Kentucky's SportPaint Bucks Auto Supplier Trend, Posts Significant Growth

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Dec. 18 -- SportPaint, Inc., a Louisville- based provider of quality, environmentally compliant paint finishing for metal and plastic components to the automotive, automotive aftermarket and motorcycle industries, projects a 134 percent increase in sales for the year ending December 31, 2001.

The privately held company was founded with eight associates in 1995, and has posted annual sales gains averaging 178 percent over the past five years.

Thomas Cunningham, president of SportPaint, attributes the company's continued growth to SportPaint's dedication to providing quality products and exceptional service to customers in the automotive and motorcycle industries. ``We focus on meeting and exceeding customer expectations for quality, delivery, communication and pricing. We develop the skills of our associates to allow them to make significant contributions to the success of our organization,'' said Cunningham. ``Our customers know they can rely on SportPaint to meet their needs, and their continued confidence in us has led to our strong growth.''

Cunningham notes that SportPaint projects continued strong growth in 2002, anticipating a sales increase of 277 percent over 2001 sales levels. ``While many auto suppliers and manufacturers are experiencing economic challenges due to market conditions, SportPaint is positioned for ongoing growth because we are able to be flexible and meet the changing needs of our customers.''

Founded in 1995, SportPaint is ISO 9002 certified and currently employs 115 persons. SportPaint utilizes leading industry technology in High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) spray equipment and state of the art down draft spray booths. SportPaint's process control and design allows it to provide customers with the capability of multi color changes and various production volumes for a variety of metal and plastic parts