DUTCH PAINT MANUFACTURER, AKZONOBEL ADOPTS FRESH STRATEGY TO GROW THE PAINTS AND COATINGS BUSINESS IN THE EAST AFRICA MARKET

AkzoNobel, owner of Sadolin paint brand strategically places itself to grow in the East Africa market

AkzoNobel, a leading paints and coatings company recently announced its commitment to the East Africa market and the continuation of its Decorative brand, Sadolin, a household paint brand in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Following the announced acquisition of its AkzoNobel Paints Licensee, Sadolin Paints East Africa Limited, by its competitor Kansai Plascon, the decision was taken to issue notice of cancellation to the licensee.

Additionally with the successful global acquisition of an industrial coatings business in 2016, AkzoNobel adopts a new approach in its strategy to grow the paints and coatings business in the East Africa market

Johann Smidt, Director for AkzoNobel Decorative Paints in Sub-Saharan Africa said, “East Africa is an important part of the Sub-Saharan Africa business for Decorative Paints. It is a dynamic market that has seen many changes in the last few years and is showing potential for growth and innovation. The Decorative Paints business has not formed a legal entity to sell and distribute Sadolin in East Africa. We are currently in the final stages of signing a sales, manufacturing and distribution agreement with a local partner which further solidifies our commitment to the region. With this agreement, we hope to invest in manufacturing plants which will result in jobs created and will in turn stimulate the economy in East Africa.”

Baron Schreuder, Director Performance Coatings Africa added “The recent acquisition of an Industrial Coatings has given us a great platform to build our Performance Coatings business in East Africa, allowing us the opportunity to offer essential solutions to our customers. The acquisition brought with it new legal entities for Performance Coatings in Uganda and Kenya, from which we can better serve our local and global customers in the East African communities.”

AkzoNobel is one of the largest paint and coatings manufacturers in the world with a portfolio that includes well-known brands such as Dulux and International. AkzoNobel organizes all global activities into three businesses, Decorative Paints, Performance Coatings and Specialty Chemicals. The three businesses share the same core business principles but are managed separately with distinct strategies.

AkzoNobel creates everyday essentials that make people’s lives more liveable and inspiring. The company has a rich history that spans over 600 years with origins that can be traced back to 1646. AkzoNobel is present in more than 80 countries and employs 46,000 people worldwide.

The combination of strong heritage and sustainable innovation is still at the heart of the business today and continues to advance AkzoNobel’s growth.

About AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel creates everyday essentials to make people’s lives more liveable and inspiring. As a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, we supply essential ingredients, essential protection and essential color to industries and consumers worldwide. Backed by a pioneering heritage, our innovative products and sustainable technologies are designed to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing planet, while making life easier. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we have approximately 46,000 people in around 80 countries, while our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka. Consistently ranked as a leader in sustainability, we are dedicated to energizing cities and communities while creating a protected, colorful world where life is improved by what we do.

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Contact: Kirby Assam

T: +27 (0) 64 755 9508                 

E: kirby.assam@akzonobel.com