In 2002, three friends from Latvia were on summer break in the United States, selling ice cream in Philadelphia. A turn of events left them stuck, so they decided to make the best of it. All three went to work on Rhino Shield installer crews. Kaspar Melderis, Arvis Plots, and Tom Andzans were here to stay. They were living the American dream.

“We came to the United States on summer break from the university, never intending to stay,” said Melderis. “But we loved the United States and the people here. We wanted to make our mark and just starting [sic] working to get our American dream.”

The three slowly learned the business, rising through the ranks at Rhino Shield. They were eventually running five crews out of the Indianapolis office. When the opportunity came to buy the Chicagoland Rhino Shield dealership, they jumped at the chance.

“We are the only dealer in Chicagoland – we have exclusive rights,” said Melderis. “We’re a local dealer backed by our national office, and last year our gross revenue was $1.6 million and this year, we’re already at $1.3 million, shooting for $2.5 million for 2023. This dealership model just works. We’ve worked hard and found our American Dream.” 

Melderis said he finds people are looking for “their last paint job” and a solution that’s less expensive than painting every three to five years.

“More and more customers are looking to break the paint cycle and find a coating that lasts,” said Kaspar Melderis, Chicagoland Rhino Shield Dealer. “Unlike traditional paint, Rhino Shield is a coating built to stand up against harsh elements for many, many years – and that’s very appealing. Customers also love the fact that Rhino Shield is backed by the manufacturer.”

Chicagoland Resident Chooses Rhino Shield for Lasting Protection

Image courtesy of AmCoat. 

More than 18 years ago, Jerry Kryska and his wife Marla retired and moved into a townhome in Deer Park, Illinois. Soon after he found himself on the board of the homeowners’ association helping with upkeep of the units’ Dryvit Stucco exteriors. They were looking to “break” the three-to-five-year paint cycle and invest in a coating system that would stand the test of time and weather.

“A friend of mine had read about Rhino Shield and recommended I check it out,” said Kryska. “So, I did my research and talked to a lot of people. It was five years ago we chose Rhino Shield to protect our properties. Today, the buildings still look like new.”

The six-building townhouse complex, built in 2005, houses 24 units and was 13 years old when Kryska began investigating an alternative to traditional paint. He said the association was evaluating the expense of regularly having to clean and repaint the buildings. They were cracking and holding mildew, algae and fungus. They knew they needed a long-term solution to protect their investments.

“When I did my research, we found Rhino Shield had built-in protection to repel algae and fungus,” said Kryska. “That means less costs for the routine cleanings we were having to do and that was a big selling point. Add that to a long-term warranty and the breathability of the coating, it really was an easy choice.

“We never have to pressure wash it anymore,” said Kryska. “As a homeowner, it improves the look of the complex, and I can put that money other places. I don’t have to paint every five years and it looks better longer – it’s looks new.”

Veteran owned and made in the United States, Rhino Shield’s elastomeric-ceramic coating goes on eight to 10 times thicker than conventional paint and is warrantied for 25 years. The newly updated formula takes their nanotechnology to the next level.

AmCoat is expanding its Rhino Shield dealer distribution network to Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake City, New York City, Omaha, Buffalo, Rochester, Los Angeles, Boise, Baltimore, Richmond, and more. Businesspeople in those areas who are interested in learning more about starting up a Rhino Shield dealership should email info@amcoatind.com or call (850) 424-6805.