Corporate

Perseverance Pays Off

ElectroluxPerseverance and teamwork between Electrolux, BlueScope Steel and Akzo Nobel has resulted in a better looking refrigerator for a highly competitive market, and valuable technical know how on paint formulation and paint line controls.

Australian manufacturers of domestic appliances have been using COLORBOND® steel in their products for decades. Washing machines, clothes dryers, freezers and refrigerators are just some of the products built from BlueScope Steel.

In 1998, BlueScope Steel was preparing to close the powder coating line used to produce the high gloss feed material for these products. An alternative production method would be required to satisfy the continued demand for this premium product.

Refrigerator doors in particular, require a very high standard of surface finish. To meet Electrolux's exacting requirements, the new coating would need to exceed the quality of the previously powder coated product.

The development began with BlueScope Steel consulting one of their suppliers, Akzo Nobel (formerly Courtaulds), who are the world's largest supplier of coatings. Nigel Leavers of Akzo Nobel was able to develop a Topcoat and Primer system that would do the job, through his company's overseas contacts.

The trialling of the new product commenced with meetings between the three companies. Achieving the desired surface quality was quite difficult and required fine tuning over a period. This entailed changes to the coating formulation by Akzo Nobel, changes in the control and operation of the paint line by BlueScope Steel, and modifications to the manufacturing process utilised by Electrolux to make the refrigerator doors.

By working as a team, the companies were able to overcome significant obstacles to improve the quality of a premium household product.

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