SURCAR 2014 (the 27th edition of the International Congress on Automotive Body Finishing) closed its doors. Taking place last April 9th & 10th in Shanghai, the world-renowned congress gathered nearly 300 delegates, registering an increase in more than 20% of its previous edition in 2013 in Cannes - France! A quick look at the event, which is definitely here to stay.

With ten partners and a large press coverage supporting the event, some historical and others new (mainly locals), SURCAR has made quite an impression for its debut in Asia. If a majority of delegates came from Asia (around 80%), they have had the opportunity to exchange with international professionals coming, mainly from Europe and the United States, on challenges of a market experiencing major expansion and revolution. The key issue: growth and sustainability, particularly important in Asia, resonated deeply with both suppliers and OEMs decision-makers. To name but a few of them: ABB, Altana, Arcelor Mittal, Axalta Coating Systems, Axson Revocoat, BAIC group, BASF, Bayer, BBAC, BMW Brilliance, Bollig & Kemper – Nippon Paint, BYD, CAPSA, Changan group and Changan Ford, Chemetall, Chery, China Surface Engineering Association of Branch, Dongfeng Design Institute, Dongfeng Nissan and Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen, Doolim Robotics, Dürr, Eastman, Eisenmann, Excel Industrial China, FAW Car – FAW Volkswagen and FAW Toyota R&D, Fiat – Chrysler, Fischer, Ford, Fujian Benz Automotive Co., Fraunhofer Institute, Geely, Geico-Taikisha, Gider, GM group and GM Volkswagen, Great Wall, Henkel, Hiraise Technology, Honda, Huf Automotive, Hyundai-Kia, Kansai Paint, Kerun, Kluthe, Kremlin Rexson – Sames, Magna Steyr, Mahindra & Mahindra, Nihon Parkerizing, Nof Metal Coatings, Parker Engineering, Pfinder, Plastic Omnium, PPG, Qoros, SAIC, SCIVIC Engineering Corporation, Shanghai Volkswagen, Sturm Gruppe, Trinity Industrial corp.,Toyota Motor corp., Volvo, YTO Group…

During his opening speech, Mr. Xichun Wang, Consultant for FAW Group Corporation, Technology Research Institute and honored chairman of the paint branch of China Automobile Engineering Committee, explained: "This decade is the golden period of the automotive industry in China. In the recent 5 years, China has kept its leading position with automobile production and sale amount. But the development of automobile painting in China is unbalanced and uneven. The level of technology and equipment standards are out of date, and the design concept is lacking ecological consciousness. Some of the paint shops are in poor condition with high-emission levels, high-energy consumption, and low efficiency. For example, VOC emissions of these shops are above 100g/m2, which is 2-3 times of that in the shops with state-of-art techniques. Therefore, the market for applying new process and material and the corresponding paint shop modification will be the biggest in the world."

Surcar 2014, content & networking in one event

This is why the organizers have decided to bring the best of SURCAR in Asia, in Shanghai for this first edition: "there is an undeniable need for professionals to exchange ideas with local peers but also with international ones to contribute together in improving the body finishing and coating industry"  explains Mrs. Floriane Blot, SURCAR Project Manager. Exhibiting spaces and networking areas, the gala dinner and the SURCAR Awards ceremony have given an occasion for friendly networking. As for conferences, three themes were selected by an International Committee of Body Finishing experts comprising of both OEMs and suppliers: New Technology Trends, State of the Art in Painting & Coating Today and Paint Finishing in Asian Market Context, with a majority of presentations co-presented by OEM/suppliers. Mr. Reiner Schmid, president & CEO of Dürr Paintshop Systems Engineering Co., Ltd, summarizes: "SURCAR 2014 is a very high level international conference. Its content is very abundant and the technology presented in the conference is very advanced in the coating and painting field. Moreover, the seat occupancy rate is considered very high."
But the exchanges don't stop here. With an industry evolving at significantly different places and paces throughout the world, an international SURCAR Community has begun to emerge, exchanging continuous information while waiting for the next opportunity to meet up. A discussion group is now open on the social network LinkedIn, and others are coming on local networks throughout the world. "We are proud to be now present in Shanghai, an important step in building a dynamic International SURCAR Community to serve our exciting and interesting Industry. I would like to thank all who participated in this success and I am looking forward to meeting the community again next year" says Mr. Tim Hayes, president of SURCAR International Committee.
Next edition of SURCAR will take place in the beautiful French Riviera city, Cannes, on June 18th and 19th 2015.

Testimonials

Mr. Fucheng Yan, Product and Business Technical Director, Axalta Coating Systems China: "Shanghai SURCAR is a really successful event! So many new technologies were presented, successful cases sharing, exchanging new ideas among delegates, learning, meeting old friends and making new friends!"

Mr. Shi Jinzhong, Material Department Manager, Great Wall Motors: "It was a very successful congress and very thoughtful for the details. It was a great opportunity for me to participate."

Mrs. Huichun Kang, Deputy Director, China YTO Group Corporation Technology Process Material Research Institute: "It is a grand gathering of coating technology exchange. The presentations show the top technology of today and SURCAR deserves its reputation."

Mr. Bai Xuesen, ME Paint Manager, Daqing Volvo Car Manufacturer Co Ltd: "It was a very good congress, I learnt a lot about new technologies in paintshop that I will use in the future. It was an honor to participate."

For Information:
Floriane BLOT
SURCAR Project Manager
Tel. +33.1.77 92 99 24
Fax +33.1.46 99 24 39
E-mail: fblot@surcarcongress.com
www.surcarcongress.com