Off to new shores: This year, the German Association for the Surface Finishing of Aluminum (VOA) completely redesigned its tried-and-tested QUALICOAT seminar in an online format and held it digitally for the first time. This was not only well received by VOA members, but also attracted new professional groups: The list of participants at the QUALICOAT seminar on September 30, 2020 included numerous architects and façade builders. The field of participants was rounded off by representatives of the press.
Matthias Krämer, Head of Technology at VOA, hosted the digital QUALICOAT seminar.durability, safety and high quality are important cornerstones for all users in the coated aluminum surface business. The clearly defined and internationally valid QUALICOAT quality mark, which reflects precisely this required high quality on the global market, is therefore of great interest to all market participants. Surface finishing is becoming increasingly attractive, especially in the construction industry, which has so far been less affected by the coronavirus crisis*. It is therefore not surprising that architects and façade builders are increasingly interested in the topic of surface finishing and want to delve deeper into it.
The opportunity to do so presented itself at the QUALICOAT seminar of the VOA, which is the general licensee of the international QUALICOAT quality mark in Germany. "We are particularly pleased about the increased interest shown by numerous professional groups in our QUALICOAT seminar," says VOA Managing Director Dr. Alexa A. Becker. If surface finishers coordinate with architects and façade builders in advance to clarify important details, for example with regard to the protection of the surface, the targeted improvement of material properties or the decorative design, the optimum quality can be used at home and abroad. This saves time, reduces lengthy consultations and increases the durability of the material used. The high quality requirements for surface finishing with regard to aggressive environmental influences such as exhaust fumes or salty air in coastal areas are of particular interest to the customer. Here, the SEASIDE addition of the QUALICOAT quality mark certifies that the coating can withstand special geographical and meteorological requirements.
However, the online format of the QUALICOAT seminar was not only well received by this new target group. The association's member companies also made active use of the VOA's training offer and rated the range of topics, practical relevance and course of events positively. "Even in times of crisis like these, it is important for licensees and accreditation holders of the international QUALICOAT quality mark to continue their training and development. It goes without saying that we support our members in this with great energy," says Dr. Becker. This is why the VOA has now made it possible for experts to exchange valuable information online. Dr. Becker: "We are proud of the successful premiere and would like to thank our speakers Ralf Heitzelmann (ALBEA Metall-Oberflächentechnik GmbH), Stephanie Greber (NABU-Oberflächentechnik GmbH), Thomas Sondermann (Alufinish GmbH & Co. KG) and Dr. Birgit Lindlar-Kremer (Henkel AG & Co. KGaA) for enriching the event with their expertise."
