Congratulations to Melvyn Ward (aka Ginger) who celebrates 60 years of exceptional PPG service this month. That kind of amazing personal statistic is certainly something we can all be #PPGProud of!
Edit: After 61 years and 3 months of exceptional PPG service, our colleague Melvyn Ward has decided to retire and enjoy time with his family. We thank you for every tint, every sprayed panel and every satisfied customer!
Melvyn Makes PPG History
Melvyn, a color matcher based at the Automotive Refinish site in Stowmarket, UK, will have been with us for 60 years on November 23, 2019. In that time, he has tinted 150,000 colors, mixed 15,000 liters of paint and sprayed somewhere in the region of 500,000 panels! On top of this, he has matched a staggering 15,000 colors – likely more than anyone else in PPG’s history! It’s no surprise that he was chosen as our #PPGProud hero from the UK.
Old photo from late 1960s - Melvyn with his former colleagues
The Complexities of Color Matching
Melvyn is responsible for the difficult yet crucial task of matching colors to the exact specifications of customers. To do this, he uses a microscope to identify flake pigments in the desired color, and then works out which pigments are required to get the same shade. The resulting color is tested under multiple lighting conditions until an exact match is achieved. It then has to be approved by two separate color experts before being presented to the customer.
Color matching is very complex and is more difficult today than it has ever been. It is an exacting skill, made more challenging when the request comes from one of our platinum/premium customers requiring the match within 48 hours. Being able to deliver on this crucial service to customers not only keeps our existing customers happy, but attracts new customers to our business.
Restoring Confidence in Colors
Melvyn loves resolving color issues for waiting customers.
His match quality, speed of service, and customer service is incredible! Even after 60 years of adapting to new technologies, he maintains the highest level of performance.
David Rossiter, PPG EMEA color operations manager
Melvyn’s work is a great example of the main pillar of The PPG Way: “We partner with customers to create mutual value”. It’s fair to say that Melvyn’s actions show just how much he lives by this.
It gives our customers confidence in our business, in our color offer, and in our people.
Melvyn
What’s more, he is always on hand to offer advice and support the rest of the team in any way he can.
Ginger Goes the Distance
Ginger, as he’s known to his colleagues, is a friend to everyone, helping anyone in any way he can. He also does his bit for the environment. In those 60 years, he has been cycling to work every day, which works out around 56,000 miles (90,000 km). That’s twice around the world!
We have great values as a business, but it takes people to make them happen. Melvyn is one of those people. He is a great role model to us all.
David Rossiter, PPG EMEA color operations manager