Equipment, Supplies, and Training for the Professional Refinisher
NAPCO Refinisher
When we think about target audiences for remodeling, Millennials are usually not the first population to come to mind. However, as Millennials begin to make up more of the workforce, their capacity for home buying and improvement is increasing. In fact, according to a recent report by Home Advisor, Millennials are becoming a growing force in the remodeling industry. This has important implications for refinishers as this trend could present new opportunities for growth and will no doubt shape the business over the next several decades.
Though the report showed that the baby boomer generation still accounted for the majority of growth in the remodeling sector, Millennials are a close second group. They also have a unique characteristic that sets them apart from other populations, which is a strong desire to customize their space and make it their own. This may be because this generation, which came of age in the era of social media, highly values authenticity. This then translates into a need for a more personalized and homey space.
Another reason that Millennials are becoming a stronger force in the remodeling sector is that they face much more financial strain than previous generations did at their age. Soaring student loan debt and the economic crash from ten years ago means that most Millennials have fewer funds at their disposal than their parents did at the same stage in life. Because of this, they can often only afford older, cheaper houses, and these houses will require a lot of upkeep and repairs over time. The Home Advisor report found that Millennial homeowners spend more than any age group on home improvements except for baby boomers.
Millennials also have a higher capacity for DIY projects, as this method is almost always cheaper than hiring a professional. DIY projects allow Millennials to express their creativity in shaping their space, as well as to save money. However, this can also mean that Millennials more often require professionals to help fix DIY projects that perhaps did not turn out as well as expected (such as bathtub refinishing!). As Millennials age and become more financially stable, studies show that they then tend to begin hiring professionals to complete projects on a more regular basis.
We hope you will be able to take this information and implement it into your business strategy, and hopefully be able to acquire new customers within the Millennial market!
When we think about target audiences for remodeling, Millennials are usually not the first population to come to mind. However, as Millennials begin to make up more of the workforce, their capacity for home buying and improvement is increasing. In fact, according to a recent report by Home Advisor, Millennials are becoming a growing force in the remodeling industry.
Refinishing Industry Innovator Plans Multiple New Product Releases in 2018
On Thursday and Friday, September 14 and 15, leadership from NAPCO, Ltd. attended the Coatings Trends & Technologies conference in Lombard, IL to learn about the latest innovations in the kitchen and bath refinishing industry. Dani Nichols, vice president of NAPCO and Steve Zamborsky, creative director of NAPCO, learned from industry leaders about new coating technology research and products, as well as business strategies for senior leadership. There was also an extensive table-top display where companies could reveal and demonstrate new products.
The headlining panel discussion on Friday was called “Technology Transfer: Using the Want, Find, Get, Manage Model to Commercialize Technology.” Four industry experts discussed this business model, developed by Dr. Gene Slowinski of Rutgers University, and how to successfully discover and implement innovation within a business. This is especially important to NAPCO at this time, as the company anticipates launching more than five new products in both its bath and new kitchen refinishing product line in 2018.
“As the technology for customer-driven discovery grows, many businesses are finding themselves overloaded and overworked with too many projects in the pipeline,” explained Nichols. “The last thing we want is to have too many great ideas and not enough resources to implement them, especially with the roll-out of our new products next year. This conference was very helpful in outlining best practices for active project management to meet customer needs.”
In addition to the keynote presentations and panel discussions, attendees could choose smaller presentation tracks that offered more customized topics. These topics included architectural coatings, industrial/OEM coatings, additive innovations, resin developments, equipment, green/bio-based technology, low-VOC/waterborne technology, pigment technology, and smart/multi-functional coatings.
“Hearing about data-driven case studies and new coating products is really great, but the networking sessions are also important,” reflected Zamborsky. “I always enjoy the opportunity to meet and discuss successes with like-minded industry leaders!”
NAPCO remains dedicated to learning and exploring business growth strategies and new coating innovations at the highest level to provide the best products, service and advice to refinishers. This is especially important now as NAPCO prepares to launch more than five new kitchen and bath refinishing products after the first of the year. Be sure to keep a look-out for more information regarding these new products in the near future!
Dani Nichols, vice president of NAPCO and Steve Zamborsky, creative director of NAPCO, learned from industry leaders about new coating technology research and products, as well as business strategies for senior leadership.
Steve Coven, owner and creative director at NAPCO, was recently interviewed for the Entrepreneur Podcast Network about how the entrepreneurial spirit drives the success of both NAPCO and its customers to develop products and delve into new markets.
During the interview, Steve discussed how NAPCO became the best in the professional countertop refinishing business and how NAPCO’s refinishing training allows customers to successfully build businesses and client bases.
“It is always a joy to be able to share all the things we do at NAPCO with a wider audience,” commented Steve. “We have such a different system here of personalized customer care and creative innovation that I think a lot of small businesses could learn from.”
Steve also talked about some of NAPCO’s unique bathtub refinishing supplies, like our eco glaze tub coating and the recently-patented Bath Tub and Shower Inlay kit.
Listen to Steve’s full interview, and stay tuned for more NAPCO news!
Steve Coven, owner and creative director at NAPCO, was recently interviewed for the Entrepreneur Podcast Network about how the entrepreneurial spirit drives the success of both NAPCO and its customers to develop products and delve into new markets.
NAPCO has been named one of “Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” by the National Association For Business Resources. This highly sought-after award is granted to just 101 Chicago-area businesses each year for having demonstrated above-and-beyond dedication to customer service and human resources.
Each of the 101 companies will also be competing for 13 elite awards in each of the categories they qualify for. Companies are divided into small, medium, and large businesses according to the number of people employed at each business (1-100, 101-300, and 301+ respectively).
“We are absolutely thrilled to have been named as one of Chicago’s best and brightest companies in the small business category,” said Steve Coven, Owner and Creative Director at NAPCO. “At NAPCO, providing top-notch customer service has been our mission for over thirty years, and I am so pleased that this dedication has been officially recognized.”
Companies are selected for this award by an independent research firm that evaluates each entry based on several different standards. These include compensation, benefits and employee solutions, employee enrichment, engagement, and retention, employee education and development, recruitment, and many other categories.
“I am very excited to be attending the symposium and awards luncheon this year,” commented Dani Nichols, Vice President at NAPCO. “The motto of this award is ‘better business, richer lives, and stronger communities,’ which is exactly what we are striving for each day at NAPCO. I hope to be able to connect with like-minded business owners and learn useful growth strategies at the event.”
NAPCO has been named one of “Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” by the National Association For Business Resources. This highly sought-after award is granted to just 101 Chicago-area businesses each year for having demonstrated above-and-beyond dedication to customer service and human resources.
On Friday, April 21st, NAPCO’s Dani Nichols and Steve Zamborsky visited downtown Chicago for the Innovation Whitespace Conference 2017 presentation “Developing into the Unknown.” The conference aimed to provide a space for entrepreneurs looking to identify new innovation opportunities within their businesses.
“We have been looking forward to the Whitespace Conference for a while now,” said Dani Nichols, Vice President of NAPCO. “Though we attend many conferences throughout the year, most of them are specific to the refinishing industry and are focused on new technologies within this space. These are great things to learn about, but it is important to us that we also expand our knowledge on a broader scale.”
The conference consisted of a variety of speakers from many different types of businesses who shared their thoughts on how to best expand and exploit gaps within the existing market, or how to radically change the market landscape to best suit the unique needs of different companies. There was also a presentation of the “Whitespace Challenge,” during which six university product teams explained the ideas, technologies, and methodologies in creating their projects. The afternoon segment of the conference was dedicated to a hands-on workshop that explored how to identify design whitespace by using existing patent data.
“This was a great learning experience for Dani and me,” reflected Steve Zamborsky, one of the creative directors at NAPCO. “I am so excited to take the techniques we were taught at the presentations and workshop and implement these into the NAPCO business strategy.”
NAPCO is constantly striving to be a leading innovator in the bath and kitchen refinishing industry, and this includes taking a well-rounded approach to conference attendance and learning opportunities. We make this effort because we are dedicated to providing the best possible products and advice for our refinishers! Check out the rest of our blog section for descriptions of conferences we have attended in the past.
On April 21st, NAPCO’s Dani Nichols and Steve Zamborsky visited downtown Chicago for the Innovation Whitespace Conference 2017 presentation “Developing into the Unknown.” The conference aimed to provide a space for entrepreneurs looking to identify new innovation opportunities within their businesses.
On March 20-22, Steve Zamborsky of NAPCO visited downtown Cleveland, Ohio for the 2017 CoatingsTech Conference. The conference featured a special lineup of industry experts speaking on a variety of different topics, as well as technical classes aimed at exploring new ideas in the coating tech world.
At the 2017 CoatingsTech Conference
In addition to these seminars, the conference offered an award competition in three areas; the best paper award, the ACA student presenter award, and the student poster session award. The winners of these competitions were invited to speak and display their work for comment at the symposium.
“I always enjoy the student poster portion of these conferences,” commented Steve. “These students are doing important and ground-breaking research in the field of coating technology, and older folks like me can still learn a lot about new trends and technology!” he finished.
While in Cleveland, Steve was a part of the short course “Smart & Multi-Functional Coatings: How They Are Conceived and Made.” This three and a half hour-long session was taught by Jamil Baghdachi, a Professor of Polymer and Coatings at Eastern Michigan University. While attending the short course, Steve learned about new opportunities for research and breakthroughs in the coating tech industry, and how best to convert this type of research into actual practice. The course addressed new technologies like self-cleaning and dirt-resistant coatings, as well as superhydrophobic and ice-phobic films.
For the final day of the symposium, there was a Regulatory & Sustainability Focus Special Session. This all-day seminar featured a number of special guests speakers who highlighted new innovations in sustainable coating technologies and the importance of investing in these types of solutions.
NAPCO remains committed to providing the best possible service for our clients, and this means keeping up-to-date on all the latest information in the field. Check back later for more updates on conferences and symposiums attended by dedicated NAPCO employees!
On March 20-22, Steve Zamborsky of NAPCO visited downtown Cleveland, Ohio for the 2017 CoatingsTech Conference. The conference featured a special lineup of industry experts speaking on a variety of different topics, as well as technical classes aimed at exploring new ideas in the coating tech world.
Steven Zamborsky, head of development at NAPCO, attended The Waterborne Symposium in New Orleans, Louisiana, from February 19 to the 24. Since 1973, The Waterborne Symposium has hosted numerous conference events and seminars that focus on the discussion of ground breaking research for eco-friendly coating technologies.
Steven Zamborsky, head of development at NAPCO
A panel of expert speakers and researchers educated Steve in the most effective techniques and training on progressive and environmentally secure coating technology. Steve is NAPCO’s leading researcher who understands a wide range of information in this area. He believes in the success of NAPCO and continuously works to improve their eco-friendly coating products.
“I am grateful I had the chance to attend the Waterborne Symposium because NAPCO believes in the importance of conserving our environment and knows that eco-friendly coatings can help the situation,” said Steve, after returning from his experience at the conference. “Our goal at NAPCO is to continue to find new ways to improve the success of our products in an environmentally friendly and secure way. We plan on using the research I gathered at the conference to continue advancing our product line.”
While at the conference, Steve attended the session led by Robson F. Storey, a professor of Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Mississippi. The session helped establish and address the best ways in which NAPCO can achieve success regarding their eco-friendly coatings. This intensive two-day class dealt with waterborne coating technology and best practices, encouraging Steve’s optimism for NAPCO’s future. He fully believes this new research can increase NAPCO’s success of implementing eco-friendly solutions and obtaining the most innovative products for their customers.
The Waterborne Symposium provided additional opportunities for NAPCO and Steve, and helped to further the development for new and progressive practices on the eco-friendly coatings that NAPCO has to offer. “I am so impressed with the findings presented at the Waterborne Symposium and I am working to incorporate what I’ve learned into new initiatives at NAPCO. Our future is looking very bright and I’m excited for what the future may bring.” Steve said, grinning.
Find NAPCO’s eco-friendly coatings here. For any further questions about our products or training programs, feel free to send us a quick message in the chat box.
Steven Zamborsky, head of development at NAPCO, attended The Waterborne Symposium in New Orleans, Louisiana, from February 19 to the 24. Since 1973, The Waterborne Symposium has hosted numerous conference events and seminars that focus on the discussion of ground breaking research for eco-friendly coating technologies.
October 25-27, 2016: NAPCO joined several other suppliers, buyers, and users to attend The ASSEMBLY Show located at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. This assembly trade show provided assembly driven content and education to discover new techniques, products, services, while also facilitating new connections with suppliers.
NAPCO's team at the 2016 ASSEMBLY Show
There were over 20 different presentations and workshops at the trade show including simulations for balancing mixed-model assembly lines, discussions regarding collaborative robotics, a panel discussion pertaining to recruiting and retaining women in manufacturing, and much more. Additionally, the keynote presentation was given by Ray Muscat, The University of Michigan entitled, “The Herman Miller Performance System Journey: Overcoming the Challenges of Implementing a People Focused Production System.”
Hundreds of companies had booths and were exhibitors at the ASSEMBLY Show three of which were AIR-VAC Engineering, Nordson Sealant Equipment, and Tutelar Technologies. NAPCO was also able to participate in networking opportunities with these vendors at both the ‘Taste of Rosemont’ Welcome Reception and the ‘Pub Night’ Networking Reception.
Dani Nichols, Vice President of NAPCO said, “We are eager to collaborate with our industry partners in order to discover new ways to make us better at what we do.” This unique trade show brought assembly processes to the next level once again, and encouraged suppliers, buyers, and users to explore all things “assembly.” The NAPCO Team was excited to attend this year’s ASSEMBLY Show and left with new professional connections, knowledge of innovative technologies, and assembly processes used throughout the industry.
October 25-27, 2016: NAPCO joined several other suppliers, buyers, and users to attend The ASSEMBLY Show located at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. This assembly trade show provided assembly driven content and education to discover new techniques, products, services, while also facilitating new connections with suppliers. There were over 20 different […]
NAPCO attended the Coatings Trends & Technologies (CTT) Conference in Lincolnshire, Illinois this week. CTT is a two-day technical conference that has become a valuable resource for chemists, formulators, and R&D personnel. The conference provides innovative, practical solutions to formulation challenges and discusses changing trends in coating technologies.
NAPCO team attending the Coating Trends and Technologies Conference
For six years, the CTT conference has brought together 300 qualified coatings professionals, technical managers, chemists, formulators, R&D personnel, and applicators. Attendees, such as NAPCO, are eager to learn which products and services can improve their formulations and procedures within the refinishing business.
Other benefits to attending the CTT conference are to:
- Create more value with fewer resources
- Prepare for future innovation
- Find ways to become even more environmentally friendly and worker friendly
- Network with industry professionals
- Broaden reach within the industry
On the agenda for this CTT conference are a number of talks given by speakers who are professionals in the field. These speakers consist of chemists, research scientists, account managers, and more. A few sample titles of these talks are:
“New Acrylic Polymers for High-Performance Interior Wall Paints”
“Ambient-Cure Resin Technology for Heat-Resistant Coatings”
“Modified Recycled Materials for Improved Coatings Performance - A New Multifunctional Additive.”
NAPCO is always looking for the best refinishing trends and these talks provide a perfect opportunity for NAPCO to learn about the newest techniques, procedures, and formulations.
Learn more about NAPCO’s pursuit to deliver the highest quality product and training here.
NAPCO attended the Coatings Trends & Technologies (CTT) Conference in Lincolnshire, Illinois this week. CTT is a two-day technical conference that has become a valuable resource for chemists, formulators, and R&D personnel. The conference provides innovative, practical solutions to formulation challenges and discusses changing trends in coating technologies. For six years, the CTT conference has […]
Celebrating 37 years in business this month, NAPCO is committed to giving their refinishers what they need to run successful home-based businesses. From hands-on, classroom based training to fast delivery of top-of-the line refinishing products, NAPCO partners with their customers every step of the way.
“We know that our refinishers depend on us to keep them on the job. If we don’t deliver products on time, or train then on how to best apply those products, not only does their business suffer, but, by extension, those who depend on them suffer as well. We take that obligation very seriously, which is why we track our own performance so closely,” says president of NAPCO Steve Coven.
For four years, ninety-eight percent of orders received by NAPCO have shipped out of the plant in the same day. Later this year, they are introducing packaging that will better protect products during shipment and lids that create a better seal on products. This innovation is a direct result of customer feedback. In a recent survey of current customers, the company found that 96% of respondents rated NAPCO’s products as “good” or “excellent.” Ninety-three percent of respondents gave the company’s customer service a rating of “good” or “excellent.”
“The survey affirmed for me the hard work that we do at the plant every day to better serve our refinishers,” says Coven. “As a former refinisher myself, I know the value of having a great company with great products to work with and so I push NAPCO to be that company every day.”
Celebrating 37 years in business this month, NAPCO is committed to giving their refinishers what they need to run successful home-based businesses. From hands-on, classroom based training to fast delivery of top-of-the line refinishing products, NAPCO partners with their customers every step of the way. “We know that our refinishers depend on us to keep […]