The 2024 top paint protection film (PPF) dealers, as compiled by KMR Research, the research division of Window Film magazine’s parent company, are the PPF-majority dealers that had the most revenue in North America last year. Some ascended via unique dealership partnerships or S-tier marketing tactics; one achieved success by being the standout company in a geography that uniquely needs more PPF than others. PPFMag spoke with one geographically challenged owner, Dillon Marian, to get an idea of what business is like in the Last Frontier—the great state of Alaska. His story is just one of 37 dealers who’ve made the 2024 list, but owning a PPF installation company in Alaska brings unique challenges.
Gravel, Grit and Growth: Thriving in Alaska’s Unique Landscape
When you think of Alaska, you might picture snow-capped mountains, vast wilderness and maybe even Sarah Palin. But for Dillon Marian, owner of CCA Motorsports in Anchorage, Alaska means something else entirely: trucks—lots of them—and a whole lot of PPF. Located in an industrial area west of downtown Anchorage, CCA Motorsports has been a fixture in the local automotive scene for nearly two decades. But it’s not just the business that’s weathered Alaska’s long, dark winters—it’s the people behind it.
From Customer to Owner: Marian’s Journey
“I was driving down the road heading to work at a local grocery store. I saw a guy with smoked taillights and asked him where he got it done,” Marian recalls. That chance encounter in 2008 led 17-year-old Marian to CCA Motorsports, first as a customer, then an eager helper and eventually, as a full-time employee.
Fast forward to January 1, 2021, and Marian found himself in the owner’s chair, having purchased the business from its founder, Christopher West, who now works for XPEL. “Chris West is the hardest working man I’ve ever met in my life,” Marian says. “He would be
here almost every weekend, work almost every night. He came from an engineering background and pioneered offering PPF in Alaska back in 2004.”
Under Marian’s leadership, CCA Motorsports has continued to grow. “Every year that I’ve owned it, we’ve done 1.5 times more business than before I did,” he says proudly. The shop has expanded from its original two bays to a sprawling 7,000 square feet, with plans for further expansion on the horizon.
Rocks, Not Salt: Alaska’s Unique Road Challenges
While Alaska’s harsh winters are a boon for the PPF business, it’s not the ice that keeps CCA Motorsports busy—it’s the rocks. “We don’t use any salt up here in Alaska on our roads. We only use gravel,” Marian explains.
This isn’t just in Anchorage—it’s a statewide practice. While the other 49 states primarily use salt to de-ice roads, Alaska stands alone in its reliance on gravel. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) cites several reasons for this, including the fact that salt becomes ineffective at temperatures below 15°F (-9°C)—a common occurrence in Alaska’s winters.
Using gravel, however, creates a unique set of challenges for vehicle owners. Windshields chip, paint gets scratched and headlights become pockmarked. It’s no wonder, then, that PPF accounts for 60% of CCA Motorsports’ business.
It’s not just about protection against gravel. Potholes constantly create debris that could also cause damage to vehicles. While people complain about road conditions in the state, Marian admits Alaska has it better than some of the lower 49 “I feel like none of those people complaining have ever driven in the Midwest or California,” he says. “We’re working on our roads 100% of the time.”
Alaska’s DOT&PF has its work cut out for it. With more than 5,600 miles of paved roads to maintain—spread across a state more than twice the size of Texas—road work is a never-ending battle against the elements. The freeze-thaw cycles, coupled with the weight of heavy vehicles, create a perfect storm for pothole formation.
Trucks, Trucks and More Trucks
Despite conditions, Alaskans love their vehicles—especially their trucks. “Our average customer is a Toyota Highlander,” Marian says, “but 60% of our business is trucks. People in Alaska love their trucks.”
“There are 13 shops that do just truck accessories in Anchorage alone, and they’re all successful,” Marian says. It’s a testament to the Alaskan spirit—rugged, practical and ready for anything the Last Frontier might throw at them.
But don’t think CCA Motorsports isall truck work and no play. “We do more high-end cars than anyone else in the state,” Marian says. From Porsches to the occasional supercar, CCA Motorsports has seen it all. They even worked on Alaska’s fourth Cybertruck shipment, which drew quite a crowd at a local car show.
Anchorage’s proximity to military bases plays a significant role in the company’s customer base. “Anchorage is basically connected to a military base, so we have a very big military presence up here,” Marian explains. This constant influx of new residents—many with disposable income and a desire to protect their vehicles from Alaska’s unique challenges—provides a steady stream of business. Most of them buy trucks, Marian says.
Navigating the Darkness: Mental Health in the Last Frontier
While the business is thriving, Marian is acutely aware of the mental health challenges that come with living in Alaska, particularly during the long, dark winters. “During the winter, the shortest day of the year has about five hours of actual light,” he says. “To me, it’s really about keeping yourself busy and finding hobbies.”
This isn’t just a personal challenge for Marian—it’s a statewide issue. Alaska consistently ranks among the states with the highest suicide rates in the nation. According to the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, the state’s suicide rate is nearly twice the national average, with 28.5 suicides per 100,000 people in 2019, compared to the national rate of 14.5. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is also a significant concern. A study by the American Psychiatric Association found that 9% of Alaskans suffer from SAD, compared to just 1-5% in other parts of the United States.
Marian takes a proactive approach to combat these challenges, both for himself and his employees. “I rely on my vitamins a lot in the winter,” he says, listing off a regimen that includes Vitamin D, ashwagandha, CoQ10 and magnesium. But it’s not just about supplements—it’s about connection.
Building More Than Just a Business: The CCA Family
“I’m an optimistic guy. All day long I’m cracking jokes with the guys,” Marian says. “I believe in having the guys happy all the time. I’m always there for my employees to talk about anything at any time.”
This isn’t just lip service. Marian has created a work environment that feels more like a family than a job.
“It’s cliché for the owner to say that they’re like family, but I do truly believe in that,” he says. “I would do anything for any of my employees.”
From helping employees buy houses to planning summer camping trips with their entire families, Marian goes above and beyond to foster a sense of community.
“At the end of the day, I treat my employees not as if I’m doing them a favor, but as if they’re doing me a favor,” he says. This approach has paid dividends in employee loyalty.
“My turnover rate is very low,” Marian says. “All of my employees have been here a long time.”
But it’s not just about retention—it’s about genuine care. Marian recounts a story of an employee who suddenly stopped showing up for work. Instead of simply firing him, Marian took action.
“I stopped by his house, knocked on the door, and when no one answered, I started knocking on the window,” he says.
It turned out the employee was struggling with depression. Marian’s response? “I told him not to go to work and asked him to sit with me in my truck while I ran errands, then grab dinner.”
This level of personal involvement isn’t just good business practice, but in Alaska, it can be lifesaving.
“When someone’s not answering their phone here, you have to take it seriously,” Marian reminds us.
Weathering the Winter Slowdown
While many businesses in Alaska struggle during the winter months, CCA Motorsports has found ways to thrive.
“For as long as I can remember, we were so slow in the winter,” Marian recalls. That changed after his wife came to work with him full time, resulting in the company’s “best winter ever.”
Instead of laying off staff or cutting hours, Marian keeps his team busy with shop renovations and improvements during slower periods.
“Usually, we do three days of work a week in the winter and renovate, repaint the shop, etc.,” but this past winter was different, he says. “Every single person here this winter had five days of work every week.”
This commitment to keeping his staff employed year-round not only ensures financial stability for his employees but also helps combat the isolation and depression that can set in during Alaska’s long and dark winters.
Looking to the Future
Despite the challenges of doing business in Alaska—from the unique road conditions to the mental health concerns—CCA Motorsports is thriving. The company has grown from a small, three-person operation to a team of ten, with plans for further expansion.
“Our plan is to buy a building, have a home base in Anchorage, and start moving out to the other cities in Alaska,” Marian says. While he acknowledges that there are already shops in other Alaskan cities, he sees potential in places like Fairbanks, Soldotna and Eagle River.
As for the competition? Marian isn’t worried.
“We see a lot of people come up here and try to launch a business doing what we do,” he says. “They make it anywhere from six months to a year, year and a half. Within two years, they’re always closing their door.”
The secret to CCA Motorsports’ success, it seems, isn’t just in the quality of their work—though that’s certainly a factor. It’s in the relationships they’ve built, both with customers and within their team. It’s in their ability to adapt to Alaska’s unique challenges, from gravel-strewn roads to long, dark winters. And it’s in their commitment to being more than just a business—to being a vital part of their community.
In the land of the midnight sun (and the midday moon), CCA Motorsports isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving, one truck at a time.
Casey Flores is the editor of PPFMag.
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