“We are very pleased to be able to bring this symposium and message to the visibility of the broader automotive industry and the audiences that SEMA represents. Our goal is to focus the intellect of the industry toward the vision of making sustainable business practices a top- of- mind consideration for the collision repair industry,” said Laura Costello, Director of Marketing for AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas. “The leaders represented at these forums have provided critical insights and suggestions for building awareness and knowledge in the advancement of this initiative.”
The Sustainability Leadership Symposium is a progression of the FIT Sustainability Award. FIT, presented annually since 2009, recognizes the Focus, Innovation and Talent which businesses or organizations utilize to bring sustainable business solutions to the collision repair industry. Both initiatives are evolutionary advancements from the Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry (MIW) that was initiated by AkzoNobel in 1999. MIW began as a method of recognizing the benefits of workforce diversity and the opportunities for women within collision repair. The 14- year history of the MIW program provides proof that societal needs can be advanced and positive outcomes achieved for the industry.
“People, planet and profit—triple bottom line—the three key considerations of any business seeking to incorporate sustainable business practices as part of their operating model,” noted Costello. “The Most Influential Women program was a forerunner in advancing the people part of this equation. Many lives have been touched over the years by this program. Moving forward, a wider net will be cast and more will be touched as the issue of diversity will be advanced through a new focus on ‘sustainability.’ The legacy of MIW will be carried on through the FIT Awards and the Sustainability Leadership Symposium.”
For more information about the AkzoNobel Sustainability Leadership Symposium, please contact Bill Orr; Communication Manager, Americas at 770-441-8973.
AkzoNobel is the largest global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals. We supply industries and consumers worldwide with innovative products and are passionate about developing sustainable answers for our customers. Our portfolio includes well known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International and Eka. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we are a Global Fortune 500 company and are consistently ranked as one of the leaders in the area of sustainability. With operations in more than 80 countries, our 55,000 people around the world are committed to excellence and delivering Tomorrow’s Answers Today™.
AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings is one of the world's leading suppliers of paints and services for car repair, commercial vehicles, automotive plastics and aerospace coatings markets. It sells coatings for original equipment and refinishing applications to bodyshops, aircraft manufacturers, fleet owners, automotive suppliers and major bus and truck producers.Brands include Sikkens®, Lesonal®, Dynacoat®, Wanda®, Sikkens Autocoat® BT, Aerowave®, Aerobase® and Aerodur®. Operating in more than 60 countries, Automotive & Aerospace Coatings has specialists around the world who understand local markets and can serve local needs. Its state-of-the-art customer services, color and technology solutions include offering technical and logistical support and the delivery of training programs. Internet: www.akzonobel.com/aac
