WACKER öppnar internationellt träningscenter i Dubai för byggnadskemikalier

WACKER Opens International Training Center for Construction Chemicals in Dubai

Munich/Dubai, March 31, 2010 – WACKER, the Munich-based chemical group, is opening a new international training center for construction chemicals at its technical center in Dubai today. The new WACKER ACADEMY training and competence center offers an ideal platform for sector-specific networking between customers, distribution partners and WACKER specialists. The Group is thus promoting the transfer of expertise to its local customers and business partners, thereby helping to further tap into the region’s fast-growing market for modern construction chemicals. WACKER is simultaneously celebrating the tenth anniversary of Wacker Chemicals Middle East, the Group’s local subsidiary in Dubai. The purpose of the training center is to promote the transfer of knowledge to local customers and business partners. The seminar program caters to the specific needs of the construction-chemicals industry in the Middle East. It provides its customers and business partners with an opportunity to learn about all relevant aspects of modern polymer and silicone chemistry and their applications in the construction industry. Seminars are held by WACKER experts, regional construction-industry specialists and university lecturers. Close proximity to the applications labs at the Dubai technical center fosters a lively exchange of expertise and lays the optimal groundwork for customer service. Thus, the WACKER ACADEMY offers an ideal platform for sector-specific networking between customers, distribution partners and WACKER specialists. The new training center is being opened during a celebration to mark the 10th anniversary of the local sales office, Wacker Chemicals Middle East. “The new WACKER ACADEMY is an important milestone in our Middle East growth strategy,” says WACKER Executive Board member Auguste Willems. “As these facilities are unprecedented in the region, we can reinforce our position as a technology leader for high-quality chemical raw materials.” Due to the rising number of training inquiries from the region, an independent training center in the form of the Dubai WACKER ACADEMY has now been established for the Middle East market and located on the technical center’s premises. The Dubai technical center is a regional competence center for modern construction chemicals and their applications. WACKER specialists at the center test formulations containing local raw materials under the customers’ specific climatic conditions. Additionally, the technical center offers practical advice on problems relating to construction chemicals and helps customers to implement internationally applicable quality standards. As a result of last year’s expansion program, the center’s available floor space has now almost doubled. At the same time, ultramodern lab equipment has been commissioned that enables testing according to the latest international standards. “WACKER Dubai is ideally positioned, thanks to its high product quality, excellent service and committed team of experts,” says Dr. Stefano Iannacone, managing director of Wacker Chemicals Middle East. “The new WACKER ACADEMY here in Dubai sets new standards in service, advice and transfer of expertise, offering our customers and business partners considerable added value.” WACKER set up a local subsidiary (Wacker Chemicals Middle East) in Dubai back in 2000 and has been operating its own sales office there since then. A technical center has been available to regional customers and partners since 2002. From Dubai, the subsidiary serves customers from the United Arab Emirates, the Middle East and Africa.