Paint and coatings company, AkzoNobel, has planned to construct a manufacturing plant in the UK.
The Decorative Paints site will be located in the north-eastern part of England within a distance of 25 miles from the company’s existing Prudhoe site.
The new site would enable AkzoNobel to reduce its working capital for operations and increase the efficiency of its supply chain operations. It would also help the company to accelerate sustainable growth and respond more quickly to customer demands and the changing market. The company has allocated around €110 million for the Decorative Paints site.
The site will make use of innovative technologies and reduce its energy consumption by 60%. It will recycle and reuse both waste and water.
Within a period of three-and-a-half years, AkzoNobel proposes to close the manufacturing operations in Slough and the site in Prudhoe. It plans to retain Slough as headquarters for its global research, development and marketing operations, and also for its Decorative Paints business in the UK.
The company proposes to consult with its employees before making its final decision. The new project would involve relocation possibilities for interested employees with the necessary skill-sets.
AkzoNobel’s 2010 revenue was €798 million, and it employs 4,050 people. The company has 131 employees in its Slough manufacturing unit and 89 at its Prudhoe site.