NACE International Institute (NII), the leading advocate for corrosion control qualifications and solutions, has formally acquired Canada’s Master Painters Institute (MPI).

Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, MPI is a leading North American certification organization for paint performance.

“Our organizations are a natural fit,” says Chris Fowler, president of NII. “The NACE Institute will bring to MPI its resources in the areas of standards, training, and certification, which will benefit the quality of the commercial coatings profession while merging the coatings expertise of professionals on both the commercial and industrial side.”

Intersection of Commercial, Industrial

In this new partnership, NII and MPI will provide a single source for coatings information that meets business requirements for architectural and industrial coatings. The two groups plan to advance the quality of training and certification opportunities for commercial and industrial coatings professionals worldwide.

“There are many areas where NII and MPI activities intersect,” said Davis Kyle, executive director of MPI. “Just this past April, an IHS Markit report found that 40% of the coatings industry is comprised of industrial coatings, while 45% is comprised of commercial coatings. These two market segments are only growing. Now is the time to partner with the NACE Institute.”

The partnership will bring expanded resources from the NACE Institute to MPI, all while allowing MPI to continue operating its customer-focused operations in the same manner it has for years. The certification organization’s products and services, including the MPI Approved Product Listing, product testing, training, and standards, will remain the same.

Demand Rises for Coatings Inspectors

“MPI and the NACE International Institute share the same commitment to quality and professionalism,” said Helena Seelinger, NII’s executive director. “We are happy to be joining forces with MPI to support industry owners in their search for asset protection by qualified coatings products, while also bringing high-quality education and certification opportunities to our combined stakeholders. Demand for commercial coatings inspectors in Canada, the United States, and abroad is increasing, and NII and MPI are working together to cultivate qualified inspectors to meet these needs.”

Based in Vancouver, MPI’s employees will remain in their current roles to support the organization without changing its operations.

“The worldwide expertise of members in NACE and the NACE Institute is the stepping stone MPI needs to serve new areas globally,” Kyle said. “We are looking forward to embarking on this new journey.”

For more information, contact: NII, (800) 797-6223, www.naceinstitute.org