Büchner: AkzoNobel has structurally improved its ability to respond to developments in its markets and is taking appropriate
measures to deal with higher raw material prices in an inflationary environment. This stronger operational and financial foundation means AkzoNobel is more agile and better able to seize
growth opportunities, including acquisitions. We maintain our
financial guidance for 2016-2018.
Falder: We operate as a speciality business and we have a big
focus through 2017 and beyond on the development and training of the next generation coming through our company. We
are only ever as good as the people we’ve got and the results of
the product we supply to our customers. The building of solid
foundations in well trained staff is utterly vital to HMG. These
strategies are not new for HMG and are constants throughout
our history. I personally am chairman of the members board
of our local Academy secondary schools and on the board of
Cogent skills attracting young talent into the science sector.
Gläser: Manufacturing technologies are changing at an unprecedented rate, new materials
are opening up completely new horizons and ever advancing
digitalization will fundamentally change the working environment and global industrial landscape in the coming years.
Staying abreast of such changes, however heterogeneous they
may be in individual markets, by consistently introducing
change processes at an early stage will be decisive for the
future success of the paint manufacturer. We see ourselves
as a global niche supplier with clearly defined business segments. Early recognition of market trends and their prompt
operational implementation has always been part of our business model. This strength is based on fast decision making
processes and to some extent unconventional decisions based
on experience and sound judgement.
Gorella: The raw material costs that are creeping upwards and
the uncertainty of developments in some emerging countries
such as China may continue to be a challenge. We will work
together with our suppliers and customers with the aim of minimizing the impact this has, and we are confident of compensating for mature markets with the expansion in growth areas while
continuing our regional expansion. This is one of our strengths:
Beckers is a truly global, very flexible mid-sized company and
thus well equipped to react quickly. We will further focus on
the needs of our customers by offering individual solutions and
continuing to deliver innovative products.
Kamieth: Our growth plan for the future focuses on leveraging our technology leadership and innovative power, as well as
growing with solutions beyond paint: With the acquisition of
Chemetall, we strengthen our position in the attractive Surface
Treatment market and gain access to new industry segments and
customers. Furthermore, we will strengthen our collaborations
with OEMs and will support them with products and services.
McGarry: We’re accelerating our efforts to develop and commercialize new customer-driven technologies. If you look at our
recent track record, we’ve been successful at introducing leading
technologies in automotive OEM, packaging, automotive refinish and aerospace. We’ve also enhanced our consumer-facing
branding strategies and focus on the PPG brand.
We also will continue to make high-quality acquisitions of
all sizes as assets become available at economically viable prices
that help us maintain our attractive return on capital profile in
all economic and interest rate conditions.
Shaver: We’ll continue our two pronged approach to growth.
First, we will focus on organic growth by winning new customers in our core end markets. Second, we will continue our inorganic growth strategy by looking for attractive businesses that
can add new products, customers and technologies. Backing
both prongs, we will continue to build on our strong Technology
and R&D organization to keep ahead of the market with new
and improved products.
CW: In what areas are you focusing your
R&D efforts?
Andersen: In short, innovation and costumer focus. We are innovatively leading in high-tech chemistry, in terms of service
and advising, in business models and not least in our interaction
with customers and business partners.
Innovation starts with the customer. We form value-adding
partnerships with our customers. Together, we develop the
unique products that they demand and need, and we work –
together – to beat their competitors in the challenging markets
they operate in.
Our R&D also teams up in partnerships with suppliers, research teams, universities and other institutes across the world.
By thinking and cooperating globally, we gain access to important knowledge that we can transform into value.
Büchner: In 2016, we continued to invest to support growth,
with new plants and research facilities in the US, UK, China
and India. Throughout the year we introduced more innovative
new products, advanced our digital agenda and made significant
steps in sustainability with higher levels of revenue from our eco
premium solutions.
Falder: High performance coatings with a big emphasis on
environmental technologies. Functional systems that enhance
and improve our customers product. We are nothing without
our customers and our aim is to produce product that enable
them to add value. Colour styling and haptic effect coatings
are increasingly important to our automotive OEM partners.
We are privileged to work with some great automotive companies and share in their vision of the future. Really hard
questions and really difficult requests bring about the very
best in innovation.
