State-of-the-art training made easy
A great success and a real innovation for the future: With the installation of the 500th MOONWALK® in Germany, PPG is continuing the history of its revolutionary development – and the Münster Chamber of Crafts is now working with state-of-the-art technology in its Chamber of Crafts Education Center (HBZ).
“As the HBZ, we see it as our duty to prepare trainees and prospective Body & Paint technicians for the challenges of the future in the best possible way. With the integration of the MoonWalk automated paint mixing machine from NEXA AUTOCOLOR®, we have further expanded our in-house training in the direction of digitalisation!” Christian Meyer, HBZ Münster, is delighted with the innovative digital tool, which is now in use in Münster. The HBZ and PPG have already been working together for three years. Trainers from the paint manufacturer and its paint supplier Lackzentrum Stindt GmbH provide theoretical and practical support for online and face-to-face training on selected topics. In this way, they provide essential knowledge and valuable expertise in their specialised field.
State-of-the-art training with an eye to the future
One reason for the collaboration is the paint manufacturer’s view of the challenges and opportunities of the future today: According to qualified vehicle painters, PPG is an innovative partner with whom the HBZ is in harmony when it comes to digitalisation, training and future viability. “In the training and further courses at our training centre, we want to provide apprentices and future master craftsmen with the best possible training and show them what is already possible in todays’ body and paint shops,” explains Meyer. “Many small and medium-sized businesses in particular are not yet working with such pioneering machines as the MoonWalk. With us, the apprentices can see what digitalisation can achieve in the Body and Paint sector.”
For example, the automated paint mixing machine minimises the working time in the mixing room, reduces the time, costs and resources required for mixing activities and at the same time increases quality and efficiency. Aspects that are doubly important in view of the shortage of skilled labour, on the one hand for companies, that can rely on fewer and fewer skilled workers, and on the other hand for young people who are about to choose a career. “Modern, high-quality tools such as MoonWalk not only support Bodyshops in their day-to-day operations,” adds Benjamin Moore from Lackzentrum Stindt GmbH, Papenburg. “They also help to improve the image of the profession of a vehicle painter and make it attractive again. Making students aware of the possibilities of digital and automated progress in our industry is an important part of this.”
In addition to the economic benefits, MoonWalk also has other advantages: An eye-catcher on its own, the device on top is extremely easy to operate and facilitates daily work processes in the mixing room. The paint mixing machine also has a positive effect on the overall appearance of the workplace, making the mixing room and the mixing process much cleaner. Furthermore, according to Moore, MoonWalk demonstrates that the industry can work sustainably thanks to the option of mixing even the smallest quantities reliably and efficiently.
An excellent partnership at eye level: HBZ and PPG
Even before MoonWalk was implemented in the training centre, Moore and his colleagues from Stindt and PPG actively supported trainees and master students on selected topics. Moore is delighted that the HBZ is now expanding its training opportunities with the mixing room revolution from Hilden. “The MoonWalk in Münster is the 500th machine in Germany – that really says it all. The HBZ is investing in the future of our industry here and we are proud that they have chosen PPG and us as a paint supplier as a cooperation partner in the tendering process for this.” Jochen Kleemann, Managing Director of PPG Deutschland Sales & Services GmbH, is also delighted with the installation of the smart technology at the craft training centre: “We are delighted to be able to hand over the 500th MoonWalk in Germany and that it is going to the HBZ Münster. The well-trained young people of today will provide the skilled labour of tomorrow – we are very happy to support them in this! We therefore very much welcome the fact that the HBZ is continuing its partnership with us.”
And this cooperation is likely to continue, because in addition to MoonWalk, the HBZ has also integrated the smart digital warehouse management system easyStore from Nexa Autocolor into its training centre – and is thus ideally positioned for the future.
