Akzo Nobel has appointed a new Southern Sales Manager, Derrick Griffin who comes to the company after 11 years at PPG.

With an extensive industry background totalling 30 years, Derrick’s experience and knowledge look set to bring tremendous benefits to Akzo Nobel’s customers. His role at PPG was that of Major Accounts Manager, responsible for bodyshop groups and networks in the South West and Wales. At Akzo Nobel Derrick will oversee a team of five regional sales managers throughout the South of England.

Explaining why he joined the company, Derrick comments, “Akzo Nobel is in a dynamic, powerful phase. I’ve come across the products more and more over the last year and have been extremely impressed by the quality, and also from the feedback I’ve had from Sikkens customers. Despite being a big organisation, the company also has that family feel which I anticipate will make it a great place to work.”

Derrick sees 2008 as another tight year for the bodyshop industry. “The period of consolidation will continue, with more acquisitions and mergers" he comments. “The bodyshops will be more and more driven by the needs of insurance approvals – this is already happening and will only intensify. Akzo Nobel is in a strong position to meet the ever more demanding requirements of bodyshops through this period.”