Following an extensive development cycle, AkzoNobel has introduced its Sikkens Process Centered Environments (PCE) program.  

This set of business management tools is designed to go beyond lean theories and bring practical, definable and measurable processes to improve efficiencies specifically within collision repair centers.
 
“Everybody is talking about lean practices today. Many have been talking for years and for the most that is just what it is – a lot of talk,” said Tim Loden, director of marketing for AkzoNobel Car Refinishes Americas. “We could have rushed to be one of many on a bandwagon touting the word lean. However, AkzoNobel studied and assessed dozens of application approaches using lean principles, refined them into useable processes and then monitored those processes in real world applications to ensure that what we were delivering actually worked.”

In February 2008, AkzoNobel signed a strategic partnership with DCR Intellectual Property Company LLC. DCR markets a patented production system that defines repeatable processes for creating maximum efficiencies in a collision repair center.
 
“Knowing about lean can only take you so far,” said DCR President and CEO Michael Giarrizzo. “Businesses today understand that they need a real-world roadmap. Process Centered Environments make the journey possible. This is why we have chosen to partner with AkzoNobel. We both want to make the experience real and achievable.”  

For more information, visit www.akzonobelcarrefinishes.net.