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Sikkens Group supplies every type of
paint
Sikkens has specialized in the production of high-quality lacquers for
professional handlers for many years. But there was also a demand for
other types of paint. This is why Sikkens decided during the fifties
and sixties to take over several well known factories. Alpha wall paints,
Flexa DIY paints, Smits' nautical and construction paints and Cetabever
stains completed the Sikkens offering. Several production units were
also opened abroad: Sikkens Fama in Belgium, Condorverken in Sweden,
Sikkens SpA in Italy and Sikkens Lackfabriken GmbH in Germany assured
foreign customers of rapid delivery. The entirety (plus several raw material
factories like Synthese) were accommodated in the Sikkens Group holding
company.
Via KZK and KZO to Akzo
Increase in scale was the fashionable term in the seventies. Sikkens
was at the forefront of this. In 1962 the Sikkens Group affiliated with
the Koninklijke Zout chain, the chemical alliance that had been created
the year before. In 1965 KZK merged with Koninklijke Zwanenberg Organon.
In 1969 these two were linked to the AKU, the Algemene Kunstzijde Unie,
and so Akzo was created. That was the beginning of European growth. In
Germany the Lesonal paint factory (established 1858) was purchased and
Astral (established 1855) was bought in France. Together with the Sikkens
group, these three formed Akzo Coatings. The companies combined their
many years of experience, which resulted in integration of production
and distribution and a broadening and improvement of the offering.
New products and many more colors
We will not go into detail here about all of the new products and systems
that Akzo Coatings developed for industry, in the field of car lacquers
and for use by the off-shore, aviation and space travel industries, etc.
If we limit ourselves to the novelties in the area of decorative coatings,
there is already more to report than fits on this site. Let us first
mention the arrival of the color mixing systems. This technique makes
it possible to create an almost endless number of colors in no time without
the need for additional expensive stocks, which means a more extensive
range and less cost. Not only do the painters profit from this; the DIY
market can also keep up with every fashion via the Flexa shopkeeper.
The modern mixing systems are even faster and more precise than the 'old'
ones thanks to computer technology.
The rapid changes of today
The linked international research of Akzo Coatings started up an ongoing
flow of new and improved products: Stronger transparent lacquers in the
'Filter 7' range, where small in-built mirrors prevent destructive UV
radiation; Water-based paint systems and 'High Solids' that reduce the
environmentally damaging emission of solvent substances; Interior paints
that produce special effects, and Systems for hard wearing, decorative
floor and wall finishing. The number of possibilities is so great that
even the expert has to refer to the documentation. Fortunately Akzo Coatings
has plenty of this. Do not, therefore, base your choice of paint on the
experience of last year, last week or even yesterday. The world of color
and paint, of protection and decoration changes by the day. There are
always surprising possibilities.
Akzo Nobel works worldwide
(Click the Akzo Nobel logo to visit the website.)
From the seventies onward, Akzo Coatings continued to grow by building
and purchasing factories in Western and Eastern Europe, in North and
South America, in Asia and in Africa. In 1993 a merger was created with
the Swedish corporation Nobel, which had specialized in lacquers and
varnishes since 1871. The good things from the past were retained despite
strong growth and the wide spread. The well known brand names were not
thrown away. Sikkens lacquers, Flexa DIY paints, Cetabever stains, Alpha
wall paints, they are still waiting ready for you, with tried and trusted
quality and in the latest colors. Smaller factories were closed for reasons
of efficiency and environmental care. This is why your stain no longer
comes from Beverwijk and your wall paint does not come from Alphen aan
den Rijn. The quality is guaranteed, however. Akzo Nobel continues to
feel very strongly about quality and service, just as Wiert Willem Sikkens
did in 1792.
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