Paint and coating industry's global leader eyes China's industrial upgrading

The Sherwin-Williams Company from the United States, a global leader in the paint and coating industry, is committed to serving the diverse industrial upgrading needs of the Chinese market and contributing to China's high-quality growth, said a senior executive during the 8th China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

Making its CIIE debut this year, the company joined its many partners at the expo to showcase coating solutions with sustainability attributes for the industrial sector and in support of China's dual-carbon strategic goals, unveiling several products and technologies in China for the first time.

Eyeing the nation's industrial upgrading, the company brought exhibits covering a variety of applications, including industrial manufacturing, transportation, energy resources, building infrastructure, furniture decoration, and packaging containers.

Henry Wu, managing director for the APAC region at the Sherwin-Williams Company, shared with China Daily in an exclusive interview during the expo that the CIIE serves as a landmark platform for China to promote high-level access and an excellent platform for the convergence of global innovation resources.

The company received many positive feedbacks from CIIE exhibitor partners over the past years, which brought it to the expo to together explore the new path for industrial upgrading in China as well as seek new opportunities for win-win cooperation.

During the expo, the company signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China's leading automotive maintenance brand JD Auto Care. The partnership will establish a new benchmark in the automotive aftermarket, delivering a premium body and paint service experience for consumers, according to Wu.

"Our participation in the expo not only aims to fully showcase our latest technological achievements in sustainable development, but also to engage in in-depth dialogue with Chinese industry partners, customers, and friends from all walks of life," said Wu.

In addition to products and solutions designed for industrial sectors, a pipa (a four-stringed Chinese lute) featuring the company's coating technology also captured much attention from visitors. Using modern technologies to mimic the images in a much more efficient and protective way, the company is hoping to pay tribute to the intangible cultural heritage and traditional Chinese craftsmanship.

Opening its first office in China in 1930, the company has located its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Shanghai. It has strategically established four modern production facilities and four labs across China, and has been deeply involved in the construction of many local landmarks such as Shanghai Tower, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and Beijing Daxing International Airport.

"We are very proud to experience and witness the vigorous development of China over the past 40 years. In the future, Sherwin-Williams expects to deepen its regional presence in China and further strengthen its market engagement. We are in China, and for China," said Wu.