MÜNSTER, Germany - BASF’s global training network is growing, with a newly opened Refinish Competence Center (RCC) in Vietnam and new training centers planned in the United States and Italy.

Spanning the globe from various Asia-Pacific countries including Australia and China, to the United States, France and Germany, BASF offers training for its customers at the 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 for high-quality and technically perfect automotive refinishing. Innovative products and techniques also provide 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, every year over 2,000 painters from various body shops participate in professional training courses at one of the RCCs. In Vietnam, BASF teamed up with a company that imports BASF automotive refinish coatings into the country to build a new RCC in Hanoi. In Italy, an RCC is under construction in Cesano Maderno. At the same time, plans for the construction of a new RCC in Atlanta, GA, are in full swing. The RCC is scheduled to begin operations with high-quality and modern equipment starting in mid-2013.

Additionally, two existing RCCs are now being renovated: the center in Sydney, Australia, and the RCC at Indonesian importer Refinish Excellence in Jakarta. The RCC in Clermont, France, is also under construction for a full upgrade.