introduction of information technology across the company's functions: R&D, production, finance. The rationalisation and integration of the formulation and colour inventory into a systemic platform fit for a variety of tinting equipment responded to the increasing demand for diversified product and colour ranges (Isofan, BSB, Extralucido, Isoakryl and RS systems). The 1990s: the facilities in Foligno, water-based paints, European offices In the 1990s a new production site was opened in Foligno, central Italy, initially for the production of home decoration and construction products and later expanded to include modern units for water-based products. In these years the company began to expand abroad: first into Europe with the opening of offices in the UK, France, Spain and Germany, then into the rest of the world with the establishment of a distributors’ network. Product R&D was boosted and the company launched new environmentally friendly automotive refinish product lines (Hydrofan and Macrofan) and sophisticated multipurpose systems for industrial and decorative applications (Lechsys and DAC). Recent years In the 2000s (decade) the Company changed into a joint-stock company run by a strong management team that reorganised the business around four core areas: Refinish, Industry (Lechler Tech), Decorative (Chrèon), Yachting (with the acquisition of the Stoppani brand) and Habitat (with the acquisition of the IVE brand). Since the 1990s Lechler has been working with ASI, the Historic Car and Motorcycle Club of Italy, on the research, preservation and standardisation of colour and painting cycle schemes for the restoration of vintage cars and motorcycles. These joint efforts have led to the creation of the Lechler-ASI Official Registry of Historic Motorcycle Colours, that stores information about the colours used by motorcycle manufacturers organised by make, model and year of manufacturing. Lechler also works with artists Fabrizio Musa, Mariko Mori, Marco Della Torre and Raymundo Sesma to find paint solutions that meet their needs. Notes Bibliography Gianfranco Brenni (a cura di), Fabbriche di vernici e memorie storiche, Sviluppo chimica S.p.A., Milano 1995. Paul Gehring, Paul Lechler. Großkaufmann und Fabrikant, Sozialreformer, Gründer des deutschen Instituts für ärztliche Mission, 1849–1925 in Max Miller, Robert Uhland (Hg.), Schwäbische Lebensbilder, Bd. 6, Stuttgart, 1957, 401–428. Elke Elizabeth Hamacher, Paul Lechler und die Wohnungsfrage um 1900, Zeitschrift fur Unternehmensgeschichte, Beiheft 31, Wiesbaden, Franz Steiner Verlag, 1984. Akzo Lesonal 125 Jahre Lack-Ideen. 1858–1983. Fortschritt hat Tradition, Feuerbach, 1983. Agop Manoukian, Lechler. Storia e racconti di un marchio – Vol. 1: Vernici e Smalti dal