Going the Extra Mile

Last summer, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of mobile generators discovered that if it turned down the temperature of its curing ovens by 40 degrees, it could save an impressive 20% of its annual gas bill.

This was the result of an Eco-Efficiency study carried out by AkzoNobel Powder Coatings in conjunction with their customer and has contributed to environmental as well as process cost reduction objectives.

AkzoNobel Powder Coatings is far more than a paint supplier. It can find ways to help a customer reduce costs or improve their production processes, provide specialist training or sample panels, even design and send out mailshots for them. “Our aim is to get closer to our customers, to act as a partner” explains Mark Reekie, European Services Business Development Manager. “We get a better understanding of their needs and may appreciate the help for their business.” A typical scenario is for Powder Coatings’ technical team to examine a customer’s products and processes and see where they can cut costs or speed up processes. Eco-efficiency studies, for instance, help customers achieve their environmental targets, whether that’s in waste reduction, energy saving or emissions reduction.

At a more advanced level, the Interpon Partnership Programme offers a complete audit of the coatings process from the flow of raw materials to oven temperatures, to the way parts are hung on the line, in order to pin-point areas where savings can be achieved. “We took this approach with a Spanish manufacturer of beds, and have realised savings of approximately 10% per month ” says Reekie. It’s not just the big international customers who can benefit from these services. A few years ago, Service First was launched to help improve the business operations of UK trade coaters. “Typically, these are small operations, from 2 – 50 employees, often working in isolation,” says Adam Baxter, Cromadex Europe

Marketing Manager. “Their expertise lies in knowing how to paint, but they have less experience in the more general issues of running a business. We offer a comprehensive operational and business audit, backed up by a broad package of technical and business services.” Since joining the scheme, one family-run corrosive protection paint specialist in Manchester has won an order for the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal’s home ground, and is now expanding into another factory. Service First is available throughout Europe.

Modular training programmes – from how to apply metallic paints to how to improve health  and safety - can be taken either at AkzoNobel’s Training Centres or offered on-site. “Training with their equipment is much better as staff aren’t losing time,” explains Reekie. “It’s a mixture of theoretical and practical monthly sessions spread over 12 - 18 months.”