About Max Mayer
In 1895, the Swiss entrepreneur Max Meyer founded the Colorificio Italiano in Milan, which later became MaxMeyer.
At that time Swiss, French, Germans and Austro-Hungarians living in Milan were particularly active in the industrial and commercial sector.
The plant is medium-sized, with about 50 employees, and located in an area characterized by strong industrial and commercial development throughout the 19th century. In these years, powder coatings mixed with linseed oil began to become important.
Within a few years, the carriage manufacturers converted their original craft activity and began to devote themselves to the production of motor vehicles. The MaxMeyer plant is taking part in this major change.
In the 1930s and until the 1980s, MaxMeyer worked side by side with the Italian automotive industry. Fiat and Alfa are world leaders in sports and luxury car design. MaxMeyer supports these companies by developing tailor-made products and finishes that ensure durability and color. During the Second World War, some bombings damaged the plant, forcing production to move to Via Comasina, the current site in Milan. The plant was built according to the most modern standards and equipped with the most advanced machinery: MaxMeyer developed further, becoming a real chemical industry that made technology its strong point. It achieved a leadership position on the Italian market and began its international expansion.
From the mid-1950s, MaxMeyer entered the rapidly evolving steel and automotive industry with its nitrocellulose resin paints produced specifically for the body.
At the beginning of the 80s, MaxMeyer acquired its most important competitor in Italy, Duco, leading to the birth of MaxMeyer Duco S.p.A, known for its complete range of products that meet the requirements of quality and ease of use.
During the entire last century, MaxMeyer became an important international company in the refinish sector, reaffirming its original philosophy: to improve the business of its customers, simplifying the painter's activity through high-performance products that are at the same time easy to use.
Years and years of research and practical applications at the service of customers have made MaxMeyer a company with a professional know-how of inestimable value.
In 1997, PPG Industries completed the acquisition of MaxMeyer Duco S.p.A, reinforcing PPG's position as Europe's leading supplier of automotive paints.