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Christoph
Fischer-Zernin from SÄKAPHEN ( center ) with Trepax ’ s team .
A Day in the Life of a Coating Inspector
What started as a one-off on-site audit conducted by SÄKAPHEN at the premises of a Thai user has soon become a synergic collaboration between a coating manufacturer and one of its newest partners . This exemplary story of a successful partnership between a coating manufacturer and an applicator proves that a high-quality lining only results from a top-quality product combined with a top-quality application .
Text by Chiara Foppa Pedretti , SÄKAPHEN GmbH . All images by SÄKAPHEN GmbH .
When Trepax Innovation Co ., Ltd . approached SÄKAPHEN , a German manufacturer of corrosion protection coatings , it had already selected its Si 14 EG heat-cured phenolic product for one of its lining projects . In general , SÄKAPHEN ’ s baked phenolics are only applied by the company ’ s authorized applicators to ensure these high-end linings ’ high quality and performance . However , Trepax was not sure about immediately becoming an authorized applicator . Commercial Director Christoph Fischer-Zernin , a Certified NACE Inspector – Level 2 in charge of SÄKAPHEN ’ s business development , offered the perfect solution : performing an audit on Trepax ’ s application capabilities , processes and results . That was a great success , also thanks to the prior experience of one of Trepax ’ s project managers in the field of heat-cured phenolic coatings and starting a , hopefully ) long-standing partnership between these two companies . Thinking back at that experience , Fischer-Zernin decided to reflect on SÄKAPHEN ’ s auditing procedures and what it takes to succeed in them .
When a party who wants to apply your wellknown heat-cured coatings gets in touch with you , what are its initial thoughts ? And what is your approach ? Usually , the approaching party ( EPC / Contractor ) has an application request from an existing or potential client for one of our products , likely a baked lining . As SÄKAPHEN is well known for the excellent performance of its coatings and its carefully selected applicators for high-quality operations , the inquiring party is curious to know :
• as an EPC , where the nearest Authorized Applicator is located ;
• as a contractor , what are the commercial and technical prerequisites to becoming a SÄKAPHEN authorized applicator .
46 Heat Exchanger World February 2025 www . heat-exchanger-world . com