Sherwin-Williams will once again sponsor the Media Room at the BodyShop News Africa stand during Automechanika Johannesburg, taking place from 27 to 29 October.
A key feature of the Media Room is the Post Graduate Journalism Program launched by BodyShop News Africa in 2024. The initiative aims to provide postgraduate students with valuable exposure to the automotive industry while helping to cultivate the next generation of specialist automotive journalists. By supporting the Media Room at Automechanika Johannesburg 2026, Sherwin-Williams demonstrates its ongoing commitment to South Africa and the broader African automotive sector.
Training continues to form a central part of the Sherwin-Williams value proposition. The company's Automotive Training Department is dedicated to equipping customers, distributors and employees with up-to-date knowledge of products, procedures and industry developments. The objective is to enhance productivity, strengthen technical expertise and contribute to long-term business success.
Training programmes cover a wide range of topics, from fundamental collision repair processes and colour theory to advanced application techniques for specific refinish systems. Courses combine classroom-based learning, multimedia presentations, practical demonstrations, interactive discussions and hands-on training. The integration of digital learning tools and tablets ensures participants gain experience that reflects the realities of modern repair facilities.
Experienced training specialists oversee every programme, combining technical expertise with effective teaching methods. Continuous evaluation and feedback help ensure participants gain practical skills that can be immediately applied in the workplace.
About Sherwin-Williams
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes, known locally in South Africa as Valspar, has built a global reputation as a trusted partner throughout the automotive value chain. In today's highly competitive refinishing environment, success requires more than quality paint products. Accurate colour matching, durable coatings, technical support, digital tools and professional training all play a critical role in helping businesses succeed.
As a division of The Sherwin-Williams Company, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes manufactures and distributes a comprehensive portfolio of advanced automotive paint and coating systems. Its customer base includes automotive distributors, collision repair centres, dealerships, fleet operators, vehicle manufacturers, auto body builders, refinishers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
The company combines innovative coatings technology with practical support programmes, offering premium colour tools, integrated digital solutions, business development initiatives and comprehensive technical training. These services are designed to help customers improve efficiency, quality and profitability.
One of Sherwin-Williams' core strengths is its vehicle refinish systems, developed around the principle of colour precision. Using advanced manufacturing processes and premium raw materials, these systems are engineered to achieve accurate colour matching from the first application, reducing costly rework and improving customer satisfaction.
The product portfolio also includes a complete range of undercoats, additives and clearcoats. Sherwin-Williams clearcoat technologies are designed to boost productivity by reducing cycle times while lowering labour and energy costs. Customers can choose from fast air-dry products, premium full-bake solutions and environmentally responsible low-VOC options to meet varying operational and regulatory requirements.
Beyond passenger vehicle refinishing, Sherwin-Williams provides specialised fleet and commercial vehicle refinishing systems that deliver enhanced durability while maintaining exceptional appearance and colour quality.
The company also supports OEM interior coating applications through dedicated sales and technical teams. In addition, Sherwin-Williams offers a broad range of equipment, repair products and finishing supplies, enabling customers to source comprehensive refinishing solutions from a single supplier.
Through its combination of premium coatings, advanced technology, technical expertise and industry-leading training programmes, Sherwin-Williams continues to position itself as a complete automotive refinishing partner focused on helping customers achieve superior quality, improved productivity and sustainable business growth.
