3M backs refinish finalists

3M has offered its congratulations to the five WorldSkills UK automotive refinishing finalists.

The UK’s top young performers in automotive refinishing: Jordan Hemsley; Dylan Russell; Conor McKevitt; Callum Green; and Cory Maher will now compete in the finals following a gruelling contest at the 3M Automotive Refinishing Centre (ARC) in Atherstone, Warwickshire.

In June, 18 apprentices and students went head to head at the science-based technology company’s state-of-the-art facility for the IMI Skills Auto 2017 refinishing heats competition.

Over three days, they took part in a series of challenges using abrasives, polishes, masking tapes and paint preparation systems from 3M. They were judged in five key areas – panel painting, bumper repair, scratch removal, masking tape precision and colour matching.

Among the expert judges was Simon Evans, owner/operator of paintsbysimon.com and workshop supervisor for the refinishing heats. Simon said, ‘The standard was very high this year, and the judges didn’t go easy on anyone. We demand the quality that the industry expects, and we are using the very best products the industry has to offer.’

3M application development manager, Paul Larkin said, ‘On behalf of 3M, I’d like to congratulate everyone who took part in this year’s IMI SKILL AUTO 2017 refinishing heats competition. The competition is always fierce, and this year was no exception.’

The competition finals will be held at this year’s Skills Show, taking place at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham on 16-18 November.

3M has hosted the refinishing heats at the ARC every year since the facility opened in 2013, and has been a Global Industry Partner of WorldSkills UK for the past five years.