Grapek Recognized as Top Partner at Sames Event

Grapek Bates recently joined Sames and partners from around the world in France to celebrate the grand opening of Sames’ newly completed production facility near Paris.

Held September 22, 2026, the grand opening brought together key Sames partners for an inside look at the company’s continued investment in manufacturing, customer support, and finishing technology.

Blake VanBuskirk represented Grapek Bates at the event, which included a tour of the production facility and customer center, product demonstrations highlighting existing and emerging technologies, and opportunities to connect directly with members of the Sames sales, marketing, and customer service teams.

The visit gave attendees an opportunity to see firsthand how Sames is continuing to invest in its products, facilities, and the resources supporting customers and distribution partners around the world.

Recognizing a Strong Partnership

As part of the event, Grapek Bates was presented with a Top Partner Award, recognizing the relationship between Grapek Bates and Sames.

While the award was accepted on behalf of the company in France, the recognition reflects the efforts of the entire Grapek Bates team. Strong manufacturer partnerships are built through the work that happens every day — supporting customers, developing technical expertise, collaborating on applications, and helping manufacturers find the right finishing solutions for their operations.

That relationship also provides an important benefit to Grapek Bates customers.

By staying closely connected with manufacturers like Sames, our team has greater access to product knowledge, emerging technologies, technical resources, and the people behind the equipment we represent. That knowledge comes back with us and helps our team provide better support throughout the life of a customer's finishing system.

Looking Ahead

The grand opening offered more than an opportunity to tour a new facility. It provided a look at where Sames is headed and another opportunity for our teams to strengthen a partnership that has helped Grapek Bates serve the finishing industry.

We’re grateful to Sames for the invitation, the recognition, and the hospitality throughout the event.

Most importantly, we’re proud of the Grapek Bates team whose work continues to make partnerships like this possible — and we look forward to building on that relationship as we continue helping customers improve their finishing operations.

Looking for Sames equipment for your finishing operation? Shop our selection of Sames products or Contact Us for help finding the right solution for your application.