HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, celebrated the Grand Opening of its first-in-the-industry Powder Coating Learning and Development Center on October 28, 2016. Situated adjacent to Axalta’s powder manufacturing headquarters in Houston, Texas, the facility serves Axalta’s customers as well as those interested in learning more about powder coatings or advancing their application skills. Classes are available in both English and Spanish.

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Michael Cash, Axalta President, Industrial Coatings, Michael Bollan, Business Director for Axalta's North America powder business, and Rick Dale, star of History Channel show American Restoration, open the Powder Coating Learning & Development Center in Houston, TX. (Photo: Axalta)

The Learning and Development Center will attract thousands of powder coating professionals to the Houston area for single day and multi-day classes taught by industry experts. Classes are designed to give students hands-on experience with the latest application techniques using advanced powder coating technology, including a Nordson Colormax II spray booth, a Gema batch booth and a 512-cubic-foot gas oven for curing. The center also features classrooms equipped with innovative seating pods to encourage and support collaboration and relationship building.

The Learning and Development Center opened to Axalta employees, customers and guests with a celebratory program that featured facility tours and guest speaker, Rick Dale, star of History Channel show American Restoration. Dale spoke on how the use of powder coatings contributes to the success of his restoration projects, as well as the need for this type of facility in the industry.

Axalta also presented its inaugural Axalta Achievement Scholarship Award to Zhongzheng Cai, a Ph.D. student in the Chemistry program at the University of Houston. In partnership with Powder Coating Institute (PCI), a non-profit organization that strives to promote powder coating technology and its benefits within the manufacturing, consumer and government sectors, the scholarship is offered on an annual basis to a deserving student pursuing studies in fields related to powder coating chemistry at a university in the United States.

“The Axalta Achievement Scholarship Award is a commitment to foster the development of the inquisitive minds of future technologists in our industry,” said Kevin Biller, Member, PCI Board of Directors and President, Powder Coating Research Group. “Partnering with Axalta Coating Systems is a great way to engage students considering a career in powder coatings.”

“We are thrilled to open this dedicated powder coating learning and development center and to offer Axalta’s respected powder coating expertise to those who need it,” said Mike Cash, Axalta President of Industrial Coatings. “We are also pleased to partner with industry leader, PCI to offer the Axalta Achievement Scholarship. This scholarship demonstrates our commitment to support the next generation of powder coating leaders.”

To learn more about Axalta’s Powder Coating Learning and Development Center please visit www.axalta.us/powder/trainingcenter.

About Axalta Coating Systems – Celebrating 150 Years in the Coatings Industry

Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the materials we coat to last longer. With 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the approximately 12,800 people of Axalta continue to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in 130 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information visit axaltacoatingsystems.com and follow us @Axalta on Twitter and on LinkedIn.

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