Next generation facility contributes to Axalta's global technology
and innovation and serves local customers in China and Asia-Pacific
SHANGHAI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid
and powder coatings, today formally opened its newest investment in
innovation, the Asia-Pacific Technology Center (APTC), in the Minhang
District of Shanghai.
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Axalta's Asia-Pacific Technology Center opens in Shanghai. (Photo: Axalta)
With a total of 15,500 square meters of space, the APTC expands
resources available to Axalta’s global organization of more than 1,300
scientists, engineers, and staff engaged in R&D. With an employee base
of 300 today and capacity for more than 500, the center joins Axalta’s
worldwide network of four global technology centers and more than 30
country laboratories. Other regionally focused technology centers are in
Mt. Clemens, Michigan and Wuppertal, Germany, supporting Axalta
operations in the Americas and across Europe, the Middle East and
Africa, respectively. A new Global Innovation Center under construction
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will replace a facility currently located
in Wilmington, Delaware.
“Innovation is crucial to driving our future as well as to the success
of our customers,” said Axalta Chairman and CEO Charlie Shaver at the
opening. “The Asia-Pacific Technology Center reflects our strategy to
build a strong technology hub in the region that is integrated into our
global R&D organization. It is designed to put customer needs first and
serve them with the very best we have. APTC will be the latest example
yet of Axalta’s commitment to innovation that enables customers to
maintain a competitive edge and achieve long-term success.”
Representatives from the Minhang District Government, the Minhang
Economic Development Zone, and the Minhang Group, which jointly
constructed the APTC with Axalta, joined more than 100 guests including
customers, trade associations, university students, business partners,
media and employees in the celebration and received a tour of the APTC.
“The new landmark in Shanghai is a proud symbol of innovation, R&D, and
technology leadership,” said Feng Xiao Ming, General Manager and
Executive Director of the Minhang Group. “The role of the APTC aligns
well with China’s national vision of becoming a major innovation center
in the world. The center’s contribution to R&D will help put China on
the global map of innovation in the coating industry. We are honored to
be a partner in bringing this vision to fruition.”
In addition to laboratories, the APTC houses a Refinish Training Center
(RTC) and Global Color Development Center. The laboratories at APTC
include a Coating R&D laboratory, a Coating System Testing laboratory,
and a Transportation Application laboratory. In the near future, wood
coatings and powder coatings laboratories will be added. These
facilities are designed to train customers to optimize the use of
Axalta’s refinish products, conduct original research, and develop new
products that will accelerate performance and productivity for vehicle
manufacturing, refinish, and industrial customers in the Asia-Pacific
region.
“Axalta builds innovative technology to meet evolving customer
requirements,” said Dr. Barry Snyder, Senior Vice President and Chief
Technology Officer at Axalta. “The APTC is equipped with world-class
capabilities and talent to deliver technology and products that meet
customer needs in practical, proactive and sustainable ways, whether
it’s in application know-how, color technology, or in polymer and
formulation chemistry. I am excited to see world-class solutions
developed in APTC shared by our customers worldwide.”
About Axalta Coating Systems
Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and
providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable
solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish
applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings
are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the
materials we coat to last longer. With more than 150 years of experience
in the coatings industry, the over 13,000 people of Axalta continue to
find ways to better serve our more than 100,000 customers in 130
countries every day with the finest coatings, application systems and
technology. For more information visit axalta.com
and follow us on Twitter
@Axalta and on LinkedIn.
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Source: Axalta Coating Systems