Axalta Coating Systems Opens Regional Auto Refinish Training Centre in Dubai

Newest Axalta facility will deliver superior refinish services for the region

Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, has launched the first of its kind Automotive Refinish Training Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Centre will provide expert training in the use of Axalta products that are designed for the repainting of vehicles in body shops. The opening of the next generation facility follows the October 2016 opening of Axalta’s regional office in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA).

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(from left to right) Sobers Sethi, VP and President, Emerging Markets, Fadi Medlej, Managing Director of Middle East and North Africa, and Charlie Shaver, Chairman and CEO of Axalta Coating Systems inaugurate Axalta's Dubai Auto Refinish Training Center (Photo: Axalta)

The Dubai Automotive Refinish Training Centre, Axalta’s 47th such center in the world, will host world class training programs for body shop, repair and refinish technicians to hone their skills and learn to use the latest coating technologies found in Spies Hecker®, Standox® and Cromax®, Axalta’s premium refinish coating brands, and other refinish brands which are available in eighteen countries in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region.

“We are excited to be able to expand our presence in Dubai and the region over such a short time span,” said Charlie Shaver, Chairman and CEO of Axalta, who formally inaugurated the new facility. “The opening of this world-class customer learning and development facility highlights our commitment to invest in the region and support our customers. This interactive training and education facility establishes a solid foundation that will provide continuous support and development to vehicle repair specialists that will both enhance the level of refinishing services and optimize the use of Axalta technologies in the region.”

Axalta’s consistent investment in product development and technology solutions has resulted in innovative waterborne refinish coating systems that enable its customers to reduce waste while being more productive, profitable and sustainable. The Centre will enable customers to maximize their use of these products which can reduce the time and energy needed to repaint vehicles.

"Decisions related to automotive repair are following global trends in favour of environmentally responsible products, as well as enabling refinish technicians to improve productivity at their work place while delivering superior results,” explained Fadi Medlej, Managing Director of MENA for Axalta. “The new facility will meet the needs of refinish technicians who will be trained in the use of all our products, and especially our latest waterborne products, to provide vehicles with a durable and beautiful finish.”

During the launch of the Automotive Refinish Training Centre, Axalta agents, customers and regional partners, and members of the media, participated in a series of hand-on activities including spray painting miniature cars, mixing colors and experiencing the differences between waterborne and solventborne coatings.

In 2016, Axalta spent $180 million on technology and product research and development which enabled the company to remain a leading supplier of coatings to light vehicle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the number one global coatings supplier in the refinish segment. The company is also the largest global coatings supplier to heavy duty truck and bus manufacturers and the number two global supplier of electrical insulation, powder and electrodeposition coatings.

About Axalta Coating Systems

Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the materials we coat to last longer. With more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the approximately 13,000 people of Axalta continue to find ways to serve our 100,000+ customers in more than 130 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information visit axalta.com and follow us @Axalta on Twitter and on LinkedIn.

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Ning DiaoAxalta Coating SystemsJAFZA South, Zone 3PO Box 334180Dubai, United Arab EmiratesD +(86)21-6020-3587M +(86)[e-mail] El ZeinMCS Action fz llc410, Building 8, Dubai Media CityP.O. Box 20970, Dubai, UAEMob: +971 (50) [e-mail]