A Pledge to the Future: Fuji Spray Donation Demonstrates Investment in Young Collision Professionals
Created for Collision Repair Education Foundation
To be the best, one must be equipped with the best. That concept certainly applies to collision repair students learning the trade, but it has far-reaching implications beyond the current impact on the quality of students’ work – it also has a significant effect on how smoothly they transition into the workforce…and possibly even whether they decide to pursue a collision career at all!
“Learning with a variety of tools and equipment benefits students because it gives them hands-on experience with what they’ll be using out there in the industry,” stresses David Buell, collision instructor at Ivy Tech Community College (Fort Wayne, IN). It’s particularly beneficial when students can experiment with multiple options, giving them an opportunity to learn which tools meet their unique needs; however, like most educators, his ability to provide a plethora of choices is restricted by a limited budget.
Fortunately, Buell’s program was one of 40 schools that received an exciting contribution to the classroom in 2024, thanks to Fuji Spray’s generous donation of 50 special edition V8 Stealth spray guns. As a result, over 1,700 students across the country now have the chance to develop their refinish skills with one of the most technology-advanced guns available on the market.
“Spray technology and equipment has been evolving, and students deserve to learn and understand the latest spray technologies while in school, making for a more seamless transition to ‘real world shops’ after graduation,” Fuji Spray President David Sherman explains the company’s generosity. “The V8 spray guns (both the MP-V8 Clear and the H-V8 Base) combine incredible transfer efficiency (MP-V8 is certified compliant by SCAQMD) with a very large fan pattern, saving both time and money in the booth. Add to this that the guns are designed for optimal balance as we seek to have the gun feel like a natural extension of the technician’s hand, similar to the feel of a brush for an artist. At the end of the day, Fuji Spray is offering a high-performance gun, rightfully present in its class of top tier competitors, at an unbeatable value.
“Modern equipment allows students to develop their skills to a higher level, enjoying greater performance, efficiency and comfort compared older or lower quality guns,” he adds. “Shops recognize this skill level when looking for new hires, and they appreciate that students can join their team without starting at the bottom of the learning curve. It’s a win-win.”
“Being unable to afford high-quality equipment limits how much I can teach my students, but when the industry donates these types of professional tools and equipment that students are likely to use when they go to work in a shop, it enhances my ability to provide a more complete education for these future repairers; they learn the trade on a higher level,” Buell agrees. “My students love the V8 Stealth guns because they’re so easy to use and produce a superior end-product.”
He also notes that there’s an even greater benefit when the industry supports schools in this way. “Having access to high-quality equipment has a huge impact on students’ morale and the likelihood that they’ll continue in the program – and pursue a collision career after graduation. Spraying with a $60 gun from Harbor Freight may teach them basic skills, but when Fuji Spray donates a $500 tool, students feel like the industry cares about them because they’re granting them access to superior technology and equipment. That investment on the part of the industry yields an investment from the students in turn; their morale goes up, and they’re more committed to learning as much as they can.”
That result is exactly what Fuji Spray was hoping to accomplish, according to Sherman. “Fuji Spray wanted to show students that the industry recognizes the importance of young people entering auto refinishing programs and that they have promising careers ahead.”
Fuji Spray’s belief in supporting the next generation of collision repairers is what led the company to get involved with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) in 2023. “We were looking to identify the best way to support young people in the auto refinishing industry,” Sherman shares. “CREF provides the automotive education industry invaluable support and resources.
The Foundation’s unflagging devotion to collision schools and students inspired Fuji Spray to donate $25,000 worth of guns the last two years, and the organization recently extended its commitment through 2026. “As of 2025, Fuji Spray has also proudly joined the Selection Committee to provide input to CREF in the evaluation of scholarship applications and the selection of winners,” Sherman says. “By 2026, our total support will have reached $100,000. We have been awed by the organization and execution demonstrated by CREF. We have been privileged to attend the CREF Breakfast at SEMA the last few years and to hear the impact CREF’s efforts have had on schools, instructors and students throughout the nation. CREF recognizes the challenges the schools experience and works tirelessly to maximize support.”
The Fuji Spray donation is not the first time Ivy Tech Community College has been the recipient of CREF’s unflagging support. “We won a $5,000 Benchmark Award two years ago,” Buell recalls. “The Foundation is also great for sending packages to aid our program; we receive boxes of safety glasses and various materials and supplies regularly. No matter how large or small the donation, every contribution makes a difference to our program and the students. We appreciate CREF and all of its industry supporters.”
Sherman is proud of Fuji Spray’s involvement in strengthening the industry’s future workforce and urges other collision employers to consider doing the same: “Support CREF in whatever way is possible for your organization – whether that’s cash, in-kind donations or time. We have heard endless stories first-hand how every bit of support counts, and the entire industry is stronger because of it. CREF does an excellent job ensuring the support reaches those most deserving and those who are most in need.”
Although the Foundation is focused on schools and students, their efforts also directly impact another entity with a significant need: collision employers!
“Many collision industry employers need more help,” Buell notes. “They can help themselves out by investing in collision schools and students to ensure high-quality employees will be available in the future. If they’re not helping bring along the next generation of industry professionals, who are they going to hire next? If we don’t support these students now, they may lose interest and pursue careers in other fields. Collision students are the industry’s future – as long as we show them that they’ll have a future in collision by encouraging their growth now.”
“The industry needs these new graduates — hopefully seeing modern tools in their classroom is one small step in demonstrating that,” Sherman agrees; however, Fuji Spray has taken additional steps to invest in future refinish technicians as well. “We have met many impressive young spray technicians — both students and graduates — in recent years, and we have heard how appreciative they are for industry support in the classroom, but they could use support as they begin their careers as well. Fuji Spray ultimately launched an Education Support Program with a distinct feature — in addition to providing spray guns for instructors to use in the classrooms, Fuji Spray also offers deeply discounted guns to students and recent graduates. We know buying the right tools is a meaningful investment, particularly coming out of school, so we are trying to assist by giving the students the savings that historically were reserved for their instructors, while proudly putting Fuji Spray Auto’s spray guns in these young refinish technicians’ hands.”
Industry members interested in getting involved and supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist high school and college collision repair training programs can Contact Us to learn about the many ways to get involved. Monetary donations can be made online.
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The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation, visit us online at: www.CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org.
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If you would like more information about this topic or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email info@ed-foundation.org.
