PPG Sets GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Title at SEMA 2025, Showcasing Revolutionary SEM Mix’n’Shake™ Automated Paint Stirring System
a global leader in paints, coatings, and specialty materials, has made history at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, earning a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest simultaneous paint stirring challenge ever conducted. The event, which brought together more than 275 participants, served not only as an engaging spectacle but also as a symbolic demonstration of how much manual labor still defines many processes in automotive refinishing and body repair shops today.
The record-setting activity took place during a major PPG customer event, where hundreds of participants gathered to stir paint simultaneously. The synchronized effort drew cheers from onlookers and created a memorable visual display of teamwork, precision, and enthusiasm. An official representative from GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ was on-site to verify the results, confirming the successful completion of the challenge and validating PPG’s new world record.
While the achievement itself made headlines, PPG’s larger goal went far beyond the excitement of setting a record. The company designed the event to underscore a crucial message: that manual paint mixing and stirring—still common in many collision repair shops—can be transformed through automation. Following the stirring challenge, PPG introduced the industry to its newest innovation: the SEM Mix’n’Shake™ automated stirring system, an advanced solution designed to redefine paint preparation in automotive refinishing.
Introducing the SEM Mix’n’Shake™ Automated System
At the center of the event was PPG’s newly unveiled SEM Mix’n’Shake™ system, a next-generation technology that fully automates the paint stirring and homogenization process. Traditionally, technicians spend valuable time manually mixing and agitating paint to achieve a consistent color and texture before application—a process that not only consumes time but can also lead to inconsistencies and waste.
The SEM Mix’n’Shake™ system changes that. Using a high-precision motorized mechanism, it produces a fully homogenized automotive paint mix in less than 60 seconds. This level of efficiency significantly reduces the time technicians spend on repetitive manual work, freeing them to focus on higher-value tasks such as surface preparation, color matching, and finishing.
By eliminating manual stirring, body shops can reduce rework and recover up to 6% more productive work hours annually, according to PPG’s estimates. The system also delivers consistent mixing quality, helping ensure uniform paint color and finish across jobs—an essential factor for both productivity and customer satisfaction.
In addition to time savings, the system supports a cleaner, more efficient work environment. The automation reduces the need for single-use items such as stirring sticks and disposable mixing cups, which can account for a surprising portion of consumables costs in a busy shop. PPG estimates that body shops adopting the Mix’n’Shake™ can reduce sundry expenses by up to 10%, while also minimizing environmental waste.
A Visual Contrast: Manual Effort vs. Automation
After the record-setting activity concluded, attendees witnessed a powerful contrast between old and new methods. As the crowd applauded their collective accomplishment, PPG engineers activated a Mix’n’Shake™ system on stage. The automated unit began to mix paint hands-free—quietly, efficiently, and flawlessly.
This striking demonstration highlighted the technological leap from manual effort to automated precision. What had just taken 275 people a coordinated effort to accomplish manually was replicated by a single, compact machine in under a minute—perfectly mixed and ready for application.
Rodolfo Ramirez, vice president of PPG Automotive Refinish Coatings, Americas, described the moment as more than just a record-breaking spectacle. “This was more than a record-setting event – it was a symbolic moment for the industry,” Ramirez said. “By showing how much time and effort shops still spend on mixing, we helped our customers see the value of automation. The Mix’n’Shake system represents how far technology has come in transforming body shop operations, helping technicians spend less time on repetitive manual work and more time doing what they do best—delivering exceptional finishes.”
Empowering the Next Generation
PPG also turned the event into an opportunity to give back to the industry. The paint used during the stirring challenge was donated to Dixie Technical College in St. George, Utah, a leading institution in technical education for automotive and collision repair students.
This donation will be used to support hands-on training and practical learning in paint application, color science, and repair technology. By partnering with educational programs like Dixie Tech, PPG aims to inspire and equip the next generation of automotive technicians with the skills and tools necessary for a modern, technology-driven workplace.
“Supporting technical education is one of the best ways to advance our industry,” Ramirez added. “Automation doesn’t replace craftsmanship—it enhances it. By helping students learn both traditional and digital refinishing techniques, we’re preparing them to thrive in tomorrow’s body shop environment.”
Part of a Broader Digital Transformation
The SEM Mix’n’Shake™ launch aligns with PPG’s broader strategy to digitally transform the automotive refinishing process. The system seamlessly integrates with the PPG LINQ™ digital ecosystem, which connects color management, mixing, inventory, and workflow optimization in a single digital environment.
When used alongside other PPG innovations—such as the PPG MOONWALK® automated mixing system, which automates paint dispensing and color mixing—body shops gain a comprehensive, connected solution that enhances efficiency across the entire refinish workflow.
Together, these technologies form an ecosystem that reduces waste, increases throughput, and enables technicians to achieve consistent, high-quality results every time. By combining automation with data-driven intelligence, PPG is empowering customers to make smarter business decisions, reduce operational bottlenecks, and maintain high standards of quality in an increasingly competitive industry.
“Automation and digital integration are no longer future concepts—they’re here today,” Ramirez said. “With solutions like Mix’n’Shake, MoonWalk, and LINQ, PPG is helping customers modernize their operations, minimize errors, and improve profitability. These innovations are transforming the body shop from a labor-intensive environment into one that is smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable.”
Redefining the Future of Automotive Refinishing
The 2025 SEMA Show provided the perfect stage for PPG’s announcement, bringing together automotive professionals, body shop owners, and innovators from around the world. Attendees were able to experience the Mix’n’Shake system firsthand, witnessing how its simple design, intuitive controls, and fast performance can revolutionize daily workflows.
PPG’s achievement also underscores its ongoing commitment to advancing sustainability and reducing environmental impact in the coatings industry. By reducing waste, improving material efficiency, and minimizing the use of disposable supplies, technologies like Mix’n’Shake contribute directly to cleaner, greener shop operations.
In an industry where productivity and precision are paramount, PPG’s latest breakthrough demonstrates how innovation can be both practical and inspiring. The company’s combination of record-breaking creativity, cutting-edge automation, and educational support positions it as a leader in driving meaningful progress for automotive repair professionals worldwide.
As the freshly mixed paint settled after the record-breaking event, one thing was clear: PPG’s SEM Mix’n’Shake™ system isn’t just about stirring paint—it’s about stirring progress. With automation at the core of its innovation strategy, PPG continues to set new standards for efficiency, quality, and sustainability across the automotive refinishing landscape.
PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®
At PPG (NYSE: PPG), we are committed to developing and delivering the paints, coatings, and specialty materials that customers around the world have relied on for more than 140 years. Guided by innovation, expertise, and a spirit of collaboration, we work closely with our customers to overcome their toughest challenges and create smarter, more sustainable solutions.
Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PPG operates and innovates in over 70 countries worldwide, serving a broad range of industries including construction, consumer goods, industrial manufacturing, transportation, and automotive aftermarkets. In 2024, PPG reported net sales of $15.8 billion, reflecting our continued growth and leadership across global markets. Every day, our people and products help to protect and beautify the world, enabling customers to achieve performance, durability, and design excellence in everything they build, manufacture, and create.
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