World's largest Mercedes-Benz facility chooses Glasurit

Partnership announced between Glasurit and Emirates Motor Company (EMC) Abu Dhabi.

BASF Coatings' Glasurit paint brand is the supplier for the world's largest Mercedes Benz facility, Emirates Motor Company (EMC), the flagship company of Al Fahim Group, in Abu Dhabi.

EMC?s headquarters, located in the Musaffah District of Abu Dhabi, covers 93,000-square-meter area, including a service center with an area of 21,000 square meters featuring 250 workbays, 80 of them for body work and refinishing.

The cooperation between EMC and Glasurit was highlighted through the development of the exclusive 'Arabian Nights' which was developed to commemorate Glasurit's 111th anniversary. It is based on a black basecoat that features glitter effects and eye-catching color travel.

Other members of the A1 Fahim group include Western Motors, Jeep and Fiat, and the company has refinished a Fiat Abarth with 'Arabian Nights'.

Apart from product quality, key factors for EMC choosing Glasurit included improved efficiency in the refinishing workflow and broad support by Glasurit as a partner for paint and services.

For bodyshop manager Ibrahim Khalil, all steps of the changeover to Glasurit went without a hitch.

"We had prepared ourselves for a turbulent changeover period, but it was astounding how quickly our staff learned how to work with Glasurit's 90 Line waterborne paint system," he said.

Glasurit's logistics and infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates were also important for EMC. Glasurit has operated in the region for 35 years.

"Our recipes for success include ongoing presence in the market, working with the customer directly and being available on site, and that is exactly what EMC appreciates," said Arie Verboon, BASF's country manager for the United Arab Emirates and Business Development Manager for the Middle East.

The quality of the products must be right, as well. In a country where the daytime temperature fluctuates from 38 to 48°C (100 to 188F) and from 26 to 30°C (79 to 86F) at night with high humidity, the paint is subjected to harsh stresses. It must also withstand sudden sandstorms without extensive damage.