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After more than two decades of serving the industry from its original site on Williamstown Road in Port Melbourne, AkzoNobel has turned the page with a purpose-built technical and training centre designed to meet the needs of modern refinishers—and the changing future of collision repair.

"At AkzoNobel Car Refinishes, we’re proud to welcome our customers, distributors, and the wider automotive network to our state-of-the-art Training Centre in Port Melbourne," says Bermingham, Country Sales Manager for AkzoNobel VR – ANZ

"As the home of our premium Sikkens and Lesonal brands, this purpose-built centre of excellence has been designed to offer more than just technical training. It’s a space where industry professionals can come together to learn, collaborate, and grow – whether it's through hands-on application, business development sessions, or exploring the latest in sustainable refinishing solutions.

We’re excited by the opportunity this centre continues to offer, and we look forward to supporting our network as we shape the future of the refinish industry together."

Time for Change

The move marks a major investment in people, process, and performance. Stephen Read, AkzoNobel’s Regional Technical Services Manager VR/Auto Asia, as he shares the vision with Sam Street.

The new facility supports a wide range of training and product development activity, offering advanced resources for both internal teams and external customers. It also reflects a shift in focus—from simply providing products, to partnering on process efficiency and sustainability.

“The old site served us well for 20 years,” says Read, who returned to Australia in 2021 after six years with AkzoNobel in Europe. “But after two decades, both technology and customer expectations had moved on. It was time to build something bigger and better.”

Finding the right location took time—especially amid the disruptions of COVID—but by late 2022, AkzoNobel had secured a site in a Port Melbourne business park, close to the centre of Melbourne with easy access to the airport for interstate visitors. Construction of the training centre began in early 2023, with full operations commencing in late-2024 following a significant build that included everything from building structural upgrades to custom-designed Lowbake spray booths and supporting equipment.

Choosing a key supplier

Chris Williams from Lowbake said: "The entire Lowbake team is extremely proud of the newly completed AkzoNobel Training Centre.

"This project stands as a testament to the shared vision, innovative design, and seamless collaboration between two respected brands—and two outstanding teams.
The original facility delivered over 20 years ago was revolutionary for its time, and it was only fitting that we once again we thought outside the box with design, presentation, and functionality.

"The result is something we’re proud to have created together which will serve Akzonobel for the next 20 years.

"It was a privilege to work closely with Stephen Read throughout the design and construction phases. We’d also like to extend a sincere thank you to John Bermingham and the wider AkzoNobel team for their partnership and support."

Training for a Changing Industry

The new training centre is far more than a showpiece—it’s a working hub of education, development and collaboration. The site supports three key activities: internal technical training, external customer training, and in-house product evaluation.

“Much of what we’re doing is about technician efficiency—helping skilled painters improve productivity through smarter methods,” says Read. “We want to give them the data and the tools to make decisions that suit their specific shop setup and goals.”

This facility also features a state-of-the-art Virtual Reality refinishing simulator, blending cutting-edge science with the craft of spray painting.

“This technology allows us to quantify painter performance in real time—measuring transfer efficiency, spray overlap, gun distance, and other key techniques that separate good from great,” explains Read. “We’ve already used it with premium OEM technicians from Australia, New Zealand, and Korea—and the results speak for themselves. It’s an incredibly powerful tool that builds confidence and precision before painters ever step into a spray booth.”

Beyond the technical team, the VR platform has proven to be a game changer for onboarding non-technical staff—from customer service reps to sales teams—providing them with hands-on understanding of the paint process without using materials or booth time. this immersive training tool is helping to raise the bar in how we educate, upskill, and connect the industry across the ANZ region.

“It's more than a simulator,” says Read. “It’s a smarter, more sustainable way to train—one that’s changing how we introduce people to the future of refinishing.”

Supporting Smart Product Use

As part of AkzoNobel’s commitment to delivering smarter, more efficient solutions to its customers, the Training Centre is currently serving as a testing ground for two advanced automated paint mixing machines. These systems are undergoing comprehensive evaluation under local conditions as the team prepares to launch a market-ready solution tailored for body shops across Australia and New Zealand.

“It’s essential that the AkzoNobel brand continues to evolve with the latest technologies available in the market,” says Bermingham. “From automated mixing systems to next-gen clearcoats, we’re committed to ensuring our customers have access to the tools and innovations that drive their businesses forward.”

That same forward-thinking approach has shaped the recent launch of Autoclear 2.0—a fast-curing, low-bake clearcoat designed for high-efficiency production environments. Engineered for performance, Autoclear 2.0 delivers rapid curing at lower temperatures and is ready for fit-up as soon as it cools, helping reduce energy consumption while increasing throughput.

These developments build on AkzoNobel’s trusted lineup of cult-favourite products, including the industry-renowned Sikkens Autowave basecoat system and the Sikkens Autoclear LV Superior Clearcoat—staples in collision repair shops that demand consistent, premium results.

“At AkzoNobel, it’s all about giving our customers the flexibility to choose solutions that work for their unique operations,” adds Read. “Whether it’s embracing new technologies or continuing with their preferred systems, we support their journey toward greater productivity, lower energy use, and superior refinishing outcomes.”

Rethinking the Refinish Journey

AkzoNobel’s Training Centre will serve as the central launch site for the Rethink Program, a bold, structured initiative set to roll out to bodyshops across Australia and New Zealand in early 2026.

Rethink challenges the way we approach refinishing—from the products we use to the energy we consume. It invites our customers to re-evaluate four key dimensions of their operations: products, colour matching, processes, and energy usage—with the ultimate goal of improving efficiency and creating more sustainable, future-ready workshops.

“This isn’t about telling people how to run their business,” says Read. “It’s about providing the tools, data, and insights that empower them to make the right decisions for their shop—whether that’s switching to ambient drying or optimising process flows for better energy efficiency.”

Combined with Rethink’s practical focus—like using digital colour tools to reduce waste or implementing UV and ambient drying methods—the program is designed to drive meaningful change from the ground up.

The Port Melbourne facility will become the hub for training, trials, and collaboration around Rethink, supported by webinars, local specialist upskilling, and industry engagement.

“We’re proud to lead the conversation on sustainability in our region,” says Bermingham. “Launching Rethink from our training centre ensures we not only deliver the message—we demonstrate it in action.”

Looking Ahead

After a foundational year in 2025, we are thrilled to officially launch our full 2026 training calendar — inviting partners from across Australia and New Zealand into our Port Melbourne Centre of Excellence.

“This is a significant step forward for us and the region,” says Bermingham. “In 2025, we focused on building strong foundations—testing new technologies, developing capabilities, and engaging closely with our customers. Now, in 2026, we’re ready to open our doors fully and share our expertise, innovations, and cutting-edge solutions.”

Read adds, “Our Centre of Excellence is designed to be much more than a traditional training venue. It’s a collaborative hub where MSOs, OEMs, and independent workshops can experience hands-on learning, explore new products, and stay ahead of industry shifts in real time.”

The 2026 calendar will showcase interactive training sessions, product launches like Autoclear 2.0, the latest in automated mixing technology, and exclusive previews of our Rethink Program. These initiatives are all geared towards helping repairers work smarter, more efficiently, and with greater sustainability.

Bermingham continues, “Vehicle repair technology is evolving faster than ever. This centre positions us—and our partners—to lead that change. It’s not just about paint anymore; it’s about providing the tools and knowledge to help bodyshops operate leaner, cleaner, and more competitively.”

Read sums it up: “We’re excited to welcome our partners into this dynamic environment where innovation meets collaboration. Together, we’ll shape the future of vehicle refinishing across Australia and New Zealand.

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