AkzoNobel Wood Finishes and Adhesives' Pamela Martin, left, international color design manager, Milton Bryant, senior color stylist, and Bob Averett, international marketing manager, look at samples and product renderings in AkzoNobel's Color Styling Studio in High Point.HIGH POINT - Finish specialist AkzoNobel said it is opening its High Point Color Styling Studio here to designers and manufacturers from around the world.
The facility originally served Asian exporters who used it in the development of finishes for case goods and upholstery frames.
More recently, the company said it has found an increasing demand from designers as well as other manufacturers who wish to use Akzo's color technologies as they help develop product for specific clients.
"We found that our unique and comprehensive services were highly desirable to customers in other regions and market segments as well," said Keith Estes, director of the color studio in High Point. "Now that we've brought our world-renowned color styling resources together in High Point, all our customers can benefit from the unparalleled wood finishing services that have set AkzoNobel apart in the industry."
The team of finishing experts at the facility helps identify color fashion trends by researching the apparel industry, interior design and other trends in architecture. In addition, they apply various distressing techniques that help achieve a particular look the customer wants.
"Our customers rely on our ability to create a finishing system that can be replicated in their manufacturing operations - sometimes across multiple plants, with varying application equipment and production parameters," Estes said. "The color, sheen and quality have to be perfect on every batch, and that takes a team with a unique skill set that starts here in High Point, but carries across the entire Wood Finishes team around the world."
