Bamson Company Limited, local representative of Crown Paints Limited, United Kingdom, (UK) has announced a programme under which selected Ghanaian architectural and industrial painters will receive training at the Crown headquarters in the UK.
The Managing Director of Bamson, Mr Kwame Ofosu Bamfo, who disclosed this at the opening of a two-day decorative coatings (painting) seminar in Accra, said the move is in line with his company’s efforts to inject a high level of professionalism into the painting aspect of Ghana’s housing industry.
The seminar was facilitated by Mr Stephen Mills, a Technical Consultant, who led the discussions and demonstrations; and Mr Jon Dingoor, the Commercial Manager, in charge of Export and Licensing at Crown Paints Limited. It attracted painters from Accra and other parts of the country.
“One of the objectives of the training programme is to help to develop the painters’ knowledge of basic paint systems,” Mr Mills said.
It was also to help improve their understanding of the tools of application, the characteristics of substrates (substances that are acted upon by certain organisms) as well as the preparation of surfaces for painting.
The seminar gave the painters the opportunity to learn how to apply a wide range of products and understand the application properties. It also helped to build their confidence in offering technical advice in support of Crown brands.
During the theory and practical sessions, the participants were introduced to the professional handling, the features and benefits of interior and exterior Crown and Sandtex products such as primers and substrates, undercoats, gloss, emulsions, acrylics etc.
After taking the participants through some demonstrations, Mr Mills expressed the hope that the painters would handle their jobs more professionally. “We have equipped them with the skills to identify common problems, recognize paint film defects as well as the ability to better prepare new or previously painted surfaces among many other professional practices”.
The Commercial Manager, Mr Dingoor introduced the painters to some Crown products. They included the high build textured paint, which is an advanced decorative and protective textured coating for covering fine cracks and for regulating repaired and uneven surfaces.
Others were dirt repellents that minimise dirt retention and fungicides, which are concentrated solutions for the treatment of organic growth on exterior undecorated and previously decorated surfaces.
The Technical Instructor at Bamson, Mr Patrick Nyarko advised the painters not to use their bare hands to mix paints and other chemicals but wear protective gear such as hand-gloves at all times to help prevent health challenges such as skin diseases and asphyxia (breathing difficulties).
“The seminar has been successful and I am hopeful that it will help to promote a stronger working relationship between Crown Paints Limited & Bamson Company as well as our customer base,” the Sales and Marketing Director at Bamson Company Limited, Mr George Debrah stated.
By: Evans Effah/citifmonline.com