When a project generates some 80 million media contacts, makes customer events 100 percent successful, ensures that interested parties and journalists enthusiastically respond to international leading trade events, and causes staff members to proudly identify with it to boot, then there’s no question that a "best practice" has been achieved. As a partner of the BioConcept car, BASF Coatings’ R-M brand has managed to do this for two years running. R-M is the partner of the Four Motors racing team with its drivers Smudo (lead singer with the German band Die Fantastischen Vier - in English, The Fantastic Four) and Thomas von Loewis of Menar, former DTM pilot and "flying baron". In both 2006 and 2007, R-M was able to establish itself as a competent partner for all paint-related questions in the extremely demanding racing sport and successfully withstand the grueling test it poses.
"Strengthening R-M on the German market is the objective of our commitment. On the one hand, this project provides us with the opportunity to convince our customers on site at races that our finishes are top quality. On the other hand, it allows us to use the experience we gain in auto racing to improve our quality even more," says Thorsten Schlatmann, head of R-M Distribution Germany, summing up the highly satisfactory result of R-M’s commitment. For this reason, the success story with Four Motors, the BioConcept car, and Smudo will be continued in 2008. Schlatmann particularly appreciates the cross-unit approach currently in place within BASF. "In this area, some of BASF’s units are demonstrating the company’s high degree of competence with all aspects of the automobile. After all, there’s a great deal of chemistry in every car, and around 10 percent of BASF's overall turnover is generated in this area."
R-M at international leading trade events
R-M will be participating in the 2008 platform of the BioConcept car at a number of high-profile trade events. "Even if the automotive industry, bodyshops, or body and paint centers are not the actual target groups of all of these presentations, participating in them will boost R-M brand’s visibility," says Schlatmann. The BioConcept car is set to participate in the "International Green Week" in Berlin (January 18 to 27, 2008. German Minister of Agriculture Horst Seehofer has indicated a great deal of interest in this event.), as well as in the "Clean Moves Expo" held as part of Expo Hannover (April 21 to 25, 2008), Thyssen-Krupp's "Ideas Park" in Stuttgart (May 17 to 25, 2008), and the International Motor Show Commercial Vehicles (September 25 to October 2, 2008). Other appearances at trade events are in the pipeline.
When it comes to looking and performing like top racers, the team will be presenting itself for the new 2008 season with a top fit and well-equipped profile. Once again, R-M will be providing the appropriate finishes. Now that the results of BASF Coatings' research labs' analyses are in, the second generation of biofibers on the Ford Mustang can be coated and the VW New Beetle, the team's second vehicle, will be reappearing with a new gleaming finish. Thomas von Loewis of Menar, in charge of sports and development at Four Motors, Mario Liposcak, technical manager, and Lutz Wolzenburg, TÜV (technical inspection agency) engineer, are already preparing two competitive racing cars. They will once again be participating in the German BF Goodrich long distance championship race at the Nürburgring racetrack.
"R-M, its customers, and all BASF Coatings’ employees are looking forward to the new racing season. This year there will also be successful customer events where we can generate valuable insight and boost our visibility even more," says Schlatmann. He fondly recalls the R-M sustainability day in Münster. "The panel of experts on green auto racing, the exhibit of the BioConcept car, the visit by Smudo and his appearance as a disc jockey and at the trainees’ graduation ceremony, as well as the entire day presented by R-M are all positively anchored in everyone’s minds and was a real lasting experience," says Schlatmann.
Additional information on R-M and its products, services, and training opportunities is available at +49 231 88 08 530 for Germany and +43 1 69 92 343 0 for Austria or on the R-M website at www.rmpaint.com.
R-M Automotive Refinish : an important part of BASF Coatings
Under the R-M brand, BASF markets a comprehensive range of automotive refinishing paint systems, focusing on eco-efficient waterborne basecoats and high-solids paints. By using these systems all legal solvent-reduction requirements can be complied with anywhere in the world, and with regard to appearance and resistance, the products meet the same quality standards as solvent-borne paints. In this area, the company offers a wide variety of services to support its customers. R-M Automotive Refinish is approved by most of the leading car manufacturers for aftermarket repair and chosen by the world's most prestigious car companies for its color expertise.
"Strengthening R-M on the German market is the objective of our commitment. On the one hand, this project provides us with the opportunity to convince our customers on site at races that our finishes are top quality. On the other hand, it allows us to use the experience we gain in auto racing to improve our quality even more," says Thorsten Schlatmann, head of R-M Distribution Germany, summing up the highly satisfactory result of R-M’s commitment. For this reason, the success story with Four Motors, the BioConcept car, and Smudo will be continued in 2008. Schlatmann particularly appreciates the cross-unit approach currently in place within BASF. "In this area, some of BASF’s units are demonstrating the company’s high degree of competence with all aspects of the automobile. After all, there’s a great deal of chemistry in every car, and around 10 percent of BASF's overall turnover is generated in this area."
R-M at international leading trade events
R-M will be participating in the 2008 platform of the BioConcept car at a number of high-profile trade events. "Even if the automotive industry, bodyshops, or body and paint centers are not the actual target groups of all of these presentations, participating in them will boost R-M brand’s visibility," says Schlatmann. The BioConcept car is set to participate in the "International Green Week" in Berlin (January 18 to 27, 2008. German Minister of Agriculture Horst Seehofer has indicated a great deal of interest in this event.), as well as in the "Clean Moves Expo" held as part of Expo Hannover (April 21 to 25, 2008), Thyssen-Krupp's "Ideas Park" in Stuttgart (May 17 to 25, 2008), and the International Motor Show Commercial Vehicles (September 25 to October 2, 2008). Other appearances at trade events are in the pipeline.
When it comes to looking and performing like top racers, the team will be presenting itself for the new 2008 season with a top fit and well-equipped profile. Once again, R-M will be providing the appropriate finishes. Now that the results of BASF Coatings' research labs' analyses are in, the second generation of biofibers on the Ford Mustang can be coated and the VW New Beetle, the team's second vehicle, will be reappearing with a new gleaming finish. Thomas von Loewis of Menar, in charge of sports and development at Four Motors, Mario Liposcak, technical manager, and Lutz Wolzenburg, TÜV (technical inspection agency) engineer, are already preparing two competitive racing cars. They will once again be participating in the German BF Goodrich long distance championship race at the Nürburgring racetrack.
"R-M, its customers, and all BASF Coatings’ employees are looking forward to the new racing season. This year there will also be successful customer events where we can generate valuable insight and boost our visibility even more," says Schlatmann. He fondly recalls the R-M sustainability day in Münster. "The panel of experts on green auto racing, the exhibit of the BioConcept car, the visit by Smudo and his appearance as a disc jockey and at the trainees’ graduation ceremony, as well as the entire day presented by R-M are all positively anchored in everyone’s minds and was a real lasting experience," says Schlatmann.
Additional information on R-M and its products, services, and training opportunities is available at +49 231 88 08 530 for Germany and +43 1 69 92 343 0 for Austria or on the R-M website at www.rmpaint.com.
R-M Automotive Refinish : an important part of BASF Coatings
Under the R-M brand, BASF markets a comprehensive range of automotive refinishing paint systems, focusing on eco-efficient waterborne basecoats and high-solids paints. By using these systems all legal solvent-reduction requirements can be complied with anywhere in the world, and with regard to appearance and resistance, the products meet the same quality standards as solvent-borne paints. In this area, the company offers a wide variety of services to support its customers. R-M Automotive Refinish is approved by most of the leading car manufacturers for aftermarket repair and chosen by the world's most prestigious car companies for its color expertise.
