AkzoNobel's excellence in Sourcing has been underlined by CPO Ton Geurts winning the Dutch procurement institute's (NEVI) CPO (Chief Procurement Officer) of the Year Award for 2008. The theme for 2008 was "from purchasing to a company-wide organization strategy".
Announced last week, Geurts was honored for his passion, his knowledge of AkzoNobel's international operations, the complexity of the changes he has implemented and the results he has achieved.
But according to Geurts - who joined AkzoNobel in January 2007 - the award is recognition for a major team effort throughout the company's sourcing discipline. "Receiving this honor reflects on the entire procurement organization within AkzoNobel and we are extremely pleased with this success," he said.
"Our long-term goal is to continue to create a cutting-edge organization which operates as a business partner for AkzoNobel and our suppliers. We will therefore continue to pursue ongoing value creation and innovation while creating real career paths for our dedicated team of purchasers."
Geurts beat three other finalists to the title, with the jury basing their decision on five main criteria - organization, field of activity, purchasing content, results and communication.
AkzoNobel is also one of three companies to have been shortlisted for the prestigious ProcureCon Award For Sustainability, which is being presented on November 5.
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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 - pro forma 2007 revenue totaled €14.4 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 60,000 employees - who are based in more than 80 countries - are committed to excellence and delivering Tomorrow's Answers Today(TM).
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