EXCLUSIVE: A TAILORED SUPPORT programme along with quality paint products that provide exceptional UV stability and corrosion resistance have earned Axalta Coating Systems its new contract as the sole paint supplier for Volgren buses, it’s reported recently.
An agreement was officially signed at Volgren’s Dandenong, Victoria, headquarters on 13 September, 2018, with Volgren Supply Chain manager Michael Healy and Axalta ANZ managing director Steven Brett both present.
Axalta is a leading paint and coatings company and is currently the major paint supplier globally to the MarcoPolo group, as well as supplying worldwide to bus and coach OEM customers such as Mercedes-Benz, Iveco and Van Hool.
Axalta is now the sole supplier of coatings to Volgren in Australia for both newly manufactured buses and for the repair of existing buses across all its facilities in Australia, and throughout its global supply chain.
After an extended trial period to assess Axalta product performance, ease of use, technical support and service, Volgren officially changed paint supply for all manufacturing and repair facilities. Specifically, it has selected to use the Imron Fleet Line range of products from Axalta Coating Systems.
Axalta ANZ MD Brett said: “As a market leader in Australia, Volgren needed a coatings partner to work with them through all levels of the business. With the introduction of new products, new processes and improved quality control across all Volgren locations we demonstrated that Axalta could meet Volgren’s requirements.”
Michael Busch, Axalta national OEM manager, said: “Painters’ training is one area where we stand out from the competition. If painters are not correctly trained and processes are not formally documented then the opportunity is missed.”
“All Volgren painters have an individual skills profile maintained by our National Training team. They are continually mentored by local state-based technical specialists and then – when deemed ready – are formally assessed,” he explained.
“Throughout the initial product trial period we worked across all Volgren’s Australian sites. The uniform approach taken – regardless of location – has ensured the highest quality finished product and provided Volgren with a consistent repair process, should it ever be required throughout the vehicle’s life.”
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WHAT IS IMRON?
The Imron Fleet Line paint system is designed for commercial vehicles that spend most of the day on the road, in all types of weather. It delivers exceptional weather and corrosion resistance while providing a beautiful finish, the company states.
Axalta’s offering to Volgren goes beyond just the highest quality paint finish and performance, it states. Axalta understands that productivity on the production line is also crucial. Thus Axalta says it has supported Volgren not only with extensive application expertise and technical support, but also with establishing industry-leading quality control processes and reporting.
As Volgren always considers continuous improvement opportunities as a key focus of its bus manufacturing, Axalta is confident its Imron Fleet Line of product and the service provided will further enhance the overall quality of output – particularly in key areas such as corrosion resistance and UV stability, it says.
Volgren Supply Chain manager Healy said: “Having been with one paint company for the past 20 years, we did not make the decision to change easily.”
“For the first three months we put Axalta’s products and back-up service through intense testing, calling on their support both within Australia and overseas.
“I was extremely pleased with the professionalism, commitment and quality that Axalta delivered. I’m 100 per cent confident the change we have made will ensure Volgren buses continue to lead the market for many years to come,” he explained.
NETWORK SPREAD
Axalta works with its local distribution partners in each state to offer Volgren a flexible and timely logistic solutions, which contributes to making paint preparation and application as easy as possible, says the company.
Its support also extends to comprehensive repair process documentation for Volgren’s fleet customers. That is, Axalta’s Paint Specification Manual includes information such as fleet colours, repair products and processes, and technical data sheets to meet the needs of the fleet owner should the bus be involved in an accident in the future.
The company’s worldwide network coupled with 150 years of experience in the coatings industry give Axalta the capability globally to develop and supply tailor-made offerings that meet local customer needs, it says.
ABOUT AXALTA
Axalta has more than 150 years’ experience in the coatings industry and employs in excess of 12,800 people worldwide who develop, manufacture, distribute and support its products and services, it states.
The company does business in more than 130 countries, and has 46 manufacturing plants, 47 training centres and four global technology centres around the world. It holds – or has pending – more than 1,100 patents.
It has earned more than 100,000 refinish customers, including over 4,000 distributors worldwide. In 2016, Axalta had net sales of $4.1 billion.
Headquartered in Philadelphia, USA, Axalta manages its business in five regions servicing North America, Latin America (including Mexico), China, East and South Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
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