AkzoNobel CEO Ton Büchner Steps
Down with Immediate Effect
AkzoNobelannouncedthatchief executive Ton Büchner steps down with immediate effect
due to health reasons. The company
has announced Thierry Vanlancker as
the new CEO.
Büchner joined AkzoNobel in 2012
and has been responsible for significantly
improving the performance of the company, increasing profitability and cash flow
to record levels.
He put in place a
solid operational and
financial foundation,
which enabled the
company to recently
announce the creation of two focused
high performing
businesses; Paints
and Coatings and
Specialty Chemicals.
Vanlancker was most recently head of
Specialty Chemicals at AkzoNobel, having
joined the company in 2016. A Belgian national, prior to joining AkzoNobel he was
president - Fluoroproducts for Chemours,
the spin-off company of DuPont’s chemical businesses formed in 2015.
Antony Burgmans, chairman of the
Supervisory Board, commented:
“It is with great regret that Ton is
stepping down due to health reasons.
He has been an outstanding leader for
AkzoNobel, transforming the company
and setting it up for future success. His
focus on delivering for our customers and
operational excellence has driven profit-
ability to record levels, increasing returns
to shareholders.
‘’His passion for the business and personal commitment has helped create a
strong culture across the company. He will
be greatly missed in the Boardroom and
by many colleagues of AkzoNobel around
the world. I wish Ton well and hope he is
now able to focus fully on his own health.
‘’AkzoNobel remains focused on delivering for our customers every day.
In Thierry Vanlancker we have an outstanding executive who is well placed to
continue building
momentum for the
company. This includes the creation
of two focused businesses, delivering
sustainable growth
and profitability.
“His extensive
experience in the
chemicals and coat-
ings industry gives
him a unique perspective and I look for-
ward to continuing to work with him in
his new role as CEO.”
Ton Büchner, commented:
“It was a privilege to work for
AkzoNobel and I am extremely proud
of all the achievements the team deliv-
ered during my five years at the company.
AkzoNobel is full of highly engaged, tal-
ented and passionate people who deliver
every day for our customers and I want
to thank all of them for their contribu-
tion and support over the years. Our
commitment to value creation, sustain-
ability, innovation and the communities
in which we operate is a major driver of
our success.”
“Thierry Vanlancker is a great addi-
tion to the team and is well placed to take
AkzoNobel forward, delivering long term
value creation for all stakeholders. I wish
Thierry all the best,” he continued. “For
me this was an extraordinarily difficult
decision to make but my focus must now
be on my health.”
Thierry joined DuPont in 1988 and
held a number of senior positions both in
Europe and the U.S., including vice presi-
dent Performance Coatings and busi-
ness manager of Refinish Systems across
Europe, Middle East and Africa.
A successor for the Head of Specialty
Chemicals will be announced in due
course. CW
Index to Companies
This index gives the starting page for a department or feature with a significant reference to a manufacturer of paint, coatings, adhesives and sealants
Subsidiaries are indexed under their own names.
AkzoNobel ............................................................................................8, 10, 32
Axalta Coating Systems .................................................................................. 10
Behr ............................................................................................................... 21
Hempel .............................................................................................. 10, 21, 32
Henkel .......................................................................................................... 10
PPG...................................................................................................... 10, 32, 82
Sherwin-Williams .......................................................................................... 10
Sika ................................................................................................................ 10
Ton Büchner
Thierry Vanlancker
