Fresh Paint
AkzoNobel to supply Volvo with Sikkens
Peter Larsson (left), deputy director at
Volvo, and Heiner Schwan, global key
account manager automotive (right) at
AkzoNobel, confirm the new contract
between the two companies.
AkzoNobel has signed a global contract
with Volvo Car Corporation to supply
their dealer network with its Sikkens
products. This makes AkzoNobel
Sikkens one of the preferred suppliers
listed in Volvo’s new VIDA (Volvo
Information & Diagnostics for
Aftersales) system. This worldwide
web-based system provides Volvo dealers with information about recommended and approved products and
repair procedures.
In Volvo’s VIDA, Sikkens paint
products and systems for use in
Europe, North America and Asia can
be found. The new contract confirms
the partnership between Volvo and
AkzoNobel Sikkens.
“It took a significant amount of
hard work to carry out all the tests
and get Volvo’s approval to have
Sikkens products and paint systems
listed in PIA (the Paint Information
for Aftersales) section of the web system,” said Stefan Wieditz, AkzoNobel
car refinishes global technical manager OEM aftermarket. “Now we can
provide Volvo’s network of global
dealers with everything they need to
meet car drivers expectations and
repair shop requirements.”
Rogier Sassen, from AkzoNobel car
refinishes global product management,
was involved to ensure the right
Sikkens product information was placed
in the VIDA system. “We are delighted
that our high performance clearcoats
like Sikkens Autoclear LV Superior and
Sikkens Autoclear UV have been included, as well as our waterborne basecoat
Sikkens Autowave,” he said. “The
Sikkens products Volvo selected represent our latest technology.”
PPG TO ACQUIRE BASF NA COIL,
EXTRUSION COATINGS BUSINESS
PPG has reached an agreement with
BASF Corp. to acquire its North
American coil and extrusion coatings
(COEX) business. The agreement does
not include the COEX businesses of
BASF SE in Europe, South America
and Asia.
BASF’s North American COEX business serves the construction; appliance;
transportation; heating, ventilation and
air conditioning (HVAC); lighting fixture; and extrusion industries. The business operates manufacturing sites in
Decatur, AL, and Monterrey, Mexico, as
well as a production line in Belvidere,
NJ. The business employs approximately 200 people.
PPG will acquire BASF inventory,
its customer list and book of business
as well as various patents and trade
names associated with acquired products. BASF will continue to supply
products from Decatur, Belvidere and
Monterrey under a manufacturing
supply agreement for 11-12 months,
after which BASF will close the
Decatur facility and the Belvidere
facility’s Plastisol line.
Production from the Decatur and
Belvidere operations will transfer to
PPG’s Springdale, PA, plant where
approximately $8 million will be spent
to install equipment needed for the
consolidation.
“PPG is intent on retaining the technical and sales capabilities of BASF,”
said William A. Wulfsohn, PPG senior
vice president, coatings. “As a result, the
combination of BASF and PPG will better enable us to provide innovative technologies, high-quality products and
superior customer service.”
3M COMPLETES
ACQUISITION OF MEGUIARS
3M has completed its acquisition of
Meguiars Inc., which manufactures the
Meguiars brand of car care products for
cleaning and protecting automotive
surfaces. Meguiars products include