The Dutch coatings giant has made a multi-million dollar investment in transforming its wood coatings facility in High Point, North Carolina, into a best-in-class manufacturing site – with a view to strengthening the company's market position in the US.

Manufacturing operations at the site will be reorganised as part of the transformation, whilst an automatic dosing unit technology to produce paint more efficiently will also be introduced to the site. A new raw materials warehouse, research lab and technical application centre are also being built. Construction is set to begin in April 2019, with rolling projects expected to be completed by 2020.          

“This is a significant investment, which will further enable us to meet and exceed our customers' expectations," said Akzo Nobel CEO Thierry Vanlancker. “The US is a key market for our wood coatings business, and our customers trust us to deliver world-class products and services.

“Investing in High Point will increase our comprehensive North American supply capability for wood finishes, which also includes our plants in Roanoke, Virginia; Salem, Oregon; Warwick, Quebec; and Port Hope, Ontario. It will enable us to remain ahead of market trends, so we can continue to provide the visionary service our customers have come to expect - and it will solidify our position as a frontrunner in the wood coatings industry.”