Airport Markings & Highway Contracting Services at Hi-Lite Markings, Inc.

Online, June 3, 2010 (Newswire.com) - In recent weeks we have received questions in regards to industry wide traffic paint shortages that many airport markings contractors have been receiving. This statement is to provide you with a brief overview of the challenge at hand and Hi-Lite's commitment to our current and future customers.
With Hi-Lite's industry experience and longstanding relationships in the traffic paint industry, we have confirmed there are shortages in the raw materials used to produce various resins which are the foundation of traffic paint. This shortage is partially a result of the 2008-2009 economic decline in which some resin processing was permanently eliminated.

On May 6th, Dow Chemical Company issued a a force majeure for Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) as a result of circumstances beyond their reasonable control. MMA is a main component in the production of acrylic resins that are used in waterborne traffic paints. Dow Chemical additionally stated that as a result of the Force Majeure, Dow is only able to supply their manufactures an allocation of 50%-80% until full production and supply levels have resumed. As a result these manufactures are being forced to put their customers on allocation and have indicated price increases during this product inventory shortfall.

Hi-Lite has secured an increased inventory of traffic paint as a precaution should this shortage last for an extended period of time. In an effort to conserve traffic paint resources, Hi-Lite recommends that any airports interested in surface painted signs please contact Hi-Lite to discuss AirMark by Flint for pre-formed thermoplastic as an alternative.

All airport marking projects will continue as scheduled and we look forward to inviting more customers as we continue to grow throughout the world. For over 20 years, Hi-Lite has provided efficient, high quality work that meets time sensitive maintenance schedules and will continue to do so during these industry struggles.

Hi-Lite's incredible team and superior equipment and commitment from industry vendors make Hi-Lite the right choice and the best value of any airport marking and maintenance contractor in the industry.

For more information on the issue and recent news story please visit the NY Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/24/us/24paint.html
This story was the catalyst for a recent CNN Story.