SPECIAL TRAINING IN PAINT TECHNOLOGY FOR PRODUCER SALES STAFF

The SA Paint Manufacturing Association (SAPMA) has introduced a new two-day training course to equip the sales personnel of member producers to be sufficiently conversant with paint technology when dealing with existing or potential customers.

Tara Benn, SAPMA Administration Manager, says the Association has taken note of the fact that although it offers technical training for the coatings sector, only a small percentage of SAPMA students who have qualified over the years have actually become paint chemists. “Many are employed in other capacities, particularly in sales and marketing where their technical knowledge is often decisive in securing contracts,” Tara explains.

SAPMA has therefore decided to condense the technical aspects of its training into a special two-day course during which paint technology will be taught without the time-consuming laboratory testing or intensive chemistry aspects of the curriculum which sales personnel basically do not require. “The new Technical Sales Training Programme will help manufacturers’ sales personnel when they pitch for business with retailers, assist them in convincing paint contractors to select their company’s paints, and also convince and influence architects to specify their factory’s paints and coatings for construction projects.”

Tara says SAPMA will be prepared to offer the training on site at members’ premises if the company nominates at least six students. “The short course in paint technology could even benefit member companies’ management executives in the course of their duties,” she adds.

For more information, contact Tara on 011 615 1195 or email training@sapma.org.za or visit www.sapma.org.za. e