Harris Paints Receives International Award of Distinction

Harris Paints, a Caribbean-based paint manufacturer, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first company outside North America to receive the prestigious Master Painters Institute (MPI) 2025 Commitment Champion Award. This accolade, presented at the AMPP Annual Conference & Expo in Nashville, Tennessee, recognizes Harris Paints’ unwavering dedication to upholding global quality standards within the coatings industry. This commitment is exemplified through the company’s adoption of MPI systems, which encompass rigorous product testing and ongoing professional development training for its personnel.

The MPI, a leading independent third-party organization in North America, plays a crucial role in establishing performance benchmarks for commercially available paints and coatings. These standards, adopted by both the U.S. and Canadian governments, provide a framework for manufacturers, contractors, and asset owners to ensure the long-term performance of their coatings, mitigate risks, and elevate application standards on a global scale. The MPI operates under the umbrella of AMPP, the Association for Materials Protection and Performance, a global community of professionals committed to advancing corrosion control and protective coatings.

Harris Paints’ journey towards achieving this recognition began last year when the company embarked on a program to align its products with MPI standards. This commitment has resulted in six Harris Paints products earning a coveted spot on MPI’s Approved Products List, a testament to their adherence to stringent quality and performance criteria. Furthermore, Harris Paints has invested significantly in MPI’s educational program, recognizing the importance of continuous learning and development for its workforce. This investment has fostered a culture of technical expertise and enhanced the skills of its teams, positioning the company as a leader in the Caribbean coatings industry.

The impact of Harris Paints’ dedication to professional development is reflected in the remarkable achievement of having over a dozen MPI Accredited Coatings Technologists within its ranks. This represents the largest contingent of independently trained paint experts in the Caribbean region, underscoring the company’s commitment to providing customers with unparalleled technical expertise and support. This achievement not only elevates Harris Paints’ standing within the industry but also contributes to the overall advancement of coatings technology and application practices in the region.

The MPI 2025 Commitment Champion Award was presented to Marvin Fletcher, an MPI Accredited Coatings Technologist who leads the Retail and Trade Sales teams for Harris Paints’ subsidiary, BH Paints. Mr. Fletcher, who travelled from Jamaica to receive the award on behalf of the company, expressed his pride in this international recognition, highlighting the significance of a Caribbean company being acknowledged alongside global paint brands. He emphasized that this award is a testament to the quality and performance of Harris Paints’ products and the company’s unwavering dedication to exceeding international performance benchmarks.

Looking ahead, Harris Paints, which currently distributes its products in 16 countries across the Caribbean and Latin America, plans to continue its fruitful partnership with MPI. The company aims to further expand its list of internationally recognized MPI-approved products, reinforcing its commitment to providing customers with high-quality, reliable coatings solutions. This ongoing collaboration with MPI will not only enhance Harris Paints’ product offerings but also contribute to raising the bar for quality and performance standards within the global coatings industry. This dedication to excellence positions Harris Paints as a driving force for innovation and advancement in the field, setting a precedent for other companies in the region to emulate.