The Valspar Corporation (VAL Quick QuoteVAL - Free Report) has launched a new platform for aspiring DIY consumers to provide an interactive and personalized service. This platform, AskVal.com, will help the country’s most widely distributed paint brand take a step forward, by engaging customers in an experience aimed at finding the perfect color to suit their needs. The website provides color exploration and selection, complementary tools like the Valspar Pinterest Analyzer, free professional guidance, photo color matching, color personality test, and free paint chip delivery. 

 

The platform, developed in collaboration with FCB Chicago, is Valspar’s attempt to help individuals who enjoy taking on paint projects, big or small, themselves. The company will provide expert advice to help facilitate their decisions. With a suite of colors and tools, consumers will be able to personalize and choose the desired hues more quickly and confidently. 

 

The website offers a personality test that recommends shades most suitable for an individual’s personality based on several questions. Through options that best describe their taste, the test recommends the most ideal colors that would suit the individual. To complement this test, free-of-charge online consultations are provided to cater to specific needs and preferences. 

 

A unique feature and partnership on the platform aimed at DIY-ers is the Valspar Pinterest Analyzer. The tool can choose colors from any picture and match it to Valspar’s paints, along with turning the users’ Pins into palettes by extracting the most trending colors for inspiration. The company partnered with Pinterest for this feature based on the prominence and dependence of DIY-ers on Pinterest. It is the most frequent stop for such individuals and will provide a unique experience for Valspar’s customers. 

 

Additionally, the platform provides free chip delivery to prospective customers. It brings the reliability of in-store purchasing with the comfort of online browsing. Customers can then visit stores with the chips in hand to begin their project. The company aims to cater to all the needs for painting projects, and provide customers with ease for the same. 

 

Last month, Valspar featured new coatings colors at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Convention and Expo. The line included two color ranges − saturated colors with a weathered, antique aesthetic, Fluropon Effects Rustica coatings, and the green innovation of Fluropon Pure architectural coatings for commercial buildings.  

 

Valspar saw its profits decline roughly 9.2% year over year to 99 cents per share in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 (ended Apr 29). Adjusted earnings of $1.22 per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.26. Revenues of $1.06 billion also trailed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.12 billion. However, revenues from the paints segment saw an increase of 1% year over year to $407 million, although currency headwinds hurt sales by 2%. 

 

Valspar and Sherwin-Williams’ (SHW Quick QuoteSHW - Free Report) definite merger agreement remains on track. Per the deal, Sherwin-Williams will buy Valspar for roughly $11.3 billion or $113 cash per share. The deal, which is subject to the approval of Valspar’s shareholders and regulatory bodies, is likely to be concluded by the first quarter of calendar year 2017.

 

Valspar, which is one of the prominent paint makers, along with Akzo Nobel (AKZOY Quick QuoteAKZOY - Free Report) and PPG Industries (PPG Quick QuotePPG - Free Report) , reiterated its guidance for fiscal 2016 in Feb 2016, in light of the impending merger.

 

Valspar currently holds a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). 

 

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