Composite Panels: Ideal for the Auto Industry

Aluminum and metal composite panels have become the standard exterior building material in the construction of automotive dealerships. Over the years, car dealerships have become multi-brand retail operations with each brand possessing its own identity within the various dealerships.

Worldwide, the automotive industry in particular houses some of the most recognizable and well-respected brands in any industry. As with any corporate identity project, consistency as a means of brand recognition is a determining factor in what building materials are utilized. As explained by Charlie LaNasa of Bestworth-Rommel, “Performance is key to the usefulness of a product to achieve a branding concept. ACM in general, and ALPOLIC in particular, provides the best formability for the weight and cost.”

Composite panels are the natural choice in this industry due to the extensive color range of ALPOLIC in particular, not to mention its customization abilities that allow individual brand identities to be produced. As stated by Ana Keire of Cladco Ltd., “A top reason ALPOLIC is the premium choice for auto dealerships is because of the large gloss range, visual flatness, vibrancy, and that they possess more stocked colours than any other ACM manufacturer in North America"

Although often praised for its aesthetic qualities, fabricators also commend ALPOLIC on its structural qualities of consistency, durability, and flexibility. In fact, Ian Bourgaize of Flexx Corporation states, “This product has advantages over similar products (specifically, formed aluminum plate or steel plate) in that it proves more versatile with complex shapes and angles.”

The common use of ACM in the automotive industry has increased the introduction of this material in other retail segments including food service, hospitality and chain retail.

photos © Mitsubishi Plastics Composites America, unless otherwise specified