AkzoNobel Announces New Management Structure

Akzo Nobel has announced a new management structure for its Paints and Coatings business in advance of creating two focused high-performing businesses – Paints and Coatings and Specialty Chemicals.

This announcement follows the recently communicated changes to the Executive Committee, including the appointment of Ruud Joosten as Chief Operating Officer and David Allen as Chief Supply Chain Officer.

Four business units in each case

The new, fully integrated, management structure will be based on four regional Paints business units and four integrated Coatings business units with full profit and loss responsibility. In addition, the company is implementing a range of measures to mitigate current market challenges. These challenges include unfavorable foreign exchange rates, continued headwinds for the Marine and Protective Coatings industry, temporary disruption to the manufacturing and supply chain during the third quarter and current margin pressure from greater than expected raw material cost inflation.

Separation of Specialty Chemicals on track

The separation of Specialty Chemicals remains on track for April 2018. The new management structure and additional measures are being implemented to ensure ongoing delivery of the Akzo Nobel 2020 financial guidance, as announced in April 2017 (15% Return on Sales and >25% Return on Investment for Paints and Coatings). Steps already taken, including increased selling prices and additional cost control measures, are expected to enable Akzo Nobel to deliver EBIT for 2017 higher than 2016 although by less than the previously communicated increase of EUR100 million.

Thierry Vanlancker, CEO Akzo Nobel said:

"Current challenges in the paints and coatings markets are having a wider and greater impact as the year continues and we are dealing with these head-on. The organisation changes we are making will pave the way for the creation of two focused businesses. These changes will help us deliver a stronger 2017 than 2016, despite dealing with current market challenges, and help to ensure we achieve our 2020 financial guidance."