AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Nov. 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
November 21, 2013 AkzoNobel today announced plans to optimize the manufacturing footprint of its Coil Coatings sites in Europe and Russia by concentrating production at three strategic sites. The company intends to improve operational performance by focusing all European manufacturing for the Coil Coatings business on plants in Malmö (Sweden), Lipetsk (Russia) and Hilden (Germany). As a result of these plans, production at sites in Gamleby (Sweden) and Nürnberg (Germany) would end by June 2015. "By focusing production on strategic sites that are close to our customers and manufacture products for more than one business, we will create a more efficient footprint and establish a more sustainable platform for future growth," said Conrad Keijzer, AkzoNobel's Executive Committee member responsible for Performance Coatings. The transfer is scheduled to start in early 2014. Current manufacturing at Gamleby will move to Malmö and Lipetsk, while production at Nürnberg will switch to Hilden. Around 280 employees will be affected, with the company planning to transfer and hire additional people in Hilden, Malmö and Lipetsk. A centralized European development centre will also be set up in Malmö. "Operational excellence is a key priority and moving production to three strategic sites is a logical step which will ensure that we are better positioned to deliver leading performance and accelerate profitable growth," added AB Ghosh, Managing Director of AkzoNobel Industrial Coatings. "These improvements in our supply chain will also enable us to respond even faster to our customers." AkzoNobel is a global leader in coil coating, which is a continuous and highly automated process for coating metal before fabrication. The products are mainly used for building components and infrastructure, as well as for consumer goods such as kitchen appliances. Employees have been informed about the company's plans and discussions with the relevant works councils are already underway. --- AkzoNobel is a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals. We supply industries and consumers worldwide with innovative products and are passionate about developing sustainable answers for our customers. Our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International and Eka. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we are consistently ranked as one of the leaders in the area of sustainability. With operations in more than 80 countries, our 50,000 people around the world are committed to delivering leading products and technologies to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing world. Not for publication - for more information Corporate Media Relations Corporate Investor Relations T +31 20 502 7833 T +31 20 502 7854 Contact: Kirstin Steffen Contacts: Jonathan Atack, Sheryl Stokes Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains statements which address key issues such as AkzoNobel's growth strategy, future financial results, market positions, product development, products in the pipeline and product approvals. Such statements should be carefully considered, and it should be understood that many factors could cause forecasted and actual results to differ from these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, developments in raw material and personnel costs, pensions, physical and environmental risks, legal issues, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by information provided by specialized external agencies. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risk factors affecting our business please see our latest annual report, a copy of which can be found on our website www.akzonobel.com AkzoNobel Press Release: http://hugin.info/130660/R/1744954/587218.pdf [HUG#1744954]
