High-tech training
AkzoNobel opens its applicator training facility at Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, its first in Asia Pacific to enhance regional technical support.
28 October 2024
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AkzoNobel’s yacht coatings business has opened its first Yacht Paint Application Centre (YPAC) in the Asia-Pacific region to offer world-class product and technical training alongside the latest cutting-edge digital paint application tools.
The new state of the art facility, located in the world-renowned Gold Coast City Marina in Coomera, will enhance AkzoNobel’s global technical network which supports applicators and industry professionals with personalised consultations and a hands-on training program to improve their skills and deliver high-quality results.
Featuring a mezzanine-level training room, paint mixing room, preparation bays and an advanced spray booth, the facility will serve as a hub for product education and professional training. Applicators and distributor representatives can receive theoretical and practical training on the proper paint application process for yachts of all sizes.
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The curriculum includes preparation, priming, filling, topcoat application, maintenance and repair of the paint system.
The announcement follows the launch of the Virtual Reality (VR) Spray Gun and the XpertEye headset, two new digital innovations alongside the Awlgrip 3D Colour Visualiser, which will be available at the YPAC to further enhance the training experience.
Designed to enhance training for both experienced and new applicators, the VR Spray Gun simulates real-world yacht painting techniques without using any physical product.
Applicators can use Awlgrip®, Interlux®, International®, or Sea Hawk® systems to practice adjusting spray gun settings, mastering application angles, and perfecting techniques for primers, topcoats, and fouling control. The VR Spray Gun provides users with instant feedback on their technique which allows them to refine their skills before working with real coatings.
For applicators and boatyards seeking remote technical support, XpertEye camera headset is a safe and hands-free visual assistant tool that connects users directly to the AkzoNobel technical team for real-time technical support.
Users can stream live video and capture images, enabling the AkzoNobel team to observe issues and provide immediate guidance from anywhere in the world. The software is compatible with both Apple and Google operating systems and can be easily accessed via mobile devices, ensuring support is always within reach.
The Awlgrip 3D Colour Visualiser is an innovative and industry leading tool designed to empower boaters and applicators by simplifying their journey to find the perfect colour for their boat. Unique algorithms provide users with a visual representation of what their boat could look like in a 3D virtual environment. Users have instant access to tens of thousands of colours from the extensive Awlgrip colour database.
“The opening of the Yacht Paint Application Centre in Asia-Pacific reinforces our commitment to meeting the specific needs of our customers in this rapidly growing market,” said Simon Knight, Regional Sales Manager, AkzoNobel’s yacht coatings.
“With personalised services, product expertise, and cutting-edge technology, we are uniquely positioned as a partner of choice for any type of project.”
Kane Barfoot, AkzoNobel’s yacht coatings’ Regional Technical Services Coordinator, said: “Our focus is to empower professional applicators with the knowledge and skills they need to excel.
“Following on from the success of our YPAC’s in North America and Europe, this new facility will offer comprehensive training programs that cover everything from theoretical paint knowledge to innovative application techniques. We’re excited to be the centre for professional development in the region, helping applicators, distributors, retailers and yards stay ahead of the curve.”
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