Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Coatings specialist Whitford says its recently-introduced Lunch and Learn initiative has generated positive feedback from customers and plenty of food for thought on how Whitford might meet new market challenges.
Through the scheme Whitford coating experts set up an information point at the premises of one of the company’s cookware or bakeware manufacturer customers. Staff can then go along to learn more about the products they use, or those that might help them in their work.
Whitford says that sessions completed so far have been well received, as they provide a thorough understanding of how the product manufacturer and the coatings industry can work to find solutions together.
Says spokesperson Dr David Kidby: “Lunch and Learn is providing some interesting market trends with regard to solutions new coatings can bring to challenges in the marketplace.
“The trends in the cookware and bakeware market are a demand for high-performance, long-lasting coatings that also improve the release of the product from bakeware, ie, it becomes easier to turn a loaf out more consistently. This seems to be particularly pertinent for products that have high sugar content. Whitford has developed a range of PFA plus powder coatings in response to this demand.”
He says there is also a strong move towards ordering coatings free of the chemical PFOA, which has been linked to some health problems.
“They’re a little more expensive and less stable, so we make coaters aware of this, but there are many more manufacturers and coaters specifying PFOA-free than two years ago,” he says.
Plans to roll out the Lunch and Learn initiative are now underway, not only across Whitford’s UK customer base but also to coaters and end users where furthering their knowledge of the coating industry would benefit their product or service. To book a session contact Claire Testi on 01928 598101 or ctesti@whitfordww.com.
Whitford is the manufacturer of the world’s largest line of fluoropolymer coatings, with manufacturing facilities in eight countries and agents in an additional 25, and it sells in more than 50 countries.
