Mariana Vitulio

- Supporting Automotive tiers by troubleshooting and developing new products according to the OEM requests, specializing in high and low-bake hydroxyl/melamine and polyester-CAB coatings for auto parts in the industry;

- Performing chemical research experiments to troubleshoot and address specific production problems related to automotive coating products, including color matching and coating development, coating formulations, and sample analyses;

- Assisting with technical and chemical expertise related to plant batch manufacturing, including quality control;

- Conducting paint property and raw material testing, including in response to force majeures or cost pressures, and reformulating existing paint coating products with alternative raw materials;

- Executing technical support projects by conducting root cause investigations, troubleshooting, and performance testing on coating products;

- Directing technical activities to support the recovery of distressed assets, including paint coating products and raw materials that would otherwise be disposed at a loss.

Industrial Liquid Coatings Development:

- Product development of solvent-borne coatings for the HDE Market, focused on 2K urethane topcoats, epoxy primers and 2K urethane monocoats;

- Supporting key customers, such as John Deere, Caterpillar and Volvo Trucks, in the development of new technologies and market solutions for metal protection;

- Project management for formula and process improvements, as well as raw materials replacement;

- Responsible for the regional testing department for OEM performance approvals.

Industrial Liquid Coatings Development:

- Product development of solvent-borne coatings for General Finishes and Appliances application and the HDE Market, including high-temperature polyester/melamine and acrylic/melamine, 2K urethanes and epoxy products;

- Experience with electrostatic, Bell, Spraymation and Airless application systems;

- Project management for formula improvements;
- Innovative development of specific products lines focused on customer needs;

- Management and supervision of technicians’ activities;
- Development of a method for reducing raw material complexity;

- In-company training in the United States (7 weeks);

- Supported the Industrial lab in Oak Creek-WI on-site with alkyd dip coating for shelf-life improvement, as well with performance tests (3 months).

Industrial Liquid Coatings Development:
- Development of solvent-borne coatings;
- Chemical knowledge of coating compounds and their interactions in forming the cured film;
- Production assistance with nonconforming product corrections;
- Root cause analysis and corrective actions for nonconforming products and processes;
- Performance evaluation of new and existing products;
- Evaluation of new materials and suppliers;
- Assessment of outsourced processes for the agricultural industry.

- Enhanced product quality by developing and optimizing chemical processes and procedures.