Akzo Nobel and the Sikkens brand technology will face a new type of collision challenge - on baseball and softball diamonds across the nation. Akzo Nobel will be the sole supplier of paint for 26 new bats that are being marketed by Worth Bats,a leading manufacturer of products used within the sports industry. 

Jarod Smalley Marketing Project Design with Worth was looking for a new paint solution for the company's line of bats. The majority of Worth's bat assortment was anodized, limiting color selection. 

A homerun for Akzo Nobel finishes

"Almost every company in the industry offers anodized bats," said Tim Lord. "With anodized bats there are some inherent limitations on color and brightness. We were looking for an alternative to give our products more shelf appeal. Akzo Nobel came to the forefront when we were considering alternatives."

Akzo Nobel conducted a series of tests on the bats for quality assurance including humidity, prohesion, impact, gravelometer, and salt spray tests. The bats were also field tested by select NCAA University baseball teams.

"Worth came to us and wanted us to dazzle them," said Technical Service Representative Jason Richardson of Akzo Nobel. "We began looking at popular color trends and color combinations. We analyzed what was popular and what sells. We developed an entire line for them."

Cosmetic appeal

Worth is the first bat manufacturer to use automotive finish for cosmetic appeal. A 2-fade performance was used to give the bats visual appeal. Akzo Nobel's new performance finish appears on 26, 2005/2006 bats including the new Asylum Nano Technology composite bat, the Silencer, Prodigy, Quad, PST, Insanity, and EST bats. The entire line of performance finish bats are now available across the nation in sporting good stores.

"Akzo Nobel's performance finish not only provides us with the visual appeal we were looking for, but also the durability. We needed a paint product that could withstand the wear and tear of hitting the dirt and absorbing the impact of baseballs and softballs," added Lord.

Worth was also looking for a way to streamline their manufacturing process. Akzo Nobel's Facility Layout & Design Manager Rick Farnan,assisted Worth with recommendations on the layout and design of their paint room.

"Akzo Nobel opened their labs for us and provided the technical expertise we were looking for. Their team of experts helped us purchase the necessary equipment we needed to start production on the new bats using the Akzo Nobel Performance Finish at our manufacturing facility in Tennessee. In less than four months we were able to begin production thanks to the cooperative efforts of both companies. Jason Richardson and his entire team did an excellent job," said Lord.

Future projects

Work is also underway on other applications of sporting goods where high-end finishes with that offer durability are necessary, such as helmets.

"We are thrilled to be associated with Worth and look forward to developing more cutting edge products together," said Richardson.