TROY, MI - Akzo Nobel's Decorative Coatings North America business unit has assumed direct responsibility for North American marketing and manufacturing of the company's Synteko brand of premium wood-floor coatings, and has established separate profit centers for Synteko and the Sikkens brand of wood-care products. Akzo Nobel has sold Synteko products in North America through an independent distributor for more than 20 years.

The actions are designed to expand the Decorative Coatings business "by intensifying our focus and allocating greater marketing, sales and distribution resources to support the two brands," said Theo Bouwens, general manager of the Decorative Coatings North America business.

The business unit has named Antonio Leandres and Gerry Koutavas Profit Center managers for the Synteko and Sikkens brands, respectively. They will direct sales, sales-support, technical-support, and marketing functions for their brands.