AkzoNobel has announced its intention to close its manufacturing sites in Wapenveld (Netherlands) and Machelen (Belgium) and consolidate production at the company’s other locations in the region.
The intended closures are part of the company’s multi-year industrial transformation programme.
The news follows last year’s announcements regarding three manufacturing sites located in Europe and Africa, and the more recent streamlining plans for Montataire in France.
AkzoNobel’s industrial transformation is designed to improve operations and reduce complexity.
The company says that by focusing on anchor sites that offer greater scale and improved efficiencies, it will lower operating costs and optimise its industrial network, enhance competitiveness and drive sustainable growth.
Future innovation
AkzoNobel will focus capital allocation on its anchor sites, which will the company says will also enable future innovation.
AkzoNobel has recently carried out equipment and process upgrades at its aerospace coatings site in Pamiers, France, and developed new research labs in Sassenheim, the Netherlands.
All relevant parties have been informed about the intended closures of Wapenveld and Machelen.
The closures are subject to consultation with local employee representatives.
The Wapenveld site opened more than 100 years’ ago. According to reports, more than 130 people work at the Machelen site.
In 2024, AkzoNobel announced it was cutting 2,000 jobs worldwide.
