Akzo Nobel Inks announces the investment approval of its new 22,000 square foot, fully automated UV manufacturing facility in Plymouth, MN. This state of the art, facility will be up and running by January 2003, tying the manufacture of both water-based and UV curable products more closely with Akzo Nobel Inks’ R&D and Center for Technical Excellence (CTE).
    
By bringing UV manufacturing to Plymouth, Akzo Nobel Inks will enjoy increased capacity to support its growing UV business. This investment strengthens its position in producing the highest quality inks consistently on time. Customers will reap the benefits from the triangle formed by Akzo Nobel Inks’ fully automated ink production, R&D, and the testing advantages of the CTE, with its state-of-the-art six-color combination press. Akzo Nobel Inks will maintain its facility in Pennsylvania as a regional service center, continuing its prime focus on sales, service and product support for customers on the East Coast.
    
Hank Malone, Akzo Nobel Inks’ vice president of sales and marketing, said, “I am very excited about our investment in this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, as it further strengthens our leadership position in the narrow web marketplace and supports our long-term strategy of bringing excellent products to support the needs of our customers in a growing market segment.”
    
“This change will re-confirm our leading role in the narrow web industry, and provides us with a new improved platform for future evolution toward the integration of technology and supply between ourselves and our customers,” said Dave Hiserodt, president, Akzo Nobel Inks.