Mexico. Last week, the 7th Axalta Latin America Dealer Convention 2023 was held, where global executives from Axalta's refinish business joined with distributors in Latin America to share their latest innovations.
The Axalta Latin America Distributor Convention is an exclusive event in which the company brought together 450 participants including executives, distributors, their families and special guests from Mexico and seven Central American countries, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and the Dominican Republic, to share the latest developments.
In his participation, Daniel Salcido, president of Axalta Mexico and vice president of the Refinish Business of Axalta Latin America, spoke about the importance that workshops must give to efficiency and their ability to adapt more quickly to changes.
"To achieve this, it is important to know and adopt new technologies, work tools, as well as participate in training that helps your teams to know the specifications of new products and the requirements that must be met to repair the different types of cars on the market," said Daniel Salcido in this regard.
"Opportunities abound in the market. Currently, we have the #1 share in the Automotive Refinish market globally, with 26% and in the mainstream and economic segments we see great opportunities for growth," said Salcido.
Jim Muse, Vice President of Global Sales for Axalta's Refinish Business, said: "We are aware that expansion and innovation are fundamental to achieving greater market gain and retention, and we are confident that with our great allies in Latin America we will make it happen."
Manuel Maestro, commercial director for the Refinish Business of Axalta Mexico, highlighted the growth of the refinish segment in recent years, in addition to highlighting the benefits of the most innovative products in its portfolio, such as the Cromax Gen portfolio.
On the other hand, Marcelo Herrera, Director of Product and Development of the Refinish Business of Axalta Latin America, detailed the advances in sustainability in the industry and how coatings evolve towards water-based technologies that maintain the performance of solvent-based technologies, but in more environmentally friendly products.
"Over the past decade, digital technology has revolutionized the way businesses operate, enabling them to adapt, grow and thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace," said Karla Tortolero, senior global marketing manager at Axalta.
"Therefore, for us, taking advantage of digital tools and platforms means establishing a fluid connection with our distributors, and thereby empowering them to streamline their processes and strengthen the positioning of their businesses," he added.
The company maintains that diversity and inclusion are an engine of growth, and considers the talent of the people with whom it works inside and outside the company as its main differentiator that drives both creativity and innovation.
The company's commitment is to continue working to promote the development of women, and that is why, as part of the day's activities, Yazmín Gallardo, manager of the Traditional and Stable segment for the Refinish Business of Axalta Mexico and Ximena Fernández, responsible for the Human Resources area (People Experience) of Axalta Mexico, met with five women leaders from their own businesses to hear their development and success stories on the Colors of Leadership panel.
During the plenary, Yazmín and Ximena highlighted the importance of constant work and dedication for these five women to be successful in their businesses and in their personal lives.
They also mentioned that continuing to acquire new knowledge and skills, and sharing it with those around them, has allowed them not only to stay updated, but to elevate their work teams and therefore their businesses.
"Our commitment is to continue creating an environment of equality where everyone can grow, promote a climate of respect, increase female participation to reduce the generation gap, and reconcile life and work to facilitate labor dynamics with all the roles that we women have," said Ximena Fernández.


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