In 1965, insurance salesman Kay Glenn had an idea for a business. Moving to Chattanooga with his wife and young son, Rick, he began selling bumpers to body shops out of the back of a station wagon.

Rechromed Bumper Corporation’s entire product line consisted of recycled bumpers until 1968, when the company became the city-wide distributor for Sherwin-Williams. With the experience and reputation for customer service Glenn had gained from the bumper business, the paint division became an instant success. The company’s name soon changed to Glenn Automotive Paint & Body Supply, Inc.

Through the years, the company grew, adding both products and employees. “We built our reputation with quality products and service,” says Glenn, “and I’d do anything to keep a customer happy.”

The company no longer offers bumper rechroming: that division of the company grew into a large operation that was sold to a national parts distributor in 1997. Glenn Automotive’s core business – as it has been since the early 1970s – is selling automotive paint to collision repair shops. In 2001, the company began offering DuPont Performance Coatings, and quickly became a DuPont Champion Distributor.

From the humble beginnings of the back of a station wagon, Kay Glenn became the Tri-State leader in collision repair products by getting to know his customers and finding solutions to helping them become more profitable. Now joined in the business by son Rick, they continue to focus on customer service, top quality products, and state of the art technology.

Here are photos taken at various times throughout the company's history.
Taken during the early 1970s, employee Jim Stone stands in the core lot with stacks of bumpers waiting to be recycled.
Kay Glenn proudly displays the company's product line at an early trade show.
Rick Glenn taking inventory in the bumper warehouse in the mid-1980s.
Home to Glenn Automotive for 30 years, the company left 1802-1/2 Washington Street in 2000 when it built its new building around the corner on Rossville Avenue.
Company employees in the late 1970s. That's Rick in front, far right, and Kay in the leisure suit right behind him.
"This is Kay Glenn. May I help you?"
Rick and Kay Glenn on the counter.

 
    Copyright 2002 Glenn Automotive Paint & Body Supply, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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