50 | Coatings World www.coatingsworld.com December 2013
Axalta Coating Systems’ custom waterborne, Beyond Bronze paint on a Ford F-350 truck that was customized with recycled and
eco-sensitive materials by the Eco Trek Foundation received favorable attention. It caught the eyes of attendees and judges at the
Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) tradeshow in Las Vegas, NV. Eco Trek won Ford’s Outstanding Achievement in
Design Award for its stylish customization and eco-friendliness.
Eco Trek’s winning truck, known as an eco-expedition vehicle, is the brainchild of Eco Trek Foundation executive director, Tom
Holm, and is a collaborative effort, with Ford sponsoring the vehicle, the U.S. Navy developing algae-based bio diesel fuel that
powers the truck and Axalta donating the paint that was applied by students studying collision repair and vehicle refinishing at Los
Angeles Trade-Technical College (LA Trade-Tech).
Axalta and Eco Trek are both pleased with the collaboration and, especially, the chance to give students an opportunity to pre-
pare for careers in the industry. “Eco Trek is about educational outreach,” said Holm “We’re fortunate that we’re able to take that a
step further where we become educators in the classroom environment. Through Axalta, we’ve been able to take our vehicle to LA
Trade-Tech for students to paint the truck with this amazing water-based color, utilizing Axalta’s expertise.”
Eco Trek is a non-profit organization that conducts research and educational programs to advance the use of renewable
fuels and materials.
The SEMA tradeshow is the premier automotive specialty products trade event. It provides attendees with educational seminars,
product demonstrations, special events and networking opportunities. CW
Ford EcoTrek Vehicle Painted with Axalta
Coating Systems’ Custom Waterborne Paint
Wins at SEMA
Eco Trek’s Ford F-350 painted with Axalta Coating Systems’ waterborne paint wins at SEMA.
