Spies Hecker, one of the premium refinish paint brands of Axalta Coating Systems, has maintained its preferred paint partner status with the Volkswagen Group (VWG) in a three-year contract renewal.

Mark Andrews, National Sales Manager for Axalta in the UK and Ireland says, "Spies Hecker and Volkswagen Group (VWG) have worked closely together for over 20 years, and the signing of the latest agreement is evidence that Spies Hecker continues to fulfil the stringent requirements for the Volkswagen Group.”

The agreement sees the brand providing VWG with professional account management and the ability to maintain high levels of support in the manufacturer’s mature markets, while also helping it to develop new strategies in emerging markets, such as the recently launched programme for VWG’s retail sector, Clever Repair.

The contract also covers training.  Some is delivered at Axalta’s state-of-the-art Training Academy in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, and Spies Hecker also provides VWG with a technical field team.  This team is ideally placed to meet all technical requirements, from bespoke VWG-branded academy training, to BSI accreditation and certification.  The Spies Hecker field team also supports VWG customers at their sites, by monitoring KPI data to ensure the efficiency and profitability of Spies Hecker’s products and services are maximised.

Mark Andrews adds, "Spies Hecker is passionate about strengthening its OEM relationships, which are based on a foundation of professional, technical support backed up by consistently high product quality.  The ethos is borne out by the contract renewal with VWG.  We look forward to continuing this long and happy partnership.”

Spies Hecker’s products and services in Ireland are distributed by the local authorised importer Crown Paints Ireland. Crown Paints Refinish Sales Manager David Dempsey says, "We look forward to working closely with VWG.  This is a vote of approval to Crown Paints Ireland, or experience in the local market and the level of service we can offer. He adds, "Crown Paints only sell car refinish products to the motor trade, making us true experts in this field. We do not sell hard parts, we only sell colour and this means that we are the best placed to provide bodyshops with the products, colour information and technical support they require.

For more information call Crown Paints Ltd. on 01 816 4447.