BASF has been chosen as one of the best suppliers of the year by Hyundai Motor Brazil. The company received the ‘Supplier of the Year 2013 – Excellence in General Purchasing’ award as recognition for supplying waterborne automotive coatings for Hyundai’s HB20 model manufactured in Piracicaba, Brazil. 

The award includes the assessment of requirements such as cost management, quality and delivery. Hyundai is one of BASF’s global automotive customers. BASF has been working in close partnership with Hyundai since the beginning of paint process installation at the Piracicaba plant. Here, a shortened integrated process was implemented for the first time in South America. In addition to using waterborne materials, the paintline is shortened by one step. This means that less material, time and energy are used for the application of the coating.

“The award is a recognition of our successful partnership. It demonstrates the great commitment of our international team to deliver sustainable solutions, anticipating the needs of our customer,” said Fabian Garcia, BASF key account manager for automotive OEM coatings in Brazil.

BASF’s Coatings division develops, produces and markets innovative automotive coatings, automotive refinishes and industrial coatings as well as decorative paints. It operates sites in Europe, North America and South America as well as Asia Pacific. In 2013, the division recorded global sales of €2.9 billion (Rs 24,197 crore).

Photograph: Fabian Garcia, BASF key account manager for automotive OEM coatings in Brazil (third from left).