AkzoNobel building more competitive Deco business
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
October 2, 2013
AkzoNobel intends to introduce a streamlined management structure and new
operating model for its Decorative Paints business in order to accelerate
profitable growth in Europe and the high growth markets.
The planned changes represent the critical next phase in simplifying the
organization and making it more agile and competitive following the recent
divestment of the Decorative Paints North America business.
"We divested our North American activities to focus on key markets in Europe and
the world's high growth regions and this intended reorganization of our
management set-up and operating model is a major step towards reducing
complexity and making us stronger," explained Ruud Joosten the company's
Executive Committee member responsible for Decorative Paints.
"Our intention is to put in place a structure which fits our strategic ambitions
for the business and will help propel us towards achieving a level of profitable
growth in line with our 2015 targets."
The planned changes - due to come into effect on January 1, 2014 - involve
reducing the number of senior management teams and introducing a new top level
Deco structure divided into five regions instead of eight: North and Central
Europe, South East Europe and Africa, India and South East Asia, Latin America,
China and North Asia.
A number of key global functions will also be centralized, including human
resources, research and development, supply chain, finance, sourcing and
information management. This will free up the country organizations to focus
more keenly on sales and marketing and help forge closer links with customers
and markets. It will also bring about significant cost savings and efficiency
benefits.
"We need to create a leaner organization and we are confident that the proposed
new structure will provide a springboard for us to further build on our
leadership positions across all our markets," continued Joosten. "In addition,
streamlining the organization will also make us better equipped to build our
brands, increase market penetration and become more competitive."
The intended changes involve a number of potential relocations and discussions
are currently underway with the relevant works councils.
- - -
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.
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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
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Source: Akzo Nobel NV via Thomson Reuters ONE
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Datum: 02.10.2013 - 08:01 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 302034
Anzahl Zeichen: 5313
contact information:
Town:
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Kategorie:
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