German company introduces marine coatings to U.S. market
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Mankiewicz Gebr. & Co., Germany’s 100-year-old coatings manufacturer, is entering the U.S. marine market for the first time with its introduction of an exterior coatings system, the company reported in a statement yesterday.
Spearheading this new product introduction to the U.S. will be Christian von der Heyde, who previously served as president of U.S. Paint, the developer and manufacturer of AWLGRIP marine coatings, according to the company.
Mankiewicz will introduce its exterior coatings system under the ALEXSEAL brand name. It features a two-part, linear polyurethane topcoat that produces an extremely high-gloss finish with superior resistance to abrasion and the harmful effects of saltwater and sun, the company reported.
A warehousing and distribution facility is being set up at the company’s existing site in Greenville, S.C., and Von der Heyde will head up a sales and marketing office in St. Louis, Mo., the company stated.
“I see a big opportunity for a new, customer-friendly company to enter the marine coatings market,” says von der Heyde. “This is an industry built on strong relationships between boat builders, boat yards and suppliers. We want to offer not only a technically superior product, but also the advantages of dealing with a company that is flexible and very responsive to the needs of our customers.”
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