Ford and BASF Coatings share a vision of the future in the “Way Forward” initiative

Innovative application systems and competences in color design, high-quality coatings and materials-recycling support Ford on the way to the future

Münster/Detroit. “Together, the future is ours!” This was the unequivocal message from Susan DeSandre, Ford Director for Body and Chassis, American Production Purchasing Operations, at a BASF press event on October 3 at the Ford Rouge Plant, a historic Detroit-area site. BASF, and BASF Coatings, in particular, is playing an important role in the Ford “Way Forward” plan. BASF Coatings recently received three Gold World Excellence Awards as an outstanding Ford supplier and global preferred supplier. “We are doing everything in our power to help Ford be more successful,” says Jeff Leone, BASF’s Global Account Director for Ford, describing a key objective he and his team have set for themselves. BASF supplies automotive plastic products to the Ford Rouge plant, and it is a major coatings supplier to five other Ford plants in North America.

Jeffrey H. Helms, Ph.D., Manager Paint Engineering for Ford, explains how the relationship between Ford and BASF works in practice. “For instance, BASF Coatings helps us with its innovative application system, the ‘Three-Wet Full Body Paint System’. They also provide their competence in such areas as UV technology and color design, as well as their vast experience in material recycling and accelerated weathering tests.” This broad expertise was the basis for recognizing BASF Coatings with three Gold-level Ford World Excellence Awards for outstanding achievement in Germany, Spain and Canada. BASF was the only paint supplier to Ford to receive these awards. Ford also recognized the BASF team by adding it to the exclusive circle of 36 suppliers who make up the Ford “Aligned Business Framework,” which, in effect, means that BASF has earned the coveted status of a preferred supplier to Ford, not just in North America, but around the world.

Jeff Leone continues to pull out all the stops for Ford, providing daily encouragement and leadership to his team. “We received the World Excellence Awards for top performance in cost efficiency, quality and delivery,” says Leone. “We are committed to maintaining and improving that performance as we continue to support our partners and friends at Ford. Our goal is to be the number-one source of intelligent solutions for the automotive industry by supplying superior products, as well as innovative technology and application processes.” Leone said that BASF will continue to work closely with Ford to move forward and share mutual successes.

Ford and BASF Coatings share a vision of the future in the “Way Forward” initiative.
The joint Ford and BASF media event took place in a setting with a unique history in automotive development. The sprawling Rouge River manufacturing complex near Detroit is where the Ford success story began. The Ford employees working here are proud to be part of the Ford team at this historic site. In addition to vehicle production, the protecting the environment is a major priority at the Rouge site. This is not only attested to by the use of eco-efficient products and processes, but also by the large green spaces and ambitious environmental projects throughout the site---including the world-famous “living roof”. As one of the world’s “greenest” automotive production operations, the Rouge plant is a shining example of the Ford Motor Company’s commitment to the community, the world and the environment, and it is helping lead the company forward to success.

BASF : A major international player in coatings

BASF Coatings AG belongs to the global Coatings Division of the BASF Group. In 2005 the Coatings Division achieved world sales of about 2,2 billion euros. The Coatings Division develops, produces and markets a high-quality range of innovative automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinishes and industrial coatings as well as decorative paints, and also the processes needed to apply them. In this business, eco-efficient water-based, powder and high-solids coatings as well as radiation-curable systems play a special part. In Brazil, the company has been successful in the decorative paints market for years and holds the leading position. BASF has a major, global presence in the Coatings sector, with significant market positions in Europe, North America, South America and the Asia/Pacific region, for example with affiliates in Australia, China, India, Japan, and the Philippines. The internet address of BASF Coatings is www.basf-coatings.com

BASF Automotive Solutions. Performance Passion Success

BASF – The Chemical Company – is a leading-edge source of intelligent sustainable solutions to automotive manufacturers and their suppliers worldwide. With a full portfolio of technologies that include coatings, catalysts, engineering thermoplastics, polyurethanes, pigments and colorants, coolants and brake fluids for a broad array of exterior, interior, chassis and under-the-hood applications, BASF – The Chemical Company - develops and delivers the innovations that help the automotive industry improve the quality, appearance, safety, cost competitiveness, performance, comfort, fuel efficiency, sustainability. Website: www.automotive.basf.com

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Dr. Michael Golek

BASF

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