SOUTHFIELD, MI - BASF has named Rainer Michael Blair Group vice president, Coatings, for North America, with responsibility for BASF's Coatings business in North America and global responsibility for the business's Automotive OEM Coatings unit.

Blair, who had headed the Automotive OEM Coatings unit for BASF Coatings in Muenster, Germany, will succeed Martin Laudenbach, who was named president of BASF's Fine Chemicals Global Business Unit, effective Dec. 1.

Succeeding Blair as head of the Automotive OEM Coatings unit is Gerold Mahr, currently director, BASF Coatings de México S.A. de C.V., based at the company's coatings manufacturing site in Tultitl