New appointment at Spies Hecker

Evgeny Khmelev takes on the role of Training Leader Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Since 1 July the Spies Hecker Training Center in Cologne, Germany, has had a new training manager. Evgeny Khmelev, a qualified mechanical engineer by trade, was previously a technician for Axalta Refinish Systems in Eastern Europe where he supported bodyshops from Kiev to Kamchatka with his technical know-how. Now Khmelev has brought his refinish expertise, his knowledge of different paint systems and his extensive practical experience as a trainer to Cologne. He is delighted with his new role at Spies Hecker. He said, ‘I feel very strongly about providing refinishers from different countries with further, practical training, as well as helping them to obtain some of the best results with our easy-to-use paint system.’ One of the first things on his agenda is testing new training concepts in order to respond to the individual needs of customers in other regions.

Before working with Axalta, Khmelev worked as a technical adviser for the Russian Spies Hecker importer, so he knows what bodyshops need. ‘My aim is for us – here in the Training Center – to be able to respond to the individual situation in different countries so that we can provide our customers with targeted and knowledgeable training,’ he said.

For his new post at Spies Hecker, Khmelev and his family have moved to Cologne, near the brand headquarters. ‘The facilities and international orientation of the Training Center here in Cologne offer excellent surroundings for developing new training strategies and for realising new ideas,’ Khmelev added.

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