This comprehensive product and service line vows to fully support commercial painting contractors, facility managers/owners, and architects and specifiers.

Recently, AkzoNobel—the global paint and coatings company—announced the launch of the Glidden Professional ™ brand. This new brand replaces all existing architectural paint brands previously sold through AkzoNobel’s U.S.-company-owned stores and authorized dealers including ICI™, Dulux®, and Glidden™.

After extensive market research with thousands of customers and prospects nationwide, AkzoNobel was led to build a single brand that was 100% dedicated to the commercial market and the business needs of the professional. “Our team has been excited to see the realization of this new brand, which has been more than a year in the making,” says Harris Cloutier, vice president, Glidden Professional Paint Centers. “We listened to customers from all segments of the commercial market—contractors, architects, specifiers, facility owners, and managers—and have acted on what we have learned.”

In addition to the simplified product line, all company-owned stores—formerly known as ICI Paints Stores—will be rebranded in a phased rollout with the name Glidden Professional Paint Center. The brand will also encompass a wide variety of programs and services to support the commercial market. These are organized under four key strategic areas:

1. Collaborative Business Building

The Glidden Professional brand has formed a strategic advisory council comprised of large painting contractors. This council meets bi-annually to share ideas, spread best-in-class processes, and help steer the Glidden Professional response to business challenges.

2. Best-For-Task Products

The Glidden Professional brand is committed to providing customers with the best assortment of products tailored to their specific applications. That means taking into account regional conditions and codes, material and color trends, and varying application techniques. The Glidden Professional brand will also conduct ongoing competitive benchmarking to ensure that products remain competitive.

3. Commercial Service Experience

The selection of tools and support available at a Glidden Professional Paint Center are purpose-built for commercial painting contractors and their professional clients. The innovative distribution network puts 90% of the U.S. population within one hour of any store. This commitment to uninterrupted supply ensures that customers get the largest volume of paint in the shortest amount of time.

4. Eco-Leadership

In today’s environmentally conscious world, customers expect sustainable solutions. The Glidden Professional brand’s commitment to sustainability has a longstanding history, which includes the introduction of the first No-VOC (volatile organic compounds) latex paint more than 10 years ago. In addition, AkzoNobel has earned a toptwo position for the past five years running on the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability World Indexes (DJSI). This commitment to eco-leadership remains a top priority.

About Glidden Professional Paint Centers

AkzoNobel’s portfolio of Glidden Professional™ branded paints are sold through Glidden Professional Paint Centers and authorized independent dealers across the United States. In addition to paints and related products, Glidden Professional Paint Centers offer contractors expert advice to simplify product selection, delivery and job site cleanup. To learn more, visit www.gliddenprofessional.com.

About AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel is proud to be one of the world’s leading industrial companies. Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we make and supply a wide range of paints, coatings and specialty chemicals – 2009 revenue totaled €13.9 billion. In fact, we are the largest global paints and coatings company. As a major producer of specialty chemicals we supply industries worldwide with quality ingredients for life’s essentials. We think about the future, but act in the present. We’re passionate about introducing new ideas and developing sustainable answers for our customers. That’s why our 57,000 employees – who are based in more than 80 countries – are committed to excellence and delivering Tomorrow’s Answers Today™.

About AkzoNobel’s U.S. Decorative Paints Business (Akzo Nobel Paints LLC)

Within its U.S. paints business, Akzo Nobel Paints LLC produces a portfolio of well respected brands, including Glidden, Glidden Professional, The Freshaire Choice, Ralph Lauren Paint, Devoe and Martha Stewart Living paints; Flood, Sikkens and Synteko wood care products; plus Liquid Nails adhesives and caulks. Products are sold through company stores, national/retail outlets, distributors and independent dealers in the United States and Puerto Rico and are exported internationally.