SOUTHFIELD, MI – BASF is expanding its global automotive refinish training network. In Hanoi, Vietnam, a new Refinish Competence Center (RCC) has recently opened, with new training centers in the pipeline for the United States and Italy. The expansion is influenced by an increasing number of training requests throughout the coatings industry.

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 Asia Pacific region, more than 2,000 painters from various body shops participate in professional training courses at one of the RCCs each year.

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 United States, where operations are scheduled to begin 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.