News

Walled Lake, MI - March 3, 2009 - Matrix System Automotive Finishes sadly announces the passing of the company's president and founder, W. Kent Gardner.

Kent was a successful entrepreneur with a strong work ethic and caring nature towards all who worked for and with him. He was a forward thinker, vision driven individual with a strong sense of purpose.

Kent graduated from Michigan Technological University where he received a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and continued on to receive his Masters degree from Wayne State University in Finance. Early in his career, he purchased a Maaco Auto Painting franchise and continually searched for ways to improve his bottom line. His education and work experience would become the catalyst which stimulated him to develop alternative, cost effective products to work in conjunction with his paint system.

In 1983, he founded S.P. Services and began networking with other Maaco franchise owners selling "generic" paint hardeners under the Diamond label. He wanted to give his customers the quality they demanded, at a reasonable price.

By 1988, Kent with the help of his first sales person, sold replacement paint hardeners over the phone to a few hundred Maaco and other body shops. He then took a huge gamble, sold his highly profitable Maaco shop and devoted himself full time to running his new manufacturing operation. Kent changed the name of his company to Matrix System Automotive Finishes, added clearcoats, primers and solvents to the product line and continued building brand recognition throughout the industry.

The gamble paid off, Kent's high quality; low cost philosophy would find him at the forefront of change in an industry typically dominated by large chemical companies. Matrix System Automotive Finishes had become the first aftermarket company to successfully bring to market a complete line of intermix system toners, pearls and companion products. Kent challenged body shops across the country to "Put it to the Test!" and by doing so he helped to open minds and create new market segments.

Today, Matrix System employs over 100 people in the greater Detroit area and has 20 Salespeople across the country. Matrix System now has over 300 Jobbers and 7000 body shop customers who have used its products for years. Kent's ideas and insights proved to be right for the marketplace.

"From the idea of starting a body shop to building a world class organization, Kent was an extraordinary entrepreneur," said long time colleague and friend, David Brunori, Business Unit Manager. "He also shares the love of the business with his daughter, Ginger and his son, Bill, who are both actively involved in the organization today. His energy and creativity lives on in this business through his children and all of his friends and colleagues....nothing will ever replace that."

Matrix System has become the fastest growing, most innovative paint company in America by giving customers what they needed, products comparable to the major brand paint companies for a fraction of the cost.

Kent's continued guidance and focus enabled him to combine with Quest Specialty Chemicals in 2006 to ensure that Matrix System is poised to continue the tremendous success his organization achieved over the last 25 years. His dedication to the company resulted in outstanding customer service and delivering high quality products to the thousands of loyal Matrix System customers.

Kent's commitment to finding ways to solve the everyday challenges of our customers, coupled with both his passion for life and desire to help others will truly be missed. He leaves behind a legacy that will not be forgotten.

About Matrix System
Matrix System Automotive Finishes, a subsidiary of Quest Specialty Chemicals, has grown to become one of the industry's most successful manufacturers of high quality clearcoats, primers, hardeners, and reducers, along with the AccuShade™ Intermix Paint System. With our full line of products and services, Matrix has been able to convert thousands of body shops, once loyal to major brand paint companies and lowering their material bills dramatically each month. Today, the Matrix System AccuShade® Intermix System now leads the product line, giving body shops the ability to make over 60,000 colors with exact formulas and 2.1 VOC compliant products for California and other areas. www.matrixsystem.com