GM Africa & Middle East Opts for AkzoNobel as Vehicle Refinish Partner

After a rigorous selection process, General Motors (GM) Africa & Middle East opted for AkzoNobel as its vehicle refinish partner for the MEA region. As part of the supply partnership, AkzoNobel will be providing GM-branded vehicles in the region with its high quality refinish products in its Sikkens and Lesonal brands so that they can maintain the manufacturer warranty on refinish jobs.

AkzoNobel will be providing added value to the partnership by using its team of experts to provide professionals at the GM bodyshop network with comprehensive technical training and network support. The two companies will also collaborate on building a comprehensive program of products, services and training that will be delivered in three stages.

AkzoNobel will be providing premium products all of which will have the mandatory approvals of all Original Equipment Manufacturers, insurers and fleet companies. They will also help generate additional revenue streams within dealerships as they can be used for repair of other marks of vehicles.

Through the use of AkzoNobel products, GM will be able to achieve the desired results in terms of color matching, quality repairs, and bodyshop efficiency as all the refinish paint products come with assurance of a right first-time outcome. The company also plans to use its digital color techniques and technologies like the Automatchic Vision, MIXIT and Carbeat – a digital communication system for the bodyshop – in order to serve GM’s business and to help achieve measurable improvements.

AkzoNobel will leverage its innovations like UV Technology for the delivery of process-driven products that can help reduce the cycle time and inventory of GM’s network. The use of such an innovative approach can also enhance bodyshop efficiency by facilitating a separate process for smaller refinish jobs.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mohammed Al Fayyad, Director of Customer Care and Aftersales, GM Africa & Middle East, said that the company was looking for a refinish partner that had the proven expertise, innovative strength and quality commitment need to provide adequate support. AkzoNobel has market-leading technologies and competencies that can improve bodyshop and network efficiency and profitability. Hence, it proved to be an ideal fit for GM’s requirements.

Stephen Saywell, Protective Coatings Director, AkzoNobel MEA, said: “We are thankful to GM Africa & Middle East for this partnership that highlights our world-class competencies in providing not just high-quality products but also innovative technology and training support. We have proven strengths across a wide range of approvals and in supplying vehicle refinish products as well as our value-added solutions that will contribute to greater accuracy, efficiency and profitability for GM’s network in the region.”