AkzoNobel cuts ribbon on training centre

AkzoNobel has opened a state-of-the-art training centre for its vehicle refinishes customers in the UK.

The facility, located at Didcot, is part of the company’s global initiative to help bodyshops, insurance companies and vehicle manufacturers to work together in close partnership for their mutual benefit.

Jon Amor, premium sales manager, UK and Ireland, for the company’s vehicle refinishes business, said, ‘By training bodyshop staff to use the latest technologies, innovative products and efficient processes, AkzoNobel is investing in tomorrow’s repair professionals. The centre uses a proven training model that will help to make bodyshop operations more flexible and to sharpen their competitive edge’

The centre will showcase products, techniques and equipment for dealing with hybrid and electric vehicles, new vehicle body substrates, the latest finishes and the need for precise colour matching.

Jon added, ‘Advanced UV lighting, moveable spray booths and our pioneering color-matching Automatchic Vision Spectrophotometer are examples of the training topics and facilities available to take productivity and profitability to new levels.’

At the official opening event AkzoNobel was joined by its technology partners McLaren Racing, which gave a live painting demonstration, and Oxford Universities Motorsport Foundation (OUMF), which talked about how it helps train tomorrow’s repair professionals with AkzoNobel’s support.

Jon concluded, ‘This facility demonstrates that our customer-commitment goes far beyond the supply of products. Delegates will gain first-hand experience of AkzoNobel’s innovation and quality, along with the best of health, safety and environmental standards, to ensure bodyshop applications and processes deliver the very best performance possible.’