De Sousa’s shop, Master Window Tinting in Doral, Fla., is known for its professional work and attention to detail. Other local businesses have taken notice. Richard Estrada of High Tech Electronics in nearby Hialeah, Fla., nominated De Sousa saying, “This gentleman is one of the most professional window tinters in all of the U.S. His attention to detail is of the highest standards. I have had the pleasure of working with him for many years and time after time customers request his services.”

De Sousa got his start in the window film business 21 years ago in Caracas, Venezuela, working at a friend of his uncle’s car accessories and window tint shop while he was going to college.

De Sousa stayed in the industry because of his passion for cars. “I like to optimize the vehicles and make them look better than if they were from the factory,” De Sousa says.

Some of De Sousa’s most difficult and unique jobs have involved older cars. “Some of the most challenging projects have been classic cars from the 50′s and 70′s. One I remember was a 1967 VW Beetle and the rear glass on a ‘73 Dodge Dart sedan. Also a challenge was a 100-foot yacht in Coco Plum, Fla. It was tinted and decorated with a picture of the sea.”

De Sousa has many goals for his business and is eager to watch it grow. One of the directions in which he would like to see growth is working on more high-end vehicles.

“I’d like to provide service to exclusive high-end vehicles and the entire public of my community,” says De Sousa. “At the same time I’d like to provide high quality films with high heat rejection, protection of paints and decorating and customizing the exterior of cars. I’m always ready to provide services to our community. They deserve the best.”

De Sousa also dreams of working on cars that are faster than any other car on the road.

“I’d like to provide tear-off films for race cars like those in NASCAR and the Grand Am Series.”

In addition, De Sousa is passionate about protecting and informing his customers about health risks and the benefits of window film.

“I’d like to create programs to educate people about skin cancer and how to prevent it,” he adds.

When De Sousa is not hard at work tinting cars he is a family man at home.

“In my free time I love spending time with my wife and daughter, going to church and going to car races and car shows. I also like to take part in events in the community.”

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Chris Welker, national sales manager of ASWF commented, “We are pleased to welcome Beth to the ASWF team and believe that her many talents and proven sales ability will greatly benefit our customers and facilitate the continued growth of our operations within Florida.”

The full text of the bill is available.

Panarisi is survived by his wife, Anelle, and his daughter, Cara. His funeral service was held on Friday, July 9 and the family is accepting donations to the American Cancer Society in his honor. 

“Please join me in taking a moment to celebrate Paul’s dynamic life and courage; his passion for music and literature; thirst for knowledge; and keen sense of humor. Paul and his contributions to Madico and the window film business will be greatly missed,” says Tom Niziolek, marketing and sales director for Madico.

CLICK HERE to share your memory of Paul Panarisi.

Solutia received $356,000 of this for its Performance Films segment, which intends to use the grant for the continued research, development and commercialization of high-performance, energy-efficient retrofit window film technology for residential and commercial buildings.   

 “The Department of Energy has recognized the value of window films as a retrofit solution to improving energy efficiency,” said Ray Kollar, president and general manager of Solutia’s Performance Films segment. “Today’s consumers have also learned that, just like changing their lighting, window films are an affordable, easy-to-make choice that can add significant energy savings and real value. As a global leader in film technology, we’ll use this grant to keep pushing the technology forward.”

“A building’s energy efficiency starts at its windows,” explains Dave Kaliser, director of product marketing – architectural for Solutia’s Performance Films segment. This will allow technologies similar to those in high-performance low-E glass coatings to be adopted into retrofit window films, while keeping costs in line with the market. “The technologies we’re working on include improved coating flexibility and low infrared-transmission coatings,” Kaliser continues. “These easy-to-install window films can increase energy efficiency year round, with much faster paybacks than traditional window replacement and substantially better energy savings per dollar spent.”

CPFilms, part of Solutia, Inc., is receiving $356,591 toward its project titled, “Low-Emissivity Energy-Control Window Film.” The goal of the project is to develop a range of cost-effective, low-E, energy-control, retrofit window films. The project would work to provide retrofit window films with technology similar to what is used in high-performance low E glass coatings, all while keeping costs in line with current high performance window films. 

3M Company, based in St. Paul, Minn. will be receiving $1,966,611 for its project, “Polymeric Multilayer Infrared Reflecting Mirrors.” The project to develop a polymeric multilayer infrared reflecting film seeks to create a clear and colorless film that reflects 90-95 percent of infrared energy. The film would then be able to be used as a component of other building products.

Pleotint LLC will be receiving $ 402,547 in funding for its project, which will be demonstrating that a variable tint thermochromic window can provide much in the way of energy savings, and  Southwall Technologies received $1,429,326 in funding for its Heat Mirror®, a thin film that fits inside glass.

Energy Products Distribution (EPD), a 3M distributor located in Baltimore, recently held two workshops for its automotive and commercial dealers. The company’s second annual automotive workshop was held May 10-11 for existing and prospective customers. EPD held a brief awards ceremony to recognize its largest paint protection film (PPF) and automotive window film customers, which was followed by a presentation on branding.

Afterward, EPD held an open forum to discuss the revenue opportunity of bundling various products and services such as automotive window film, PPF, headlight restoration, and DI-NOC™ Carbon Fiber Vinyl.

On May 24, EPD conducted its second annual commercial workshop, presented by 3M technical service manager, Billy Pettit. The purpose of the training was to promote industry accepted selling tools to increase a dealer’s selling credibility.

“We’ve always encouraged our dealers to present to a commercial prospect as an educator rather than as a salesperson,”said Manny Hondroulis, marketing manager of EPD. “Using readily available and analytical sales tools to demonstrate the effectiveness of window film does just that.”

“One of our main company initiatives is to provide continuing education for our dealers, whether from a technical or marketing perspective,” said Jim Hondroulis, EPD president. “The two workshops we hosted in May strengthened their knowledge base and were a nice addition to our regularly scheduled EPD University, which we hold online. It was also great to see our customers and enjoy the camaraderie that comes through face-to-face meetings.”

In addition to holding workshops, EPD also hired Sebrina Wajer as its new automotive specialist. Wajer comes to EPD with 12 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket. She began her career working for Enterprise Rent-A-Car and later worked for Koons Ford of Baltimore in the aftermarket department where she sold 3M™ Scotchgard™ paint protection film. Wajer’s focus will be to expand 3M’s share of the automotive aftermarket, which includes working with installers to promote the company’s product line.

The new location will be installing film on automobiles and flat glass, along with other assorted automobile services.

Geoshield distributor in GCC, Fahad Almuzaini, says that the Middle East is a growing market due to “the large number of cars and buildings, as well as increased heat from the sun and a fast growing market.”

Almuzaini says there are more plans for expansion.

“We expect five more locations to enter the Geoshield KSA [Kingdom of Saudi Arabia] dealer program,” he says.

Geoshield is currently running eight branches. Five of those locations are in the KSA, one in Qatar, and one in Oman.