In this month's edition, we will catch up with Andreas Schaefer, Key Account manager, who will tell us how he started his career in the car refinish industry, his interests, hobbies, and role and responsivities as the Key Account Manager for R-M.

Please tell our readers about how you started your career in the automotive refinish industry.

My career started as an automotive technician apprentice. It was not long when I realized that I wanted to move a step further, so I went back to school to pursue my master's degree. My journey in the Gulf region started after receiving an opportunity to work in Kuwait as a service engineer. After a couple of years, also in different organizations, I became a workshop manager and then, received an offer in the UAE at Audi Volkswagen Middle East, which was a big step up.

Before joining BASF as a Key Account Manager for their premium refinish paint brand, my expertise and experience focused on supporting body shops in the region by helping them improve their productivity, efficiency and consequently, profitability.

What are your personal interests and hobbies?

Because of my busy work-life, there are some hobbies that I don`t practice since many years, for example, archery, RC buggy racing and shooting. Nowadays, I would prefer to use this free time with my family, mainly playing around with my 5-years old son. We love Lego. 

Could you tell us about your role?

One of our key strengths at BASF Middle East is that we are very close to our customers in the market. My responsibilities as a Key Account Manager are keeping close contact with the OEMs regional offices and their importers and, as important, strengthening the existing business between BASF and their business partners in the region.

I am responsible for the UAE, Kuwait, and Iran. My objective is to keep identifying customers whose processes are focused on value, innovation, and efficiency as main drivers and support them in growing their business. We have the best products and the best team to win against the competition.

What do you most enjoy about your role at BASF?

Since the first day I joined BASF; I was given the freedom and trust to achieve my goals. Our amazing Automotive Refinish Solutions team welcomed me, and I can feel their strong pace, pushing forward for that extra mile. 
I am proud to be part of a diversified group of dedicated professionals who work hard to bring solutions to the differentiated customer requirements across the Middle East.