Caribbean-based paint manufacturer Harris Paints achieved a notable milestone at the AMPP Annual Conference & Expo held in Nashville, Tennessee, by receiving the Master Painters Institute (MPI) 2025 Commitment Champion Award.
A company statement said that the recognition marks Harris Paints as the first and only company outside of North America to be honored with the “global honor,” The award acknowledges the company’s efforts in promoting international quality standards through the implementation of MPI systems, which include comprehensive product testing and ongoing professional development training—what it describes as “hallmarks of excellence in the coatings industry.”
MPI is an independent third-party organization in North America that establishes performance standards for commercially available paints and coatings. Its standards are adopted by both U.S. and Canadian governments. MPI provides support to manufacturers, contractors, and asset owners to ensure durable performance, minimize risks, and elevate application practices worldwide.
MPI is affiliated with AMPP (the Association for Materials Protection and Performance), a global organization dedicated to advancing materials protection through corrosion control and protective coatings.
The award was presented by Alan Thomas, CEO of AMPP, and Juan Caballero, AMPP Chair for 2025, to Harris Paints’ representative Marvin Fletcher. Mr. Fletcher is an MPI Accredited Coatings Technologist responsible for leading the Retail and Trade Sales teams at Harris’s subsidiary, BH Paints. He traveled from Jamaica to accept the award on behalf of the company.
Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Fletcher stated, “For a Caribbean company, being recognized with an international award alongside global paint brands is indeed an honour, and a testament to the quality and performance of our products and our commitment to exceeding international performance benchmarks”.
Since joining the MPI program last year, Harris Paints has had six products listed on MPI’s Approved Products List, reports the company. It has also reportedly invested in MPI’s educational programs to enhance technical expertise and skills within its teams. Currently, Harris Paints has over twelve MPI Accredited Coatings Technologists, representing the largest group of independently trained paint experts in the Caribbean region.
Harris Paints supplies products across 16 countries in the region, including Latin America. The company states that it intends to continue its collaboration with MPI and aims to expand its portfolio of internationally recognized MPI-approved products in the upcoming year.
“MPI is an independent third-party organization in North America that establishes performance standards for commercially available paints and coatings. Its standards are adopted by both U.S. and Canadian governments.”
“Harris Paints as the first and only company outside of North America to be honored with this global award”
So basically a USA organisation not recognised outside of north America. I am not taking away from their award but pease do not describe a USA organisation as global. The EU, UK, Japan, Indian and other major regions have their own and often far superior standards to which products available for sale in their regions must adhere to. It’s why the UK will not allow USA hormone beef and poulrty into their markets for example. Anyway I digress, well done on Harris.
Thank you for your valid observation. The article now reflects the term “global” as a direct quote from the statement.