Auto Refinish Market
profitability and productivity. We’re also focused on continually
improving our products to meet the needs of our customers.”
According to AkzoNobel’s Korsmit, there is a shift in the in-
fluence stakeholders have on the market. “Bodyshops used to
be in the driver’s seat of the industry, but stakeholders such as
insurance and OEM companies are exercising more and more
influence,” he stressed. “In addition, we see key challenges and
opportunities as the focus of repairs shift from cosmetic and
technical to dealing with managing increasingly complex sub-
strates, technologies and electronics.”
In order to compete in these markets, the efficiency of
bodyshops is key. Korsmit said AkzoNobel continues to focus
on driving bodyshop efficiency, by providing business services
to bodyshops, developing cost-effective products, continuously
holding an open stakeholder dialogue on the market trends and
jointly developing strategies.
According to Mowson, providing premium products and sys-
tems is another key issue. He cited Sherwin-William’s ULTRA
refinish system, HP Process and AWX Performance Plus water-
borne technology. “They are obviously key to meeting their
needs from a paint product standpoint. It’s also about being
a Solutions Provider to our customers: We feel and have seen
the effects of providing our independent, MSO and dealership
collision repair facilities more than just good paint. We think it’s
imperative to help provide them solutions to increase their busi-
ness’ productivity and profitability through better cycle times,
lean practices and recognizing other shop efficiencies.”
Sherwin-Williams collaborates with its customers to develop
custom solutions based on their specific growth opportunities.
“We employ the industry’s largest team of technical service spe-
cialists in addition to highly-trained field personnel and indus-
try leading consultants to deliver the on-site service, extensive
training and whatever support is necessary to help them achieve
sustainable efficiency,” said Mowson.
Newest Technologies
According to Gillfillan, BASF is the number one chemical sup-
plier to the automotive industry. “Having this broad experience
and know-how enables BASF to be a market-leading coatings
supplier,” he stated. “BASF provides our customers with the
best-in-class refinish products and the most OEM approvals of
refinish paint providers, combined with the best-in-class services
and solutions to support the collision repair industry. We will
continue to bring innovation to the automotive industry, includ-
ing the right finishes as vehicle technology changes (e.g. new
substrates and processes). Not only does BASF have the most
OEM approvals in the Refinish industry, but our partnership
goes much further to shape the mobility of the future. In ad-
dition, we have breadth within the industry by being vertically
integrated. BASF spends 1.9 billion Euros on R&D globally
each year, over 200 million of which is spent in the automotive
industry alone. This enables BASF to continue to bring market
leading, innovative products and solutions to our customers.”
AkzoNobel has stated that it is the frontrunner in the indus-
try when it comes to innovative and sustainable products, as well
as digital solutions.
“Sustainability is at
the heart of every-
thing we do,” said
Korsmit. “We continuously look into products and processes to
reduce the impact of our operations and products on the envi-
ronment while simultaneously delivering business value to our
customers. This includes our range of UV-curing products. The
benefits of such products include the ability to drastically speed
up repair times, eliminate material waste and reduce energy con-
sumption for curing. A true win-win proposition.”
The automotive refinish technology continues to evolve to
address market needs. “Nano-dispersed pigments are used to
recreate very high chromo colors recently introduced by several OEMs,” said Robert K. Roop, vice president, global refinish
technology at Axalta. “Special clearcoat additives have been developed to recreate unique appearances such as “matte” finishes.
And proprietary polymer technology is used to drive highly productive coating systems, including undercoats, basecoats, and
clearcoats. Going forward, Refinish technology will use a variety of pigment, additives, and polymer technologies to recreate
future OEM finishes.”
New Products
Collision shops today are continually challenged to drive effi-
ciencies and profits, and meet stringent OEM requirements.
“BASF wants to be that partner so we will continue to ad-
vance products and services that deliver increases in shop effi-
ciency and drive growth and profitability,” said Gillfillan. “The
newest technologies we recently launched are focused around
reducing cycle time including fast drying clears for Glasurit and
R-M and UV primers. The new Glasurit UV Primer offers excep-
tional holdout and gloss retention on repair areas, can be cured
in seconds using advanced UV curing equipment or cured in the
sunlight, all increasing through put inside the shop.”
AkzoNobel is leading the digitizing of color retrieval, accord-
ing to Korsmit. “Our COLORVATION program builds on the
Photos courtesy of
Sherwin-Williams
