Company Profile
AkzoNobel
Company Overview
AkzoNobel is a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, with leading market positions and brands in countries around the world. We operate in a number of important market segments ranging from buildings and infrastructure to transport, industrial and consumer goods. We’re also the sector leader in sustainability and are number one in the renowned Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In practical terms, that means our sustainable solutions are in your lives, and those of your friends and family, every day. We’re the people that make it possible for you to do what you need to do.
Company History
AkzoNobel has a long and distinguished history. Since our inception in 1646 we’ve constantly delivered technical and product innovation. For example, in the 19th century we pioneered industrial-scale chemical manufacture. More recently we’ve led the way with high-tech coatings and artificial fibers.
Here are some more of the highlights over the years:
1646: Bofors forge is founded in Sweden.
1777: Det Holmbladske Selskab, now Sadolin, is founded in Denmark.
1792: Painter and decorator Wiert Willem Sikkens starts making Sikkens lacquers in the Dutch town of Groningen.
1871: KemaNobel is established in Sweden. More than a hundred years later, in 1984, KemaNobel will merge with Bofors to form Nobel Industries, which will in turn be acquired by Akzo in 1994.
1895: Alfred Nobel (the man behind the Nobel Prize) founds Elektrokemiska Aktiebolaget – known as Eka – in Bengtsfors, Sweden. Today Eka Chemicals is part of AkzoNobel's Pulp and Performance Chemicals business.
1918: Koninklijke Nederlandse Zoutindustrie (KZO) kick-starts the Dutch salt industry in response to salt shortages during World War I.
1923: Saal van Zwanenberg establishes Organon to produce insulin from the pancreases of animals.
1968: UK man-made fiber company Courtaulds acquires International Paints.
1969: Algemeene Kunstzijde Unie NV (AKU) merges with Koninklijke Zwanenberg Organon (KZO) to form AKZO.
1994: Akzo and Nobel Industries merge to form AkzoNobel.
1998: AkzoNobel acquires UK company Courtaulds. Their products include high-tech industrial coatings and man-made fibers such as Courtelle and Tencel.
2007: AkzoNobel sells Organon BioSciences NV to Schering-Plough Corporation.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
Our recently launched Human Cities initiative highlights our commitment to improving, energizing and regenerating urban communities across the world.
We think cities across the world should be focusing on a number of key issues in order to create more "human" urban environments, including color, heritage, transport, sport and education, and sustainability.
100 Resilient Cities
In September 2014, we reinforced our position as a key player in the area of urban resilience and regeneration by making a commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative. This commitment established a partnership with 100 Resilient Cities – pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation.
Benefits
At AkzoNobel, we believe we can only grow our business as fast as we grow our people.
That’s why we’re committed to investing in your future. Join us and we’ll work with you to develop your talents so that your ideas can go far.
As soon as you become part of our diverse community, we’ll help you get up to speed and hit the ground running with an onboarding program tailored to your needs.
And as your career progresses, we’ll help you accelerate your development and make the most of the opportunities on offer in our multinational business. How? With an extensive talent management program that focuses on career guidance, opportunities for mentoring, and extensive training via the AkzoNobel Academy.
Combined with a competitive compensation and benefits package and a flexible approach to working, we offer an environment that will challenge and fulfill you both today and tomorrow.
So if you think you’ve got what it takes and want to develop your talents, we can’t wait to see you here at AkzoNobel – and help you take your ideas to the world.