BASF Coatings announced that Steve Arndt will join the company as senior vice president, Global Automotive Refinish Coatings, effective July 1.

Arndt succeeds Chris Titmarsh, who is stepping down after 20 years with BASF. Titmarsh has spent 11 years in the refinish business and more than six years in senior vice president roles for the EMEA business and the global organization.

Arndt brings more than 30 years of automotive refinish industry experience to the role. BASF Coatings said his background includes six years at Axalta Coating Systems as global distribution sales director. He also served as president and chief operating officer of FinishMaster.

In a LinkedIn post, Arndt said the timing of the move “couldn’t be better,” pointing to consolidation, rising customer expectations and technology as forces redefining service in the refinish market. He described the refinish industry as going through “one of the most significant shifts” he has seen in 30 years.

Arndt also said BASF Coatings’ refinish business has the technology, customer relationships and people to lead the market. He added that, backed by The Carlyle Group, the business will have “the focus and the ambition to win.”

BASF Coatings’ Automotive Refinish business includes brands such as Glasurit, R-M and Refinity. The appointment follows previously announced leadership changes tied to BASF Coatings’ planned transition into a standalone coatings company backed by Carlyle.

Sources: BASF Coatings, LinkedIn