McLaren Group announces new partnership with AkzoNobel

The McLaren Group is extremely proud to announce a new partnership with the world’s largest coatings company: AkzoNobel. The spirit behind this new Partnership is that of shared corporate culture and values, which have laid the foundation for an irrepressible desire to pursue the same path together.

The Dutch organisation already enjoys a hugely successful relationship with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team, but this new partnership will see both parties share their passion for innovation and technology in the pursuit of new high-performance commercial products for AkzoNobel.

“Our innovative capabilities are well suited to McLaren’s high performance requirements,” said AkzoNobel CEO, Hans Wijers. “The shared knowledge we have gained from the existing partnership has already enabled us to translate 80 percent of the tailor-made solution supplied to McLaren Racing into a commercial value proposition for AkzoNobel customers. Now, with an exciting new agreement in place, we will look to further build on the pioneering work which both companies are currently carrying out to develop a next generation of superior coatings products.”

Ron Dennis, chairman of the McLaren Group, added: “As a group, we always strive to create productive, synergistic relationships with our partners – and our partnership with AkzoNobel is no exception. We share a passion for technical performance developed on the very cutting-edge – and this partnership will, I’m sure, prove hugely beneficial to both parties.”

The new deal will also see an enhanced relationship with the Formula 1 team.

The partnership was formed in 2008 and has seen Vodafone McLaren Mercedes working with AkzoNobel Automotive and Aerospace Coatings to create pioneering new production procedures and a suitably refined series of high-gloss finishes and super-lightweight coatings for the team’s Formula 1 cars.

AkzoNobel’s in-depth consultancy and advice has enabled Vodafone McLaren Mercedes to minimise weight and increase efficiency while maintaining the appearance of the team’s striking rocket red livery.

Accordingly, as the team’s official paint solutions partner, the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-26 car will now carry the corporate logo of the Dutch chemical company on the rear wing endplate.

The corporate relationship has now been extended for another four years and will see AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings work closely with the Formula 1 team to further refine and develop the company’s products – a relationship that will naturally cascade down into the commercial market.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: “Both AkzoNobel and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes have enjoyed the strong mutual benefits of working together since we first announced our relationship in 2008.

“We value AkzoNobel’s incredible expertise within the field of high-technology coatings, and have derived significant benefits from their knowledge in lightweight coatings and rapid finishing techniques – values that have had reduced the production time of crucial components as well as improving our performance through effective weight management.

“For the future, I strongly believe that the joint-expertise we have gained through working together will enable us to maintain AkzoNobel’s leading position as a developer of high-technology coatings, will ensure Vodafone McLaren Mercedes remains at the competitive vanguard in Formula 1, and that we’ll continue to derive strong benefits for both parties.”