To meet evolving market demands, John stone's is introducing the leading tinting system in the UK to all decorating centres and selected stockists across the country.

Tinting has grown dramatically over the last few years and is now the preferred method for delivering colour solutions in the UK trade market. In 2006 tinting was worth approximately £25million of SigmaKalon UK & Ireland 's total paint sales.

In-store tinting systems help shops cut down on storage costs, while offering customers an extensive range of colours in various finishes, produced on the spot.

Along with the growing importance of tinting systems, specifiers' and customers' requirements have changed. They demand a wide choice of colours for every product type. At the same time, paint quality has to be consistent across colours and finishes.

An investment for the future

The new system is based on technology that is 2007 VOC-compliant and will allow smooth transition to the 2010 legislation.

Tom Newton, Brand Services Manager, said: "The introduction of the new tinting system, a £2 million investment, is the second phase of the successful John stone's trade relaunch that took place earlier this year, and will reinforce John stone's position as a leading decorative brand in the UK & Ireland market."

Market research, that was set up in preparation of the brand's relaunch in 2006, identified the tinting system as one of the areas that were essential for delivering a leading trade paint brand.

More choice...

Johnstone's current tinting systems, similar to leading competitors, are based on a maximum of 16 universal colorants only. With the new system, a first in the UK market, solvent-based colorants can be used in conjunction with universal.

The new, dedicated technology will lead to significant performance improvements in terms of compatibility, opacity and drying performance, particularly for the solvent-based products.

The new 32-canister dispenser houses 19 universal and 13 solvent-based colorants. The solvent-based colourants will dramatically improve product performance, quality and customer experience, with unprecedented levels of coverage, opacity, colour retention and vibrancy.

As before, customers can also continue to enjoy our unique ColorXpress colour matching service, to replicate any colour they wish.

An automated system for improved quality

The new, fully automated tinting system introduces advances on several fronts. The new base structure offers optimised opacity and coverage. The dedicated solvent and water-based technology allows for better product quality and a wider colour range. The automatic dispensing equipment results in more accurate, error free dispensing and in a highly efficient operating procedure. The system holds 32 canisters (twenty-six 2.5 litre canisters and six 5 litre canisters), and offers simultaneous dispense capability.

To further enhance the system new point-of-sale fixtures have been design ed, to suit decorating centres and stockists' requirements, and to create dedicated tinting areas within John stone's Leyland stores and key merchants.

The flexible point-of-sale options include practical, well-lit working surfaces, interchangeable graphics panels, handy literature storage spaces, and two types of stripe card dispensers; one wall-mounted and one free-standing, rotating unit. John stone's will continue to use the already successful NCS colour system and following feedback from our customers, John stone's will be introducing 180 new pastel shades - extending the colour range to over 15,000 shades.

Spreading the news - confident about colour

An extensive marketing package has been developed with national campaigns starting Spring 2007, with the key message "Confident about colour".

As well as a national advertising campaign in key publications, there will be in-store events, a direct mail campaign, several PR initiatives, demonstrations and exhibitions - all with the aim of driving customers into stores to trial the new system. The John stone's web site will also be expanded with colour inspiration, advice and the new tinting capabilities.

The future of tinting has definitely arrived!

ENDS

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