Consumer Blog

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- An experienced leader with a proven track record in sales and revenue growth has been hired as the national sales manager for Franmar, Inc. Craig Rogers of Washington, Ill. will oversee the sales operations of the Bloomington, Ill.-based manufacturer, which produces the BLUE BEAR® retail and industrial lines, and a complete line of screen-printing products. His duties include nurturing existing client relationships and working with the Franmar …

Frank H. Sliney Nov. 15, 1935 - Dec. 8, 2021 BLOOMINGTON - Frank H. Sliney, 86, founder and co-owner of local Franmar, Inc. passed away Wednesday morning, December 8, 2021, surrounded by family and beloved pups: Elphie, Beau, and Carson, at his home in Bloomington. His visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 17, 2021, at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington, where food and soft drinks will …

When the Coronavirus pandemic first took hold early last year, Americans who were used to an abundance of everything 24/7 suddenly saw shortages of paper towels, toilet paper and cleaning supplies, as well as lots of empty grocery shelves. People stocked up and supplies dwindled. Fast forward to today. Shelves are fuller, and paper products and cleaning supplies are easier to come by, but the global supply chain remains in …

BLOOMINGTON, IL -- A veteran manager experienced in many facets of business has been hired as the general manager for Franmar, Inc. Tim Whitlock of Normal will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Bloomington, Ill.-based manufacturer, which produces the BLUE BEAR® retail and industrial lines, and a complete line of screen-printing products. He assumes many of the responsibilities held by Vice President Dan Brown, who will remain with the company …

DIY is having a moment. As home has evolved into a place to live, work and staycation, many of us have decided it’s finally time to get some of those long-lingering projects off the to-do list. Maybe you want to find a dresser to upcycle for your spare bedroom, or some end tables to stain or paint to match your family room. No matter where you live or what’s …

I am not an expert refinisher, I told my new bosses at Franmar. Not even close. I’ve stripped stain just once or twice, and couldn’t recall ever stripping paint. But that was the point, they said. Who better than a newbie like me to show people how safe, easy and effective Franmar products are to use? And what better way for me to understand the products I will help to …

Before coming to Franmar 20 years ago, I served a 21-year stint in the U.S. Air Force and also 12 years pastoring a church. Yes, I’m an old guy, and like the fellow from that TV insurance ad “I’ve seen a lot!” But I’ve never seen anything like what we’re living in now. The whole world is in the grips of this COVID-19 pandemic, and every person on the planet …

BLUE BEAR is always looking for fun and unique projects to share, so when we stumbled across this adorable pony restored by artist Devon Nowlin for The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame using BLUE BEAR Paint & Urethane Stripper, we just had to share! Nowlin is an artist who is a self-described painter. Nowlin came into restoration work by saying “yes” to odd jobs and taking on opportunities …

Removing vintage automotive paint comes with its own unique set of challenges, so when Ralph Tarras was looking for an effective, non caustic and safer paint stripper to help remove 5 layers of paint from his 1946 Ford 5 Passenger Coupe, he was excited to try BLUE BEAR’s new Paint Stripper with Safenol™. BLUE BEAR Paint Stripper with Safenol™ & Vintage Automotive Paint Automotive paints have changed a great deal …

We’ve all seen the warning on the label of something that we have purchased. WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm. www.P65Warning.ca.gov. Sometimes this warning shows up in places where you would least expect to see it. Maybe you’ve seen it on a cup of coffee you pick up from your favorite coffee shop, or the new guitar pedal you just picked up, or maybe even as you’ve walked into Disney...yep, the …