A major leadership transition is taking place at the helm of one of the world’s leading collision repair paint suppliers. BASF Coatings has announced that Steve Arndt will succeed Chris Titmarsh as Senior Vice President, Global Automotive Refinish Coatings, effective since July 1st. 

This strategic appointment is set to drive the chemical giant’s commercial strategy and distribution network for body shops worldwide.

Chris Titmarsh has decided to step down after a distinguished 20-year career with BASF, eleven of which he spent in the Refinish division. He served as Senior Vice President in Refinish for more than six years, first leading the EMEA business and subsequently the global organization. During his tenure, he significantly advanced the business’s customer focus, innovation agenda, and global collaboration across key automotive repair markets worldwide.

The incoming executive brings an impressive track record that connects deeply with both repair facilities and jobbers. Arndt brings more than 30 years of automotive refinish industry experience spanning both manufacturing and distribution across North America and Europe. He spent six years at Axalta Coating Systems as Global Distribution Sales Director, where he was responsible for distribution strategy across more than 140 countries. Prior to that, he served as President and COO of FinishMaster, the leading independent automotive refinish distributor in North America.

“We thank Chris wholeheartedly for his strong commitment to our customers and our business at BASF Coatings. We wish him well in the future,” said Uta Holzenkamp, President of BASF Coatings. “Steve brings a rare combination of manufacturing and distribution experience at the highest level of this industry. We are delighted to welcome him to the team.”

The new division head is focused on leveraging the brand’s core strengths to meet the evolving demands of the collision repair market. “I have a deep appreciation for the strengths of this business,” Arndt said. “The technology is world-class, and the company has built strong, enduring customer relationships. There is a lot we can achieve together.”