Axalta
March 2014 www.coatingsworld.com Coatings World | 69
segment in many Asian countries. “We sell all our prod-
ucts and brands in Asia,” said Sethi. “We have successfully
launched our most advanced waterborne coating systems
for aftermarkets in all major countries and as a result have
the distinction of being the lead supplier of waterborne of-
ferings for aftermarket across the region. Our sales teams
in Asian countries are supported by strong technical service
teams and regional technical centers.”
Over the next few years Axalta’s plans to continue its
strategy throughout the region to meet customer needs
by establishing facilities close to its customers, expanding
manufacturing capacity of waterborne coatings to meet de-
mand, and continuing to invest in our people and communi-
ties. “We have done this in China with our new Shanghai
Waterborne Facility,” explained Sethi. “We aspire to find
growth opportunities in virtually every segment that we
serve and market in which we operate. In addition to sup-
plying OEM customers, both our Refinish and Industrial
businesses present opportunities for growth. Our recent ap-
pointment of Mike Cash to run our global Industrial busi-
ness speaks to our commitment to expand both our liquid
and powder coating offerings in Asia to a wide variety of
rail, bus, heavy-duty truck and other commercial transpor-
tation and general industrial customers.”
Axalta is committed to supporting its customers’ long term
plans in China by constantly exploring new ways to support
their long term growth, including building new plants to expand
capacity and developing cutting-edge, waterborne products.
“Our business strategy in China is a reflection of our con-
fidence in this market’s long term prospects,” said Sethi. “Our
decision, made only 100 days after becoming an independent
company, to choose China as the location of Axalta’s first major
capital investment demonstrates our confidence in our custom-
ers, the industry and the nation. We broke ground for construc-
tion in January.”
“Our investment to expand capacity in Shanghai is in direct
response to the needs of our OEM customers who are building
new manufacturing facilities in southern and western China,”
added Sethi. “In Shanghai, we have an Asia Pacific Innovation
Center and Global Color Lab that together support a robust
R&D pipeline. For example, the R&D team at the Global Color
Lab develops new colors for model cars displayed at auto shows
or for new customer target groups. The opening of the new Asia
Pacific and China Head Office in Shanghai and our recently an-
nounced Sustainable Education Program in China, which aims
to support the local community by providing grants to partner
universities and students, each demonstrate our commitment to
the region.” CW
Axalta Unveils Sustainable Technology Education Program at Asia Pacific Head Office Opening
Axalta Coating Systems unveiled the Axalta Sustainable Technology Education
Program in China. The Axalta Sustainable Technology Education Program will
be part of a global education program
and marks Axalta’s first corporate social
responsibility program in China as an independent company.
“At Axalta, we recognize the crucial
role that young people and their educa-
tion play in the future of both commerce
and the community,” Charlie Shaver,
Axalta’s chairman and CEO explained
at the ceremony. “Our innovative tech-
nology requires the best research and
scientists in industry, many of whom will
be graduates of universities in China. It’s
with this in mind that today we are ea-
ger to invest in the leaders and scientists
of tomorrow. We are confident that our
added support will foster the technology
needed to help China and the rest of the
worldgrow sustainably.”
Axalta’s Sustainable Technology Edu-
cation Program will support academic
excellence in the field of sustainable tech
ology and bring promising students
closer to the international working en-
vironment. As part of the program in
China, Axalta will provide scholarships
to students at China’s top materials
science and chemical engineering uni-
versities, hold periodical campus Tech
Talks hosted by Axalta scientists, con-
duct an Axalta University Open Day and
partner with universities for co-op pro-
grams. Participating students will also
have an opportunity to intern at Axalta
to experience commercial research and
development and observe first-hand
the company’s sophisticated product
lines, technology applications, and sus-
tainable production processes.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony for the
opening of Axalta’s new Asia Pacific head
office, Shaver recognized students from
seven universities in China who had previ-
ously received Axalta scholarshi
“I am pleased to announce the Ax-
alta Sustainable Technology Education
Program at the opening of our new Asia
Pacific headquarters. It’s especially auspi-
cious to be able to do so on the 30th an-
niversary in which Axalta businesses have
been in China,” said Shaver. “We strive to
expand in a sensible way to ensure that
our customers, employees, and commu-
nities all benefit from our growing pres-
ence in China and the region. Our new
regional head office accommodates the
growth of our business with a comfort-
able and productive work environment
for our employees. Our education pro-
gram supports promising students in
their academic development to enable
them one day to contribute to China’s
sustainable development.”
Zhu Xinyuan, a professor at Shanghai
Jiaotong University, one of the universi-
ties that Axalta is partnering with through
the education program, said, “We deeply
appreciate Axalta’s support for our stu-
dents and university. We are eager to
partner with Axalta, a leader in the field of
sustainable technologythat has taken tan-
gible steps with this education program
to improve both industry and society in
China for future generations.”
