Akzo Nobel

Akzo Nobel has a long history of growth. Many different companies were integrated keeping their culture and technical excellence in the new formations. The primary companies which formed Akzo are Det Holmblaske founded in 1777, Sikkens and Bemerg founded in 1792. During the years two large companies formed from many smaller ones named Koninklijke Zout Organon and Algemene Kunstzijde Unie (AKU) merged and formed Akzo. Again after the merger of many companies Nobel Industries was founded in 1984 and in 1994 Akzo Nobel was formed after the acquisition of the Noble shares

Nowadays Akzo Nobel is a group of many companies with different activities like health care coatings and chemicals. It is a market driven and technology based company conducting its diversified activities through business units which report to the board of management. In Akzo people are the most important resource and leadership, individual accountability and teamwork are fostered. They have several commitments and business principles to which they stick during their growth and which help them to operate in the complex changing global environment.

During the last years the human health care activities of the company are in a period of declining sales. That's why costs base was lowered and the organization is pushed to further adjustments. The plans for the future are to invest in Research and Development and in-licensing in areas where markets are strong.

After the integration of Diosynth it's now used as a niche player in the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients. This integration will help to combine existing biotechnology competencies and reduce the complexity of the organization.

The coating business of Akzo is the world leader. The tendency is to emerge markets of Asia, East and Central Europe and South and Central America through autonomous development and acquisitions. The ambition of the organization is to remain the market leader and to participate in the consolidation of the coatings industry.

In their chemical industry Akzo has a wide spread of activities. They have good leadership positions and several smaller market penetrations.

Due to restructure and selective divestments the company is trying to improve its performance as well as focusing on fewer activities in order to concentrate on markets where it has leadership positions. The leading guideline is to focus on profitable growth in market