ARNHEM, the Netherlands - Akzo Nobel has taken a significant step to strengthen its position in the North American wood-coatings market with the acquisition of Ohio-based, privately held Flood Company, the biggest independent woodcare business in the United States. Akzo Nobel is the global market-share leader in coatings.

Established in Ohio in 1847, The Flood Company specializes in high-quality exterior wood finishes. The deal will substantially increase Akzo Nobel's existing share of the U.S. woodcare market. Flood's annual sales turnover is about $55 million.

"Following on from the acquisition of Sico, Canada's leading decorative coatings company, this transaction allows Akzo Nobel to exploit another attractive segment of the North American coatings market," explained Hans Wijers, Akzo Nobel CEO and member of the board of management responsible for Coatings.