AkzoNobel is investing in the future by utilizing advanced technologies to create step-change improvements in its North American industrial operations with the addition of a pilot manufacturing plant in Huron, Ohio, and a new regional research and development center in High Point, North Carolina.

“We are capitalizing on data analytics to transform our manufacturing processes and enabling the flow of information from the laboratory to the factory floor to our customers, generating agility to changes in the marketplace and meeting customer needs,” says John Griffin, North America regional director. “The new research and development center serves our wood coatings business and brings together teams of researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds to create new solutions for our customers and immediately send them to the manufacturing production plant.”

Huron’s new pilot plant is one in a network of pilot plants globally and supports the AkzoNobel packaging, marine and automotive businesses. The state of Ohio serves as AkzoNobel’s largest footprint in North America, with locations in Huron, Strongsville, Springfield and Columbus.

The company’s community of North America research and development centers supporting the performance coatings businesses includes—in addition to High Point—laboratories in: Troy, Michigan; Strongsville, Ohio; Houston, Texas; Flying Hills, Pennsylvania: and Lancaster, South Carolina. AkzoNobel’s research and development centers are transforming the company’s investment in science and technology while giving customers direct access to sustainable product development.