"Cooperation with manufacturers and energy-efficient solutions are now the most strategic activities"

AutoRevista.- What challenges are the transformation of the automotive industry and its relationship with the new safe, sustainable, connected and electrified mobility posing for NOF Metal Coatings?

Steven Kerveillant .- The transformation of the automotive industry goes beyond questions of technology or business model. In fact, it reflects the dynamics of the new generations, who are growing up with a deep environmental awareness, constantly learning from massive sources of information, and experimenting with new forms of social interaction. These are the strategic and challenging areas on which NOF MCEU will focus in the future to become a more attractive, reliable and creative partner. Achieving such a fundamental transformation, with talent diversity, motivation and initiative at its core, will naturally provide the keys to succeeding in our greatest challenge: building a new future with carbon-neutral solutions and highly functional anticorrosion coatings for metal parts.

AR.- In which fields is the company focusing its efforts on innovation in processes and products, taking into account the sustainability vector?

S.K.- Four years ago, NOF Metal Coatings Group invested in GABI, one of the best software solutions for carrying out life cycle assessments of our products and processes. Our aim was to measure and understand the various impacts of our solutions on the environment, in order to prioritize our technical development activities appropriately. This initiative has already given us a totally new perspective on our raw materials, chemistry and coating technology. We are now able to steer our product and process developments precisely towards a much smaller environmental and CO2 footprint, but above all towards less energy-intensive processes. To extend our Market footprint, new range of functionalities, such as conductivity and insulation, combined with the integration of the PFAS regulation, will complete key pillars of our innovation program.

We are now able to steer our product and process developments precisely towards a much smaller environmental and CO2 footprint, but above all towards less energy-intensive processes

AR.- What are the keys to further improve the properties of products such as GEOMET?

S.K.- GEOMET anticorrosion coatings and PLUS VLh lubricated topcoat are market-leading technologies, mainly in the fastener and brake rotor industry, thanks to our reliable network of approved applicators. Development is now turning to the application of chassis parts, with over 3 million lower control arms already on the road, in a highly aggressive and corrosive environment. 

We are confident that our new developments will help reduce TIER1 processing operations and increase the durability of automotive components

Further technical advances are expected, thanks to the results of our intensive research into "corrosion mechanisms", the increase in data-driven process solutions and, of course, the evolution of the automotive industry, which now relies more heavily on cyclic corrosion tests, which are far more representative of car service life conditions. What's more, thanks to a product engineering approach with parts manufacturers and OEMs, focused on integrating the functionalities of our coating material at the part interface, we are confident that our new developments will help reduce TIER1 processing operations and increase the durability of automotive components.

AR.- What are the dynamics of cooperation with suppliers of vehicle components and especially with suppliers of fasteners?

S.K.- More than ever, in the face of an unprecedented transformation of the automotive industry, cooperation with parts manufacturers has become the most strategic activity for guiding our developments in the right direction. As BEV technologies pose many engineering challenges, our approach is to study and think beyond the coated part, rapidly integrating this new technological culture. That's why we've been working with reference benchmarking company A2Mac1 for almost 5 years, to carry out our own analysis of automotive components (chassis parts, battery packs, brake rotors and fasteners) and identify new opportunities to bring them greater added value to. As we are all confronted with time issues and daily priorities, such an activity is necessary to be more efficient and productive in our numerous cooperations.

More than ever, in the face of an unprecedented transformation of the automotive industry, cooperation with parts manufacturers has become the most strategic activity for guiding our developments in the right direction

AR.- How are synergies being developed with other branches of the group in Asia, North and South America?

S.K.- The NOF Metal Coatings Group has been restructured in 2019, with 3 major regional platforms (Europe and its South American subsidiary, Asia-Pacific and North America). This major structural change was initiated to strengthen regional market adaptation and accelerate global product development and industrial synergies. Our extensive multicultural identity and local industrial footprint are clearly one of our Group's greatest strengths, in the face of a global economy whose supply chain has shown enormous weaknesses, and in the face of regional regulations that are driving markets and developments at different speeds and in directions that are not aligned. 

Synergies within the NOF Metal Coatings Group continue to grow and take shape thanks to quarterly working groups covering all areas of activity, from marketing to technical development, under the leadership of our head office in Japan and Europe. As an example, the establishment of a new management team in Brazil, with intensive commercial and technical synergies supported by Europe, has already led to the acquisition of new business and the development of local partnerships.

AR.- To what extent is the digitalisation of the company's business being addressed?

S.K.- Data and all related processing systems are definitely part of our future, along with human resources, intellectual property and the creative spirit. To a certain extent, they can be connected to each other and offer a vast network of reliable information to our staff, but also to our external partners, with the aim of improving communication, analysis and decision-making. 

Day after day, new interfaces and digital tools are being designed and improved, mainly by us and notably through artificial intelligence systems

The reality is, of course, quite challenging, but day after day, new interfaces and digital tools are being designed and improved, mainly by us and notably through artificial intelligence systems, to serve our product developments, manufacturing activities and business intelligence. This is an incredible opportunity to transcend companies and work cultures, to increase our collective intelligence and to drive our technical and commercial development faster, at lower cost and with greater market and customer satisfaction.

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Interview published in AutoRevista 2.382