I went back to compare the leaders today (our 2007 report based on 2006 annual
year-end reporting data) with those from our 2002 report (based on 2001 annual
year-end data) to see what difference five years has made. The top four global
leaders have stayed in the same position and have all showed healthy gains in
the past five years. In 2001, Akzo Nobel had estimated global coatings sales of
$4.977 billion compared to $8.195 billion today (2006 year end). A healthy
increase indeed for a five-year period. PPG and Sherwin Williams also showed
healthy increases from five years ago ($4.412 and $4.002 billion respectively
in 2001). DuPont maintained its number-four position but did not show the same
percentage gains over the past five-year period.
ICI dropped from the number five position in 2002 to the number eight spot in
2007 ($3.247 billion in 2001 compared to $2.414 billion in 2006). BASF,
Valspar, SigmaKalon, RPM and Nippon Paint also showed good gains and maintained
their standings in the Global Top 10.