Success drives innovation

R-M was started in Detroit, US, more than 100 years ago, and it continues to play a key role in shaping the development of automotive industry. Innovative, easy-to-use solutions and high colour competence – lead to increased productivity and customers business success worldwide.

About R-M Paint

R-M is highly productive

Not only are R-M products specially formulated to help bodyshops drive productivity, they're backed by leading services such as management training for bodyshop managers.

R-M offers easy-to-use solutions

R-M delivers on its easy-to-use commitment by offering comprehensive training on how to apply, and maximise the use of, all its products.

Leading support from expert teams

Our professional sales team and technical support team are always available to answer your questions. Added to this, R-M shares all its expertise directly with directly with bodyshops through training and other services.

Top OEM partner to global brands

As a top OEM partner to global brands, R-M has established itself as a pioneer in the industry, consistently pushing the boundaries of innovation, particularly in colour matching. Our unwavering commitment to this mindset drives us to create cutting-edge products and solutions that enable bodyshop teams to perform at their best, delivering superior results with speed and efficiency.

1919

1919 - Detroit - USA

The company’s founder, Herbert Mason, joins forces with Fred Rinshed to form the Rinshed-Mason Company, which soon became the largest paint supplier to the growing automotive industry.

1926 - First customers

Cadillac, the world-famous prestige car manufacturer and first choice of US presidents, orders the first batch of material.

1929

1929 - Miami - Florida

R-M pioneers paint durability testing and creates the industry’s first paint exposure test site in Florida.

1931 - Colour trends

R-M launches the first metallic finish for cars.

1948

1948 - Paint optimization

R-M revolutionizes the market by introducing the Tintometer and the first mixing base system.

1960's - R-M in space

R-M provides one of the first Space missions with the “heat-resistant black lacquer”.

1963

1963 - Expansion to Europe

R-M Automotive Refinish establishes its research, development and manufacturing facility in Europe, near Paris.

1970 - Innovation continues

R-M produces the first waterborne OEM paints.

1981

1981 - R-M products continues to grow

A new world innovation: the DIAMONT basecoat line is launched in Clermont.

1990 - Modern training facility opens

Creation of the Refinish Competence Center in Clermont: one of the most modern training centers in Europe

1995

1995 - Leading colour identification

Colormaster, the world’s leading colour identification tool is launched and revolutionizes colour matching in the industry.

1996

1996 - Digitalisation

R-M is the first to launch a website in the automotive refinish industry to put all of its colour formulas online, making it easy for painters to find the details they need with ease.

2000 - Advanced Business Services

R-M’s innovative service package, specially developed for managers, is launched to help bodyshops increase their productivity and sales. It was initially called Programs For Success.

2009

2009 - Digital colour identification

Colortronic 2 is launched. It's the second generation of R-M’s colour measuring devices that helps bodyshops to identify the matching colour and select the right formula faster.

2010 - 10th Best Painter Contest

The 10th International R-M Best Painter Contest takes part in France (Clermont de l’Oise).

2011

2011 - Customer networks

R-M Premium Partners launch in Europe.

2013 - Best training facilities in Europe

The R-M International Refinish Competence Center becomes one of the most modern training facilities in Europe.

2015

2015 - R-M, brand of BASF

R-M is confirmed as the caring business partner worldwide, A brand of BASF - We create chemistry. In this year, R-M’s next generation of clearcoats is launched.

2018 - Digital colour identification

Colortronic 12/6 Perfect colour matching is launched. Customers create perfect results thanks to R-M’s unique colour database.

2018

2018 - e'Sense launches

e’Sense products launched in Europe with BASF’s certified biomass balance approach, helping to reduce CO2 emissions.

2019 - 100 year anniversary

R-M, premium paint brand of BASF, celebrates one hundred years in business.

2020

2020 - Agilis launches

Substainability has become a mega trend in society. R-M launches AGILIS the global waterborne basecoat line that matches eco-effective high quality products with the lowest VOC-content ever.

Colours & Design

R-M is the preferred partner for those who value strong colour competence with dynamic, highly-productive business solutions for bodyshops.

International Best Painter Contest

This is R-M's premium flagship event, designed to develop and nurture young talent on a global stage to ensure the sustainable future of skills in the refinish coatings industry.