First phase underway in Southampton
Awlgrip and International, two of AkzoNobel’s leading yacht brands, continue to set the standard in customer support and innovation with its new Application Research Centre (ARC), a world-class centre of excellence offering a cutting edge location to trial and test products, systems and technology alongside first-rate product application training.
AkzoNobel has invested in a new extension of the Yacht Paint Application Center (YPAC) located in Southampton, UK, to provide new innovative products, applications and techniques to professional and DIY applicators. The project has been split into three phases and is due to be completed in 2025.
In early spring, two new spray booths and an adjoining laboratory were brought online as part of the first phase of development, offering an opportunity for applicators to work with AkzoNobel to help improve their efficiency and enhance their application skills while also increasing capacity for the onsite R&D team to fast track new product development and improve response times to customer queries. The new facility, designed in combination with long term technology product roadmaps, will also explore how robotic applications could be used to help improve productivity and repeatable quality.
Site manager and R&D section leader, Gareth Thomas, said: “This is a huge redevelopment project with enormous ambition achieved ensuring 95% of materials replaced have been either repurposed or recycled.
“The team behind the project have brought innovation to the planning and execution of the build and the finish is outstanding. The site pushes the boundaries and will further establish AkzoNobel’s position in the heart of the yacht community for years to come.”
