Sikkens P3 Program Certifies Dozens of Painting Contractors in Its First Year

Contractors enroll in P3 University to learn intricacies of wood coatings

Troy, Mich., June XX, 2005 – In less than a year, almost one thousand contractors in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states have joined the Sikkens P3 Contractor Program. Of these, many specialized contractors have completed the Sikkens P3 Certified Contractor program to earn special credentials in understanding the intricacies of using an array of stains and paints on wood structures and surfaces.

As members of the Sikkens P3 Contractor Program, contractors earn points for buying Sikkens products, for completing the certification program and for referring other contractors to the program. These points enable the members to compete for tickets to major sporting events and for the Super Bowl Grand Prize in 2006.

Last year’s winner of the Hula Bowl Grand Prize, Robert Thayer of Heritage Painting and Restoration in East Haddam, Conn., believes the P3 Contractor Program has been valuable to him and his customers.

“Sikkens has done a good job of letting me know the products and proper application methods since I’ve become certified,” Thayer says. “They really personalize the program; you feel part of a team. Unlike other manufacturers who funnel literature through dealers, Sikkens sends me mail directly every month, with the number of points I have and what will be happening next month. They do a good job of communicating one to one with contractors.”

Thayer recounts that his P3 certification recently helped him with a very large bid for a PGA course. “I always spec Sikkens,” he states. “When they see that spec and that I’m a certified contractor and have been trained in coatings application, it adds credence to my proposal.”

The Sikkens P3 Contractor Program enables individual contractors to partner with Sikkens as a way of enhancing their reputations and the confidence of their customers in the quality of products they employ. Those who enroll to become a P3 Contractor receive a number of items and discounts that reflect their commitment to Sikkens quality, including:

• A P3 membership card w/ program registration number
• A Sikkens P3 T-shirt
• A Sikkens P3 baseball hat
• A coupon for two free gallons of Sikkens products
• Enrollment in a rewards program based on purchases

Certification under the P3 (Painting Professional Partner) program requires painting contractors to enroll online in the Sikkens P3 University and scrutinize a 75-page study guide before taking an online test of their knowledge of wood and wood coatings. Topics covered include such areas as understanding the nature of wood, products to use for specific exterior or interior surfaces, ways to prepare various types of wood for coating, characteristics of different coatings and specifications of individual Sikkens-brand decorative wood finishes for a variety of outside and indoor applications. The second step in the certification process requires an onsite job inspection by a Sikkens technical representative.

The program, launched by Sikkens-brand manufacturer Akzo Nobel Decorative Coatings of North America in July 2004, offers contractors who complete the certification process a number of competitive benefits, including:

• The Sikkens University Certificate of Completion
• An exclusive listing on the Sikkens Web-based contractor locator
• A personalized Web page on the Sikkens Web site
• Special product promotions and offers
• A promotional Sikkens P3 "Weather Gear" rain jacket
• Sikkens marketing materials and quote kit

P3 certified contractors also qualify for the Certified Contractor Grand Prize, a trip for two to Detroit for the 2006 NFL Super Bowl game.

Contractors can become a P3 Contractor partner or enroll in the P3 Certified Contractor program by visiting the P3 section of the Sikkens Web site at www.nam.sikkens.com/contractor.

About Akzo Nobel Decorative Coatings North America
Based in Troy, Mich., Akzo Nobel Decorative Coatings North America (DCNA) is the business unit that manufactures the Sikkens line of decorative finishes, used to enhance and protect commercial buildings, homes and decks. It includes Cetol® (translucent) and Rubbol® (opaque) finishes for both interior and exterior use. Sikkens wood finishes line also includes waterborne interior stains and topcoats that offer a professional finish with minimal odor, easy application, quick-drying and fast cleanup with soap and water.

Recently, DCNA assumed direct responsibility for North American marketing and manufacturing of the company’s Synteko brand of high-end, wood floor coatings and established separate profit centers for Synteko and its longstanding Sikkens brand of wood care products.

For more information, please contact Sikkens at 1-866-Sikkens or visit www.nam.sikkens.com.