BASF is expanding its global automotive refinish training network. In Hanoi, Vietnam, a new Refinish Competence Center (RCC) has just opened, with new training centers in the pipeline for the United States and Italy. The openings are influenced by an increasing number of training requests the company said.

Spanning the globe from various Asia Pacific countries including Australia and China, to the United States, France and Germany, BASF offers training for its automotive refinish customers at its RCCs. The training network comprises more than 50 training centers, where painters practice and perfect the use of automotive paints.

At the RCCs, participants learn from professional trainers who share industry knowledge and tips the participants need for high-quality and technically perfect automotive refinishing. Innovative products and techniques also deliver a high return on investment for the participants.

In 2011, approximately 12,000 painters attended training courses at the RCCs worldwide with global demand constantly increasing. In the region of Asia Pacific, more than 2,000 painters from various bodyshops participate in professional training courses at one of the RCCs each year.

“These days, painters need more than traditional training. For this reason, we offer training courses at the RCCs that focus on both the quality and the efficiency of the seminar participants,” said Ken Marshall, head of automotive refinish coatings in Asia Pacific for BASF.

BASF is expanding its network of RCCs around the world. In Italy, an RCC is under construction in Cesano Maderno. At the same time, plans for the construction of a new RCC in Atlanta are in full swing in the U.S., where operations are scheduled to begin with high-quality and modern equipment in mid-2013.

In addition, in order to meet the increasing demand for updated equipment know-how, customer service and professional training, the existing RCC in Sydney, Australia and the location at Refinish Excellence in Jakarta, Indonesia are now being renovated. Additionally, the RCC in Clermont, France is under construction for a full upgrade.

BASF’s training concept is geared to the international market, with all RCC locations being equipped with the latest technology in order to create an optimum learning environment for all seminar participants.

“Whether in the United States, Vietnam or France, we work with the same high standards at our RCCs worldwide. In order to achieve excellent results, our RCCs have state-of-the-art equipment and feature best in the industry trainers,” said Jürgen Book, who is responsible for BASF’s RCCs in Europe.