Axalta Coating Systems has made a major investment in new headquarters for the company’s UK operations. The new facility includes an academy for body shop customers and will consolidate all of Axalta’s liquid coating business offices in the country. The added capabilities of the new location are designed to meet the needs of the company’s expanding portfolio of customers across liquid coating business segments throughout the UK. The new facility at Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, opened Dec. 16.
The refinish training center – the Axalta Coating Systems Academy – will open in February 2014. Axalta’s three global refinish brands – Cromax, Spies Hecker and Standox – each will have their own dedicated training room, mixing area and spraybooth. Refinish body shop customers will hone their technical skills at the academy using Axalta products and will be able to make use of a large communal breakout area.
“This is an exciting time for our company and our customers in the UK,” said Mike Davis, managing director, Axalta Coating Systems UK. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to put our customers first. The academy will enable refinish craftsmen to learn and apply best practices to build their businesses and keep pace with an ever-changing market.”
The new facility provides a fresh and modern working environment and was developed in close cooperation with the local council to make sure plans aligned with local environmental goals, Davis added.
“There has been a tremendous amount of effort since February 2013 across Axalta’s entire global business to get us to operate as an independent paint company,” he said. “Only three months after becoming an independent company, we announced a $50 million investment to expand our production in China. Today, we continue to work to be agile and flexible. And with our investment in our new UK offices and training academy, we look forward to accelerating our growth as we continue to provide quality and innovative technologies and solutions to our customers.”
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