BASF Coatings has partnered with the SAPE Group to strengthen its presence in the automotive refinish market across the Melbourne region

BASF Coatings has entered into a strategic distribution partnership with the SAPE Group, a leading supplier of automotive collision repair equipment and consumables in Australia. Under the agreement, SAPE will gain the rights to distribute BASF Coatings’ automotive refinish brands, including Glasurit® and baslac®, within BASF’s direct distribution territory in Melbourne, effective December 1, 2025.

The agreement also entails the transfer of employees and assets, including BASF Coatings’ Automotive Refinish Technology (ART) distribution centre in Dandenong South, to SAPE. Following the transition of ART operations, customers will continue to receive the same high level of support—further enhanced by SAPE’s extensive national resources and logistics network.

“This partnership is another exciting step in SAPE Group’s strategic growth across Melbourne and regional hubs in Victoria,” said Paul McMartin, Director of the SAPE Group. “With BASF Coatings’ ART facility now part of the SAPE family, we are even better equipped to deliver fast, reliable service and expert technical support to customers in the Melbourne CBD and beyond. We’re proud to welcome the team and customers into the SAPE network.”

“Our partnership brings together our key strengths: BASF Coatings’ globally recognised high-quality refinish solutions and SAPE’s deep market knowledge and technical expertise. We are excited to capture new opportunities and grow alongside the refinish value chain in Melbourne,” said John Ta, Managing Director, BASF Coatings Australia.

SAPE has been a trusted distribution partner of BASF Coatings for over 40 years, serving automotive refinish customers along Australia’s Eastern Seaboard. This expanded partnership highlights both companies’ shared commitment to business growth through strong, customer-centric collaboration and their continued dedication to delivering premium refinish solutions to the Australian collision repair industry.

Source: BASF