and high-style production and quick
color change-outs on a variety of sub-
strates and finishes.”
As a first step in that evaluation
process, Valspar Wood’s application
engineers conducted line productivity
surveys and mapped line configurations
and equipment based on desired pro-
duction processes. Part of that process
includes analyses of line speed, tem-
peratures, calibration, cure parameters,
coatings formulas, and color integrity,
among other elements required for op-
timum production.
The Valspar Wood team of appli-
cation engineers, technicians, color
formulators, and coatings chemists, re-
ported findings and recommendations
back to American OEM management
to improve throughput, efficiencies
and cost control. From this exercise
a standard operating procedure was
implemented.
“Although American OEM is a new
company, our manufacturing team
has worked together for many years,”
said American OEM chief executive
officer Don Finkell . “We’ve worked
with Valspar for more than 25 years so
naturally they are an important part of
our operation.”
The American OEM operation uses
specialized color mixing equipment
that, when combined with advanced
knowledge and expertise, consistently
replicates colors that are 99.9 percent
accurate. Equally important, the color
equipment promotes sustainability be-
cause it greatly reduces tint and chemi-
cal waste involved in color formulation
and reproduction, in many cases elimi-
nating waste completely.
Finkell continued, “Valspar came in,
evaluated our lines and went to work,”
he said. “They surveyed the current line
speeds and finish parameters and immediately began working with and training
our employees. Valspar’s support was
instrumental in getting our operation up
and running.”
Axalta Receives
Multi-site ISO 14001
Certification for
Global Manufacturing
Facility
Manufacturing centers of Axalta Coating
Systems received certification of conformance with the requirements of the ISO
14001:2004 standard. The certification
has been accredited by Lloyd’s Register
LRQA and is valid for three years. The
certification applies to all 34 of Axalta’s
majority-owned manufacturing facilities
that produce liquid and powder coatings.
“We are very proud to receive ISO certification again and be recognized for our
global efforts to maintain and continually
improve our multi-site Environmental
Management System (EMS),” said Peter
Hurd, Axalta senior vice president for
Operations. “Our renewed certification is
a testament to the effort, dedication and
know-how of the people of Axalta across
the globe. Their diligence and capabilities
help protect our assets, our employees
