Durakon awarded Daimler-Chrysler, Saab contracts; company offers alternative to wet painting process

Coatings World, May, 2005

Durakon Industries, a provider of thermoformed products and paint film technology to the automotive industry, has been awarded contracts to supply front fascia appliques to Daimler-Chrysler and Saab for the 2005 model year vehicles.

Durakon manufactures polyurethane sheets for use in the thermoforming process and applies the paint film in a state-of-the-art clean room located at its manufacturing facility in Clinton, TN. The customized thermoforming process then takes place at its operations in Lapeer, MI and Lerma, Mexico.

"Advancing this new technology and broadening our portfolio of decorated automotive products addresses a major new initiative shared today by most OEMs ... that is, developing alternatives to paints," said Ed Gniewek, CEO of Durakon. "It is becoming increasingly obvious that Durakon's new technology provides vehicle manufacturers the required surface finishes, enhanced durability and significant environmental benefits when compared with current wet paint processes."

Durakon's new agreements call for the company to supply a thermoformed front fascia applique utilizing the paint film technology for the 2005 model year Jeep Liberty. It is also already supplying a front-end skid plate for the 2005 model year Saab SUV incorporating the same paint film process. The 2004 Chevy SSR was the first vehicle to incorporate Durakon's paint film process with the Class A finish required by car companies.

"Decorating a surface with the paint film process is more durable than traditional wet painting techniques and we plan to work closely with our partners to develop creative new uses for this process," said Gniewek.