governments have acquiesced to global pressure to liberalize trade and open markets. Further to this, technological developments have revolutionized not only the paint industry but nearly every aspect of the world. Within this environment the Harris Group has expanded its product portfolio by 15 times and has grown the organization in five countries.

It is fair to say that the goal posts have moved radically and yesterday’s game plan will no longer work in today’s environment.

Notwithstanding, in this sea of change the only constant has been Harris’ commitment to quality and the relationships and business experience that has been built up over 45 years throughout the Caribbean. At the same time, there exists new opportunities and through a blend of regional manufacturing

and international partnerships, Harris has been able to provide a full range of coating solutions for domestic, commercial and industrial use; from specialized building chemicals to brushes and tools.

Caribbean people are very familiar with what happens when foreign concerns apply a onesize-fits-all approach to markets that are highly individualised. “Even large companies like John Deere have made this mistake,” said CEO Ian Kenyon about their initiative to introduce a tractor ‘tailor-made’ for Indian farmers.

“The problem is they didn’t appreciate that

the nature of the industry and therefore farmers’ requirements for vehicles were entirely different to what they anticipated and therefore sales fell flat.”

Being based regionally is a significant advantage. “Too many times people invest in products and when they don’t work out there is no one to turn to. We have a developed network of Harris Colourcentres, retailers, agents and distributors throughout the Caribbean. People know us; they know where to find us and as Chairman Ralph Johnson likes to say, “We aren’t going anywhere – and that is as good as a guarantee”.

They say: We’re stronger at 45 Our companies have depended on you at Harris Paints to supply us with paint products of the highest quality and today we salute you on delivering 45 years of excellent service.

We wish you many more

WEST INDIES

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Ian Kenyon explains how the ‘glocal’ strategy helped create one of Harris’ leading innovations.

“In creating Ulttima Plus we put together teams from Canada, from the United States and from Germany to work with our local teams here in Barbados. We encouraged those teams to be bold and innovative in their approach.

“A good example of that is MildewGuard Technology. What they did was take a lesson from the world of medicine, where doctors were having great success with slow-release capsules to control the flow of medications into the blood stream. Our team wondered what would happen if they used that same logic and applied it to fungicides.

“This led to the development of micro-capsules of fungicide that could be added to the paint film which slowly released the fungicide over a period of time which means you get longer lasting good looks, for an extended time.

“MildewGuard Technology is a key feature of the Ulttima Plus exterior range and provides maximum protection to help prevent the growth of mildew – a common problem in warm tropical conditions.”

CARIBBEAN METALS

FAIRWAY DEVELOPMENTS LTD

22F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

T

HE colours around us have a profound effect on the way we experience our lives.

International colour expert, Fawn Chang has been working with interiors and design for the past 25 years and has dedicated much of her professional life to understanding the role colour plays in contributing to personal well-being and performance. Fawn said that colour should be a central consideration not only when designing our homes but also for our schools, libraries, hospitals and other working spaces.

After meeting Fawn at an international industry conference nearly five years ago, Harris Paints has forged a close relationship with the designer who has a unique understanding of how colour can be used in conjunction with design to help transform lives by transforming spaces.

CEO, Ian Kenyon explained that Fawn had become a critical part of the team and was key in helping the company develop strategic colour initiatives that would

keep Harris at the forefront of the colour and retail experience.

Fawn, who is a writer, has appeared on television, lectured at many major universities and professional conferences, and has visited Barbados on several occasions to work alongside the Harris team. In 2015, she was the key speaker at an event hosted by Harris Paints in conjunction with the Barbados Institute of Architects and since then she has conducted design workshops with home and professional designers at Harris Paints and at dealer stores.

“Working with Fawn has been a great advantage for the company,” said Retail Services Manager Shontelle CesarMorris. “As the Caribbean Champions of Colour, we are dedicated to helping our customers in all stages of their project from planning to completion. Working with industry leaders ensure that our teams understand the design process, have access to the latest colour technology, trends and the most innovative colour tools to continue to deliver top-of-the-line solutions to our customers.”

23F

Sunday, October 15, 2017

A big tip from the

A

PERFECT GIFT for newlyweds or a house-warming present for new homeowners, Harris gift cards allow recipients to redecorate, reinvigorate and reinvent spaces in their own unique style and at their own pace.

“A coat of paint is probably the most cost-effective solution to transform spaces and gift cards present that in a perfect package” said Retail Marketing Manager at Harris Paints, Simone Reeves. “Gift cards are easy, attractive and a convenient means to give someone the gift of a new-look room that literally fits in their pocket!”

Last year Harris introduced cards in BDS $100, $250 and $500 denominations that can be purchased at Harris Colourcentre stores, or are also conveniently available online from the company’s website www.championsofcolour.com.

Reeves said while it was virtually impossible to choose colour for someone else, gift cards could ably solve that problem. “ Most of us have an area of the home that could do with a little lift and as Caribbean people we like to freshen up frequently especially for those big occasions like Christmas.” In addition to traditional gift-giving occasions, Reeves also confirmed the cards had been well received by corporate entities looking for unique rewards for customer achievement and recognition programmes.

Little Man