Axalta Coating Systems has acquired Metalak Benelux, for more than 60 years the exclusive distributor of the coatings producer’s Spies Hecker refinish coating products sold in the Netherlands and in parts of Belgium.

The formerly privately owned distributor with offices in Bornem, Belgium, and Tiel, the Netherlands, will continue to operate under the Metalak name. It will remain the sales organization for Spies Hecker and for Metalak’s Plus Paint products in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Dirk Lippens, country business manager for Axalta in Benelux, said the deal will optimize the company’s operational infrastructure while at the same time complementing its sales activities.

Metalak’s managing director and owner, Bas van de Ven, will join Axalta’s Benelux Management Team as Business Director Metalak, and will continue as Operational Lead for Metalak in Benelux.

Currently owned by private equity investors, the coatings producer previously belonged to DuPont, and before that the now defunct German Hoechst group.