Whitford Acquires Akzo Nobel Non Stick Coatings LLC on a Worldwide Basis

Elverson, PA, March 09, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Whitford Worldwide and Akzo Nobel today announced that the Akzo Nobel Non Stick Coatings LLC division (ANNS) has been purchased by Whitford and the two companies have already begun to integrate, a process that is expected to take a few months to complete.

Whitford and ANNS have had remarkably similar histories. ANNS, originally as Coatings and Chemicals Company (C&CC), was purchased by Kanti Gandhi and a partner in the 1980s and dedicated itself to the fluoropolymer and high-temperature bakeware market, later moving into nonstick coatings for cookware and small appliances. ANNS was formed in 1998 when Akzo Nobel’s Italian business was merged into C&CC, then headquartered in Chicago. Mr. Gandhi and his family managed the new company for several years before moving on to other opportunities.

Whitford was founded in 1969 as the outgrowth of a compounder of solid PTFE materials. Whitford has dedicated itself to nonstick coatings for both industrial and consumer markets, with its corporate headquarters in Pennsylvania. Whitford’s first venture into the international market took place in 1971 with the opening of Whitford Plastics Ltd. in the north of England.

Both companies grew over time to have a worldwide presence, focusing primarily on the nonstick coating market.

“This merger is a particularly good match” said Whitford president David P. Willis, Jr. “We are both in the same business, but with strengths in different geographical markets. Our products are similar, but nevertheless have significant differences that make many of them unique. ANNS’s best people offer backgrounds that complement rather than duplicate those of our people. We could not be happier.” Said Leif Darner, AkzoNobel board member responsible for Performance Coatings, “Our nonstick coatings operation does not have the scale for it to become a true market leader globally. In the hands of the new owners, however, it offers good growth opportunities and we are convinced our employees are joining an ambitious and successful company.”

Both companies made it clear that there will be no changes in the product mix. All ANNS and Whitford products will continue to be manufactured and offered to customers around the world. ANNS products will be tolled in their present facilities for some time until they are slowly phased into Whitford facilities, with the prime objective of maintaining the same quality and on-time delivery of product. ANNS trade names are part of the purchase, and will become part of Whitford’s portfolio. Product designation codes will be maintained to prevent confusion.

Added Mr. Willis: “We are convinced that combining these two companies will provide additional strength, experience and efficiency to the merged entity, which should be beneficial to Whitford’s and ANNS’ customers who are, after all, the ones who matter most.”

For additional information, please contact David P. Willis, Jr., President of Whitford.

Whitford, a privately held company, has manufacturing facilities in 8 countries, offices in 8 more, and agents in an additional 25. Whitford manufactures the largest, most complete line of fluoropolymer coatings in the world. To visit Whitford on the web: whitfordww.com.

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