Clariant bring worldwide technical staff together

Clariant's finishing line were given first-hand information about latest product developments, R&D activities and actual status of project-works for different leather types to their worldwide technical staff. 'This unique event reflects our strong commitment to keep our colleagues fully informed about innovations and benefits we are presently working at to face the today's needs of our customers', says Dr Michael Kurwan, newly appointed head of PM finishing. Adrian Meier, head of Leather Business and worldwide commercial manager, Rudolf Helber, demonstrated the new organization and gave an overview about market and regional trends. 'It's more than important to share our experiences across the whole organization to face rapidly changing market needs', so Rudolf Helber. Focus was also put on customized projects like special fashion activities, which will be presented in the main fashion markets. With this event, the technical headquarters in Leinfelden, Germany invited more than 70 technicians from 27 countries to upgrade their technical knowledge and share their regional market and technical experiences on a global level. The visitors from abroad participated actively in presentations on country-reports, interesting leathers, relevant finishing-formulations, interesting finishing-products and needs from headquarters for their individual markets. A guest-speaker from the automotive industry reported on new trends within the car-interior. After two days of presentations and lively discussions concerning leather- and market-specific issues, the third day was reserved for a real exciting sightseeing-tour to Heidelberg - a must of German culture. Thanks to their choosing the right gift prepared for all participants, Japanese tourists were seen taking photographs of Clariant personnel walking through the rain with 70 blue Clariant umbrellas. The workshop ended with a dinner in a famous garden centre, 20 km from Stuttgart. Members were seated amongst flowers, plants and trees, enjoying the team-spirit within Clariant's Leather Family. A lot of fruitful discussions made the workshop an unforgettable event and recharged the 'technical batteries' in order to serve the company's worldwide customers in the most professional way. 'It's a real pleasure to feel the spirit and motivation of my finishing staff', says Marcelo Pasquet, former head of PM finishing, who officially ceded his function to Michael Kurwan and his team looked forward to his new challenging position as head of wet end chemicals and dyes.