Axalta Coating Systems is strengthening its performance testing capability by
opening a new product development center at its facility in Lionville, PA. The center is equipped with a Global Finishing
Solutions professional spraybooth and
advanced HVAC infrastructure designed
to enable specialists to simulate a variety
of North American climate conditions.
The simulation will help to assess refinish
automotive paint application.
“Now application specialists can
evaluate products in extreme environmental conditions and fine-tune a
product’s application characteristics, if
necessary. This should help us make a
more robust product and get it to the
customer faster,” said Stefan Reinartz,
Axalta National Refinish product manager. “Opening this facility is a testament
to Axalta’s commitment to be the leader
in product innovation and technology.”
Axalta’s refinish coatings range from
surface preparation to undercoats,
basecoats and high gloss clearcoats
across a portfolio of brands that include
Cromax, Standox, Spies Hecker, Nason,
and Imron PowerTint. Each product is
formulated to be effective in different
climates and when coating various substrates such as metals, plastics and composite materials.
The facility is engineered to enable a
quick turnaround from product development to launch. “A more refined prototype helps to eliminate some of the
iterative processes in field testing and
should ultimately shorten the time to get
a finished product to market,” said Burt
Palmer, Axalta product manager.
Hempel Acquires Dutch
Coatings Manufacturer
Schaepman
Hempel has acquired Schaepman’s
Lakfabrieken B.V, a leading Dutch sup-
plier of specialized industrial, protective
and decorative coatings. The acquisi-
tion is part of Hempel’s five-year growth
strategy, One Hempel – One Ambition,
and supports its goal of becoming one of
the world’s top 10 largest coatings suppli-
ers by the end of 2015.
Hempel’s group president and CEO
Pierre-Yves Jullien said, “We are focused
on developing or acquiring new solu-
tions that add real benefits to our cus-
tomers. Schaepman represents what we
were looking for. It has a solid position
on the local market, a strong brand, in-
novative R&D and specialist products
that will enrich our global assortment.
In addition, Schaepman’s expertise in
the industrial coatings segment will
help open new business possibilities for
Hempel in this market.”
Schaepman’s management said it is
excited about the acquisition. “With
Hempel we have found the perfect match.
Like Schaepman, Hempel, has many
years of experience and a strong focus
on R&D. Furthermore, Hempel’s solid
global presence will allow us to broaden
our customer, geographical and techno-
logical base,” said Berend ten Doeschate,
Schaepman’s CEO.
Hempel acquired the U.S.-based protective coatings manufacturer Blome
International Inc. in 2012. Hempel has
seen significant growth in the Americas
as a result and many Blome products
are now available to Hempel’s global
customers. Hempel said it expects to
continue increasing its market presence
through strategic acquisitions within its
key segments.
PPG Plant in Bangplee,
Thailand Recognized for
Zero Workplace Accidents
PPG Industries’ coatings manufacturing facility in Bangplee was recently
recognized with a Zero Accident
Award by Thailand’s Department
of Labor Protection and Welfare,
Ministry of Labor.
The Zero Accident Award honors
companies that demonstrate excellence in
prevention of workplace accidents. It is a
benchmark for environment, health and
safety programs (EHS) in Thailand.
The plant received a bronze-level
award from Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry of Labor Jirasuk Sugandhajati
for achieving between 1 million and
2.99 million personnel hours worked
from January 2012 through July 2014
with no occupational accidents causing
workday loss.
“We are proud to be recognized for
our commitment to safety within PPG
Thailand,” said Kiat Wisanrakkit, plant
manager, Bangplee. “We aim to engage
all of our employees in creating a safe
work environment, and we operate and
invest in equipment to provide a high
level of safety.”
The plant uses a “near-miss” accident
reporting system, employs a management
intervention program and recognizes
employees for strong safety practices.
Wisanrakkit said these practices help the
plant run smoothly and promote a cul-
ture of safety there.
PPG Offers Paper Color
Samples for Select Duranar
Coatings
PPG Industries’ coil and building products group is now offering 10-by-10-inch
paper color samples of 10 Duranar coatings through www.requestppg.com, its
on-demand sample- and literature-order-ing portal.
Sharon Bird, PPG marketing communications manager, industrial coatings, said
the new paper cards are designed to satisfy
requests from architects and designers for
large color samples that more closely approximate actual metal panel sizes.
“We are always seeking new ways to
make it easier for building professionals and their customers to visualize how
coatings will look on a finished project,”
Bird explained. “The new 10-by-10-inch
color samples provide a cost-effective
way to do so.”
Axalta Opens New
U.S. Product Development Center
