Julio Bueno’s career as an Automotive Refinish business manager is a testament to what combining passion, innovation, and dedication can do. His commitment to improving the refinish paint industry in Brazil and Latin America has not only enhanced productivity and efficiency in body shops but also addressed critical challenges in the sector. Julio popularized PPG MOONWALK® in the area, influencing how numerous local paint shops function.
Julio Bueno: Popularizing innovative tools in Brazilian paint shops
Defining Sales Excellence on the Go
Julio Bueno began his career at our company in 2006 as a sales representative. From the outset, his exceptional sales performance not only earned him multiple awards but also led to his promotion of regional sales manager for the São Paulo region in Brazil.
"During this time, I received two internal Chairman’s Awards for Commercial Excellence. In 2023, I was promoted to business manager, taking on responsibility for the entire business unit."
Over the years, Julio steadily expanded his influence across all of Brazil, thanks to his incredible contribution to popularizing our MoonWalk system in the country. He not only made the work process in paint shops more efficient, but also addressed a major challenge in the Brazilian paint industry, which is a lack of qualified labor.
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The MoonWalk Game Changer
PPG MoonWalk is a groundbreaking automated paint mixing system that transforms body shop mixing rooms, making them cleaner, safer, and more efficient. Instead of relying on manual mixing, MoonWalk uses a self-contained, splash-free system that prevents spills and ensures highly accurate mixing. The system is controlled by a computer with an easy-to-use interface that connects to an integrated mixing system and color management software.
Beyond boosting productivity, the automated system reduces human error and improves both quality and consistency.
"But more importantly, MoonWalk addresses one of the biggest challenges in our region: the shortage of workers – not just skilled ones, but also those interested in our industry. The system makes the color mixing process more engaging and intuitive, allowing employees to focus on higher-value tasks while simplifying their everyday work."
PPG MoonWalk is part of the PPG LINQ™ digital ecosystem of color tools. When combined with PPG VISUALIZID™ software and PPG DIGIMATCH™ spectrophotometer, Julio calls the system "unbeatable" for color adjustment and weighing.
"Our main challenge was creating a value proposition that appealed to each customer’s needs, putting them at the heart of our strategy, and showing them how MoonWalk could truly benefit their business."
Spreading Innovation to the Future
The first multi-brand body shop in Brazil to implement MoonWalk was Chavão, located in the state of São Paulo.
"After three months of operation, the feedback on productivity and product savings was incredibly positive. Today, Chavão serves as a reference site, where we bring prospective clients interested in MoonWalk to hear real-life testimonials."
MoonWalk is also a favorite in FRISON body shops, which is a true trendsetter in Brazil. Since the local team installed the first machine in one of their stores, they have expanded the system to multi-brand businesses of various profiles.
"We already have MoonWalk systems operating in Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, and are currently in negotiation with other countries of Latin America South region."
This shift in mindset within the paint sector in Brazil towards innovation, combined with Julio's passion for technology, leads him to believe that tools like MoonWalk will be a milestone in the Brazilian paint industry, while also driving significant progress and profitability for clients who adopt it. As Julio emphasizes, the sense of purpose in his work is always the key driver of his career.
"I carry with me a sense of pride, gratitude, and renewed purpose. The awards were more than just recognition; it was a catalyst for growth. I expect many more remarkable moments like this in the future!"
