Norcross, Georgia — June 25, 2014 — AkzoNobel is moving its North American auto and aerospace headquarters much closer to Canada. The company recently announced the relocation of its Automotive & Aerospace Coatings (A&AC) Vehicle Refinishes North American headquarters from Norcross, Georgia to Troy, Michigan. Preparations for the move are currently underway, with an anticipated completion date of March 2015.
AkzoNobel has a long history and deep presence in the greater Detroit market with laboratories, training facilities and manufacturing for A&AC as well as having several other businesses represented in the area. This most current relocation action will bring approximately 60 new positions to the Troy facility located at 1845 Maxwell Street.
A statement from AkzoNobel says the choice for the relocation is in line with the global strategic initiative of the company to bring an ever increasing focus to all facets of the business that will aid in improving operational excellence. For A&AC Vehicle Refinishes, the goal is to create a concentration of force in the North American vehicle refinishes market. This move represents the most recent investment in a larger plan that has been underway for several years.
The Troy laboratory, designated as a Center of Excellence, is one of seven strategic R&D sites for the entire AkzoNobel Corporation. In addition to a key global R&D laboratory, the site is also one of two AkzoNobel Global Color Centers serving the Vehicle Refinishes business across the globe. Beyond the Troy lab facilities, AkzoNobel has also stepped up investment in manufacturing capability in Michigan. The Pontiac manufacturing site has undergone multiple expansions to accommodate constant growth. It is the production facility for the North American Vehicle Refinishes business and is the sole production facility for all A&AC waterborne technology in North America. The relocation of the Vehicle Refinishes Headquarters to Troy marks a continuation of this strategy of investment and concentration.
“Detroit and the surrounding areas represent the historical heart of the North American automotive industry,†noted Doug Holmberg, A&AC Director of North American Vehicle Refinishes. “Our labs and manufacturing facilities are currently located in Troy and Pontiac respectively. Locating the functional teams and regional leadership in the same geographical proximity creates a more productive, collaborative and aligned team. In addition, with greater critical mass in one area, we also see increased opportunities overall for employees and organizational development. This investment is a clear statement regarding our commitment to the greater Detroit community, the state of Michigan and the North American collision repair market. â€
